Any advice please? Architect Quote

[KittyKK]

Any thoughts please on following architect firm quote? It is a big renovation of a period property, so a sizeable spend on professional fees... I need the project management element. Interested to know thoughts on the proposed percentage charges. Thanks!

£1.5k for detailed digital survey of existing house plans and elevations;
3.5% of budget estimate for sketch proposals, final drawing and submission of planning application;
3.5% of construction costs for construction drawing, seeking/obtaining fixed price tenders from contractors and submitting building regs application;
£2k for structural engineer at construction drawing stage;
Hourly rates (total estimated approx 3-4% of contract figure) for project management, including finalising contracts, site inspections, certification of payments (through to snagging/completion/6-month defects inspection).

Plus VAT, plus usual disbursements (planning application fees etc).

[johnd2]

Try to get everything as either a percentage or fixed. Anything that is an hourly rate is a big risk for you as they have more control of the work then you.
Regarding the project management it may be cheaper to get a separate project manager as they will be a lot cheaper than the architect.
Costs do seem on the high side but not ridiculously so.

[KittyKK]

Thanks @johnd2. That’s great advice about fixing the percentage for the project management fee. Otherwise, I’ll be questioning every visit/call etc, as it is racking up an hourly charge, plus travel expenses etc!

[NataliaOsipova]

We thought we needed project management.....but we found an excellent builder. He essentially was the project manager - sorting out all the relevant tradesmen etc. Is this an option for you to look at? Whereabouts are you based?

[teaiseverything]

DH is a project manager. I'd thoroughly suggest getting a project manager in, separate from the architectural company. It's best to have fresh eyes and a couple of different approaches/sets of eyes on something. Alternatively, get an extremely competent foreman with thorough experience in analysing and making changes to drawings. I tend to find the architects get stuck on their vision whereas a PM will ensure tweaks go to plan and a budget is stuck to as much as possible.