what's the going charge of an architect

[kbaby]

Hi,

Were using an architect to do some remodeling work of our house and small extension. So far all we've asked them to do is design it so we get the best use of space and draw up plans and submit them for planning, they have told is today that to do this is £1,200 plus planning costs on top. I was a but taken aback at The cost but then I don't actually have any idea what the charges normally are.
Has anyone used an architect and if so would you mind letting me know approx how much did you pay or if the above cost is average.

Thanks

Not used one recently but the figure doesn't immediately make me go 'argh, what?'. But maybe it is a lot, I dunno.

Bumping for you anyway.

We paid £2600 for plans and building regs drawings plus £500 for Structural Engineer. Planning and Building Regs costs are separate.

We used one to do plans for our new garage (as it needed planning permission) and I think we paid £500 for the plans including him doing some stuff to get the plans approved. But we thought that was pretty cheap - the guy was a friend of a friend and is semi-retired so it wasn't full rate.

I don't think £1200 sounds outrageous, but I wouldn't know really.

I think thats ok - not brilliant. Assuming they are working around their own workings of £100 per hour.

If you want to do this cheaper you have to go to a one man band who is based from home (overheads cheaper) or go for an architect technician (not as qualified but usually perfect for planning stage). You can be cheeky and push it down we always do. There is a sliding scale that architects work to but its up to them to see whether this pretty easy work wont take up much of their time.

Architects are not cheap people to employ.

£100 an hour! That's clearly the occupational I should've trained for:)

Thanks for the replies at least I know that we aren't being over charged then. I wanted to use one so we didn't make any mistakes with the extension and spend more money down the years correcting the Crappy layout etc.
Hopefully they'll be worth it

£1300 for extension plans plus planning fees.

Does anyone know of any good architects working in the St Albans/Harpenden area? We are looking for someone to undertake a conversion project of a garage and extensive 2nd floor extension and loft conversion?

I am an architect and if they are a properly qualified architect thats not a bad quote but it would really depend what is being done - there is usually more to it than 'a few plans' and btw we don't earn anything like £100 an hour especially not on a domestic extension/remodel

It really really depends on the work you are doing and the complexity, small jobs especially refurbs can be more complicated than a simple new build - real architects rarely make a mint on their chosen profession.
I am very senior and my charge out rate is £79 an hour but I rarely do anything on an hourly basis - we usually fix a price or a % of the full costs of the work.

I would recommend a real architect rather than a technician/ draftsman/ architectural designer - we legally have to be registered , fully qualified, and insured so you can be assured that the person who is working on your project has a minimum 7yrs training and is insured if they do anything wrong. You can also complain to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) - if you think we have done something wrong - you get none of this protection with the others.
You can check if your architect is a real one by popping their details on the ARB website.

I know that a lot of people think that architects are a waste of money but they are worth using to get it right, would you query the choice of using a real dr, a real solicitor - well your house is worth real money - getting the job done properly means that it won't be devalued by a bodge job if you cut corners.

If you would like to know more about using an architect or various architects in your area who deal with that type of work (I would recommend getting a few quotes - the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) website has a section www.architecture.com/UseAnArchitect/Home.aspx
don't be overwhelmed by architects who do big jobs there are plenty out there who do homes too.