Internet Know How Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Hey everyone, My Architect has proposed a fee for building a 420sqm house with an assumed build cost of £150/sqft. Whist I know I can build cheaper than that, I am wondering what your thoughts are on his design fees. I have had no other design estimates from anyone else. I have seen this firms plans and they are a reputable trustworthy provider. Initial Planning 1. Preparation Initial meetings, collation of brief, collation of background information and collation of existing site information. £500.00. 2. Concept Design Prepare scheme proposals in consultation with client and amend. £3,375.00 3. Developed Design Prepare CAD proposals for the site including:- • Liaise with client to agree design • Location Plan • Site Plan • Floor Plans • Elevations • Roof Plan • Design and Access Statement • 3D images • Co-ordinate consultants / reports Submit Full Planning Application £7,125.00 TOTAL: £11k + VAT Post Planning 4 Technical Design Technical design for Building Regulation application Pre-construction Planning Conditions. Liaise with other consultants. £10,500.00 5 Construction Preparation of construction information, co-ordination of other design information, issue of contract documents and site visits/ meetings during the construction phase to monitor progress and identify compliance with the contract documents. . £3,500.00 (dont think I need this as I am self managing the build, contractors and materials myself) 6 Handover Pre-occupation planning conditions and as built information. Allows for additional site visit. £500.00 TOTAL: £11k + VAT (not included item 5 above as not needed) FULL TOTAL: £22k + VAT (£26,400 all in) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Normally you would expect 8-13% of project cost for full service. This article may be helpful. https://acarchitects.biz/self-build-architect-cost/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 why do concept, developed design, and technical design all look the same to me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Whether or not you can build it yourself cheaper isn't really much to do with how the architect is pricing it, they will be working off estimated build costs, I'd say its a cheap fee for that size of house... If you don't do stage 5, you probably won't get stage 6 for that fee (or at all) as it relies on tracking the changes throughout the build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliG Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) That's below the architect's scale of charges I would say. That will only be the start of the fees. You will need soil surveys, SE etc, easily another £10k. Edited September 6, 2020 by AliG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 4 hours ago, dpmiller said: why do concept, developed design, and technical design all look the same to me? concept and developed are probably just their way of breaking down a huge cost. Technical design is filling out all the building regulations design forms basically and any other pre-requisite for building regs process Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 1 hour ago, AliG said: That's below the architect's scale of charges I would say. That will only be the start of the fees. You will need soil surveys, SE etc, easily another £10k. Ok thats good to hear....and his cost is based on 4500 sqft plus basement of 200 sqm max. On the ground, its not that far from the beach, and all new builds in this area get piled for this reason. However, as I want a basement, a full basement slab with no piling would be sufficient. If I only go with a part basement, I would end up having to pile parts of the footprint, so it's just easier to go with the full raft. Based on the reply from my architect, maybe the council will add in pre-conditions so it looks like I may have to include one of these (Architect): I would suggest getting an infiltration test done so that a surface water drainage design can be done by an engineer - otherwise you will just be left having to go through a 6 week process to discharge a pre-commencement condition before you can do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 This sounds like a reasonable fee and it is reassuring that they are trusted and reputable. Some architects I have dealt with have slightly bizarre ideas or agendas and can be difficult to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 7, 2020 Author Share Posted September 7, 2020 4 hours ago, Mr Punter said: This sounds like a reasonable fee and it is reassuring that they are trusted and reputable. Some architects I have dealt with have slightly bizarre ideas or agendas and can be difficult to deal with. ok thanks, its reassuring to hear others like yourself think this fee is reasonable. I didnt know what to expect from an Architects fee, so appreciate the time to reply to my thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash_scotland88 Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 It reads like it's priced based on the RIBA plan of works stages. And reads like a decent break down of what's is what and how much. You may need the architect to get the ball rolling for stage 5 before you take over as PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 On 08/09/2020 at 10:58, ash_scotland88 said: It reads like it's priced based on the RIBA plan of works stages. And reads like a decent break down of what's is what and how much. You may need the architect to get the ball rolling for stage 5 before you take over as PM. Yeah now I am more informed, thats to yourself and others here, I do feel like I am getting a good price for the service. I am at 650sqm now overall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshine Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 13 minutes ago, Internet Know How said: I am at 650sqm now overall Is that price still valid? As you have pretty increased by 50%. It seems like a good price. Btw what are you building? An oligarch residence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, Moonshine said: Is that price still valid? As you have pretty increased by 50%. It seems like a good price. Btw what are you building? An oligarch residence? Well yeah its about 420sqm plus basement, so we are up at near 650sqm overall of potential living/useable internal space. yes I am trying to build the biggest house possible for a plot. Anything can be done with time, patience, and plenty of £££ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 On 06/09/2020 at 10:53, Internet Know How said: My Architect has proposed a fee for building a 420sqm house with an assumed build cost of £150/sqft. definitely check what's happening to the fee by adding that much area - all of my appointments state that the fee is updated as we go if it's based on a square meter rate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 1 minute ago, Internet Know How said: Well yeah its about 420sqm plus basement, so we are up at near 650sqm overall of potential living/useable internal space. yes I am trying to build the biggest house possible for a plot. Anything can be done with time, patience, and plenty of £££ and also make sure your architect has appropriate PI cover for basements! this year there are a lot of caveats in renewals... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 The initial quote is priced on what I mentioned above so nothing will change at this point unless I go bigger ground levels upwards. I may have some adhoc visits to pay for and general guidance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 Just now, the_r_sole said: and also make sure your architect has appropriate PI cover for basements! this year there are a lot of caveats in renewals... why would he need the PI cover though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, Internet Know How said: why would he need the PI cover though? Architects are required to have appropriate insurance in place, it's determined in the code of conduct. Our premium doubled this year for the same level of cover and that was without the cover for basements! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, the_r_sole said: Architects are required to have appropriate insurance in place, it's determined in the code of conduct. Our premium doubled this year for the same level of cover and that was without the cover for basements! Ah right, ok. Just checked their fee proposal document and it does say they have full PI coverage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Just now, Internet Know How said: Ah right, ok. Just checked their fee proposal document and it does say they have full PI coverage but did it include a basement at that stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 1 minute ago, the_r_sole said: but did it include a basement at that stage? Yes that always been included from the beginning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Just now, Internet Know How said: Yes that always been included from the beginning so you haven't added any floor area to what they quoted for?! confusing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 I am not sure where you are in the country but that is a very large house and the fees look very very low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 I’ve spoken to the architect that we used on the first one He’s stated about 1800-2000 design and planning Plus LP fees mans about the same for working drawings material submission etc They have quite a few large jobs on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Internet Know How Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, the_r_sole said: so you haven't added any floor area to what they quoted for?! confusing... main house floor footprint is about ground: 200 1st floor: 140 Top floor: 85 give or take a bit. Basement ads on another 200 or so I do have the SE costs to add on here though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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