architect costs...

[Annabel7]

We are hoping to extend our house out the back (single storey), add a downstairs loo and an internal wall. The quote for the architect's fee is about £5.5k incl. VAT. Seems a bit steep to me but I've not used one before. Will get a couple of other quotes in but just wondered if this sounds about right. I was very impressed by the architect and he was recommended to me. Any advice much appreciated..

What are you getting for £5.5k?

£5.5K

Look at RIBA website. Is that a lump sum or percent of build?

No, no percentage of build. It covers - Survey (£700), RIBA stage A&B sketches (£800), RIBA stages C&D - detailed design (£1,200), RIBA stages E&F building regs (£1,800) plus VAT...

Sounds steep to me!

I have just had a survey and double extention designed by a local architect who is RIBA, and it cost £800, including an engineeers report for a tricky support we needed in a load bearing wall.

If you need planning permission the standard fee is £175 in our area.

Hmmm - does seem like we are being charged over the odds. Blending, do you mind me asking whereabouts you live?

Liverpool. I used this www.theplancentre.co.uk/index.html

The cover a lot of the North West.

It does sound a lot. Is it a listed building or in a conservation area? Anything specialist?

Just had a 2nd floor extension and porch drawn by architect, cost me £750 then £172 for planning permission. That price is shocking!!!

I live in Kent btw.

Thanks everyone. Not listed, not in conservation area or specialist. It's a 1960's semi. Crikey - I really need to shop around. Think of all the furnishings I could buy if I can cut £3k off that! We are in South Bucks - so would be great if anyone can recommend someone...

I am an architect and tbh it really depends what they are doing for you. I don't do lots of domestic work but I've quoted a similar price for a job but it involved a complicated layout, lots of design options and lots of handholding through the build. All of this meant hours and hours of work stretching out over nine months (design, planning & build). I barely covered costs.
If you just want plans drawing of something you already know you want, and no input past that then yes you probably can get someone cheaper.

Thanks Wonkylegs. Yes, thanks to the initial consultation with the architect, we now have a clear idea of what we are after so we'll go back and see if we can get them down. If not, we'll shop around a little. Thanks.

also worth noting that the company linked above doesn't say that its an architect. it says architecture consultant which usually means they're not architects which is probably why they're cheaper.

if you're shopping around & want an architect, make sure that's what you're getting.

You don't necessarily need an architect for a simple build. A draftsman is a lot cheaper and can do it too.