How much does an architect cost to help plan an extension?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

We are planning on doing an extension in about a year or two. I just saw an advert for a local architect for a free hours consultation, I am thinking that might be good just to get some ideas? What do you think they would do in that time and how much would it roughly cost for an architects services over the duration of a 2 storey extension?

Ta

[cathcat]

I can't give you a precise answer but my friend had an architect draw up plans for an extension and she said it was very expensive.
Perhaps with the recession though they would be very keen for your business?
You have to get planning permission too which runs out after a certain set period if you have not completed the project. Not sure if that affects the architect's side of it though.

[CybilLiberty]

We paid a guy from Yorkshire (we live in London) about £800 for drawings for our kitchen extension. I had been quoted double that from local architects/builders.

[Natalia175]

Hi
We paid £1.400 for a single story kitchen extension in south west london. This was the best qoute(other qoutes were from £1.500 to £3,000).

[ampere]

I'd be inclined to consult builders direct. Unless you're wanting something really 'architect-y' and unusual, I suspect a builder will be able to come up with the ideas and direct you to a draughtsman who can draw up the plans.

By all means get some ideas from the architect but I don't think it's worth getting architect designed plans done up.

[cece]

Our 2 storey on the side and 1 storey across the back extension cost over £2,000 for the architect's fees but that included him sending out the plans and getting quotes for us.

[morningpaper]

ours costs £2,000 for plans for a £50k extension

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Wow pretty pricey, I didn't realise it would be so much. We actually already have planning permission (it came with the house which we bought 2 years ago) and I'm sure it was granted in Dec 2006 so when would it expire then? Dec 2011? And is that date for the start of work or the completion?

Plus I don't like the granted internal plans- the prev owners wanted to put a family room next to the kitchen but I would prefer to knock down the wall and have a big kitchen / living space instead, would be need to reapply for permission to do that?

[Anifrangapani]

For the High Peak - I can't say for other areas it is 3 years to breaking ground not finishing. Call your local planning office.

As for the second question it depends if it a material consideration and again varies area to area.

[jrg67]

I am an RIBA Chartered Architect of 19yrs post qualification experience. You employ an architect to be "in your corner", an architect's role in terms of design is to try to surpass your initial expectations and to save you money in the longer term. A rule of thumb method for calculating a fee is based on the floor area of the works. You may anticpate fees for works to existing building to be cheaper than building new, but the opposite is generally the case as there are complications in working with existing buildings, and potential unforseen problems, once existing constructions are opened up.