How Much Does an Architect Cost in 2025?
A clear, practical guide for homeowners planning a renovation, extension, or heritage project
If you’ve started exploring a renovation, extension, or the purchase of a home, you’ve probably typed the question into Google: “How much does an architect cost?”
You might expect a straightforward answer — but the reality is that just as every project is unique, so are the fees to reflect that. Architect fees vary widely from one practice to another, and for good reason:
· There’s no industry standard pricing — only rough percentage ranges, which have their own limitations (we’ll explain why).
· Every project, site, and client brief is different.
· Each architect offers a different level of service, design detail, and project involvement.
This guide draws on my experience running Studio Elle Architecture, specialising in listed buildings, period homes, and countryside or coastal properties, to break down the main ways residential architects in the UK charge. We draw on our experience of architect services in Surrey, London, and the South West as well as industry knowledge. You’ll learn what’s typically included, how the project stages are priced, and how to make sure you’re comparing like-for-like proposals before committing.
How Architects Charge for Their Work
While details vary, most architects use one (or a combination) of these methods:
Percentage of the construction cost
The fee is a set percentage of your total build cost (often between 8–14% for full architectural services – more on this below!). This can work well for large projects where the scale is predictable and a clear cost is known from beginning (but when is it ever?). However, many homeowners start the design process without knowing the build cost — and that’s the biggest flaw in this pricing model. At Studio Elle, we rarely use percentage-based pricing for early stages because basing fees on arbitrary figures doesn’t seem fair to the Client.
Fixed lump sum
A clear, pre-agreed amount for a defined scope of work. This is the most transparent model for homeowners because you don’t need to know the final build cost before starting.The fees are simply charged on how much work the Architect believes it will take to deliver your project/stage. However, the key is a very thorough, itemised breakdown that spells out exactly what’s included and demonstrates understanding of your brief. This is our preferred approach at Studio Elle, as it allows for clarity, accurate budgeting, and no surprises for either party.
Hourly or daily rate
Billed for the actual time spent. This can be useful for small, ad-hoc tasks or additional site visits, but it’s harder to predict total cost. It’s often added as a flexible extra alongside fixed fees.
In reality, many architects use a blend — for example, a fixed fee for design and planning, a percentage for construction administration (once the cost is known), and hourly rates for optional extras.
The Three Main Stages of a Project (and How Fees Apply)
One of the clearest ways to understand fees is to look at the stages of work. At Studio Elle, we explain this to our Clients in three parts:
Stage 1: Design & Planning (RIBA 0–3)
This covers feasibility study, concept design and development, refining layouts, preparing your planning or listed building consent application and management of it.
Example: Say you are extending a townhouse (not listed, not in a conservation area), and we’re redesigning your ground floor only, the design and planning stage might cost around £8,000-10,000 (always clarify with your architect whether their fees attract VAT or not!). This would be fully itemised — from initial sketches to planning submission.
Stage 2: Technical Design (RIBA 4)
Once planning is granted, the proposal is turned into detailed technical drawings for tendering to contractors – remember that no contractor can build from Planning drawings. Technical stage is highly detailed, involving coordination with structural engineers, building control, and suppliers. It’s more labour-intensive than the design stage, and for our townhouse example, might cost around £12,000-15,000. It is after this stage that the homeowners finally get to know the exact building cost – as no contractor can meaningfully price without technical information and full schedule of works.
Stage 3: Construction (RIBA 5)
If your architect is involved during the build, they’ll oversee the works, liaise with the contractor, check quality, and administer the contract. At this point, charging as a percentage of the confirmed build cost (e.g., 4–5%) is fair, as the actual cost is now known.
What’s Included (and What’s Not)
When comparing quotes, make sure you know what you’re getting. Common exclusions (true for most practices) include:
· Local authority planning fees
· Structural engineer and specialist consultant fees
· Party wall surveyor costs
· 3D visualisations or interior design (unless stated)
Questions to Ask Your Architect
If I were engaging an architect for my own dream home, I’d want to know exactly what I was getting for my money. Here are some good questions to ask:
1. How is your fee calculated? Fixed, percentage, hourly, or a mix? Why?
2. What’s included — and excluded — in that fee?
3. Do I need to allow for VAT on top?
4. How do you split the stages of work? (e.g., design, technical, construction)
5. Can I pause between stages?
6. Will you be my main point of contact throughout? Does my project go to an assistant?
7. How do you handle changes or additions to the scope?
A strong proposal should answer these in detail without you needing to chase for clarification. At Studio Elle, our fee proposals are designed to give you that level of transparency before you sign.
Choosing the Right Architect (and the Right Fee Proposal)
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” fee — each architect will price differently, and each project demands a bespoke proposal. From projects and Clients in London to Surrey Hills, Witlshire and beyond, a good fee proposal should be itemised, clear, and tailored to your brief. At Studio Elle, our proposals also include:
· A breakdown of your scope and deliverables
· Past project examples for context
· Transparent costs for each stage, so you can stop or pause between phases if needed
Whether you choose us or another architect, the principle is the same: clarity at the outset means fewer surprises later.
Final Thoughts
Architect fees aren’t just a cost — they’re an investment in your home’s quality, functionality, and long-term value. Understanding how they’re structured will help you choose the right architect, compare proposals fairly, and plan your budget with confidence.
If you’re planning a renovation, extension, or heritage home purchase, you can explore our projects and get in touch here for a tailored, fully itemised proposal.
For more tips and behind-the-scenes updates, follow @studio.elle.architecture on Instagram.
