(Admin update) - Due to the broad range of projects, we’re going to clarify this question to focus on a typical residential project.
I’m working with a small but reputable firm and they’re charging me 10% of the project cost, which we’re estimating at $100,000 so their fee is $10,000. Additional work outside the initial scope will be billed at $75 per hour, which seems reasonable to me.
It really depends on how custom it is. Many people thinking of building a custom home really are doing a variant of what has been done before. The architect can use many details he has developed with only minor modifications. For an archtiect who really details the project (and what archtiects consider complete drawings varies very widely). I would say for this type of project 6% for architectural.structural, 8% if including HVAC and electrical which are often excluded, and 2-3% for construction phase services depending on location and scope.
Others want something totally unique and most details have to be developed from scratch. In this case 15% or more would be required.
Key questions to ask are for CONTRACTOR references. Contractors will tell you if an archtiect is any good from a cost control, constructability, and work relationship basis. Clients and magazines can best evaluate design flair. Only clients can testify as to how livable and workable their homes turned out to be.
Deciding on Cost Alone is a huge mistake. Throoughness takes a lot more time. Architects with a lot of experience tpically are in a stage of life where their family financial needs requires them to earn more. Ask who actually will be doing the work. If you hire a big name and an inexperienced person is actually drawing it, LOOK OUT.
While 10% seems like a lot of money ( and it is! ), consider that the architectural fees often include additional fees such as structural, civil and electrical/mech engineering which many times account for as much as half of the fee. Also consider in comparison, realtors as much as 6-8% for merely listing a home for sale and coordinating the paperwork.
Choosing an architect should be an important step worth the time investment. After all, we are responsible for not just the technical construction/permit plans that guide the contractor, but more importantly the QUALITATIVE aspects of the home…the intangible that makes you feel comfortable when you are watching a movie, smile when you pull in the drive, and capture that view, place that switch, solve your storage problem, or whatever else you envision that makes a house YOUR home…
I’m good…designed over 4730 projects from a simple wall removal to 32000sf industrial building, new, used, houses, commercial all solo since 1973…and been only sued once, my second year due to my obstinance…Today, my services for providing '‘only the drawings’ for a typical 300K home would be in the 4-8k range. The design would not be a weird, one-of-a-kind, signature design like a FLW or Gaudi but a reasonable, common sense, contemporary or “period” style and would include my doing the structurals(I built 57 projects to date so I’m well aware of stupid design=stupidly high fees and building costs).In all these years, I have never selected the finishes, my clients have done the interiors, the exteriors, selecting, decorative stuff, to date!..by the way in nj, licensed electrians , plumbers can do their own design and seal, hvac can be done by anyone (clients save a few bucks here).I’m happy with my fees, too!
The difference of $5,000 cost between 2 architects for a $300k house is a pittance. Which one has a better portfolio and which one seems to be easier to work with. Your Architect can raise the value of your home by 10’s of thousands.
The cost of design is only the begining of the process and everything after that is affected but the the quality, buildability and affordability of that design. Pick someone with experience. That said, in my area not many Licensed Architects do residential design, because they cannot charge enough to make money doing it. The location and/or community also makes a difference. In Lake Tahoe you have additional issues to deal with that complicate the process (and thus add to the fee).
You have a few different disiplines that all are combined by a good designer. These different areas include: Architectural Design, Structural Design, Civil Design (Grading + Topo), Title 24 (if in CA) and TARP calculations (in the Tahoe Basin). The other factor is the square footage of the project. The larger the footage the more the fee can be spread over the project (ie all the same drawings have to be done on a 1000 sf house or a 4000 sf house), so a small house will cost more on a sf basis than a larger home.
Most of the projects in the Tahoe Basin go for around 5$ per sf for the above services. But when you are looking at a small project (like you are looking at) it will be more. Most of the Tahoe projects start at $250$/sf to build, so I am assuming you are doing a 1200 sf cabin. That is unless you are in a more developed subdivision where you will not need to jump all the hurdles involved.
The other comment that said talk to the contractors is a good place to start, they know the area, the requirements and the quality/buildability of the finished design. Ask a lot of questions, there are no bad questions.
It’s a good idea to have a Builder involved before hiring an Architect, Builder will guide you thru a cost effective design and realistic expectations. Good Architect can save you money and time.
There is a caveat to your question. One always wants to hire a “good” architect… or even a “great” architect. Try not to hire the bad ones.
Curious to know how it turned out for you?