How much will the design cost?
Building and design projects encompass a diverse range of complexities and scales. Due to the unique nature of each project, accurately predicting the required input from an Architect at the outset is often challenging, except in the most straightforward cases. To accommodate this variability, we customize our fee proposals to suit the specific needs of each project. The information provided below serves as a general guide. For a more accurate understanding of potential costs and fees, we encourage you to reach out and discuss your project with us.

Guide to Domestic Project Costs

Overall Project Costs: Building costs are largely dependent on the size, shape and simplicity/ complexity of the building, and any restrictions on the construction, site accessibility and working space, materials and timing. A 'contract sum' agreed with a builder might be within a range of £2,500- £3,500 per square metre (excluding VAT and other fees) as an indicative range for domestic build projects in 2025. Regions in the UK will vary significantly depending on local labour rates and access issues.
for more information, check out regional construction cost variations

A rough total project budget should include the following, assuming a domestic extension £100,000 contract sum:

Cost of Land..................excluded
Contract sum ...............£100,000
VAT ................................£20,000 (20%)
Topographic survey.......£ 2,000 (estimate)
Statutory and other fees..£15-20,000 (15-20%)
Project Budget Total ....£150,000 ( £137k+10% contingency)

(VAT is currently applicable to work on existing houses not new build)

Architect Fees: For a standard domestic project we provide services on an ad-hoc basis. You can select the services you wish at each stage of the project. Architectural services are charged on a time basis at £90/hr per person. We do not currently charge VAT for Architectural services. A normal total architectural fee would be within 8%-12% of the nominal construction cost, depending on the complexity and scale of a domestic project. This breaks down roughly at each Project stage, say, for a notional 12% fee for project above:
RIBA stage 1-3 up to planning application ..........⅓ fee (£4,000)
RIBA stage 4 technical design up to contract.......⅓ fee (£4,000)
RIBA stage 5-6 contract administration ...............⅓ fee (£4,000)

This is an outline guide only, each project is unique. Please reach out to us to discuss building and associated costs.
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