How much are architect's fees in relation to build costs for a loft extension?

[OuchyMcOuch]

Because our loft conversion/extension is slightly complicated we are having to use an architect to fully design it. We've been quoted a fee of 14% of build costs which my mum (who used to work with architects quite a lot when she worked) say is very high. She thinks it should be nearer 6-8%.

Anyone have any ideas?

Our architect has flat fees. For each stage he charges accordingly. Free first visit to site. So then initial sketches, planning application and completed drawings etc.

why not shop around.

Where I used to work we charged 10% of contract sum for a full service, or sometimesa flat fee for a fixed scope of work plus an hourly rate for anything extra to that.

You might be able to negotiate, depending on how much of the service that they can provide (eg planning/building control permissions, construction drawings, project management) you actually want. And how complex, thus time consuming, a job they think it is.