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How much should an architect or designer charge?

Is there a guideline - like 5% of the total budget?

I'm putting on a small addition to the second floor (over an existing 1st floor area) to enlarge the master bath, and remodeling the kitchen.

Update:

The architect wants 6.5%

The designer wants 2500 for the master bath and then 10% of the cabinet cost (which is applied to the cabinet cost if I buy from her).

This is an either/or - they'll duplicate each other, so I only need to hire one.

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    There are no guidelines. It really depends on what you are looking for. I know architects who can charge upwards of 20% for new construction, then there are those who undercuts everyone and charge around $3/s.f. You really shouldn't hire anyone without any recommendations. With an architect, you can always check with the State Board to see if he has any legal actions past and present against him. Designers are more difficult. You really don't have any legal recourse should they deliver conflicting drawings. Designers are people in the industry that have not passed the ARE and therefore not regulated by the State.

    In your situation, since it is a small project, I would recommend you talk to a builder. For small projects, you will not need the services of an architect. Unless you can get a recommendation from a friend, always check their licensed number with the Registrant of Contractors. You can sometimes ask them to do a design-build, where they will do all the drawings for you. This design fee gets absorbed into the construction fee and you can cover that with your construction loan. Should the designer mess up with the drawing, since he is contracted with the builder, you will have some legal recourse in that manner.

    I would never use anyone who charges a percentage for the material you select. In essence, you are being punished for picking something expensive.

  • 1 decade ago

    These types of charges can vary widely, but in general architects charge a percentage of the project for drawing plans and overseeing it. 5 to 7 percent is common in the Chicago area. Sometimes there is a separate fee for doing the construction drawings, then the percentage kicks in with the construction costs. With a designer, do you mean kitchen designer? Their fees often are bundled with the cabinet charge, if you're buying cabinets from them, but could be hourly -- anywhere from $40 to $125, depending on how high end the project is.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    Architect - designs the furnishings and area. (oftentimes has a minimum of 6-7 years of faculty coaching alongside with coaching in artwork, structural layout, besides as all eras or shape). dressmaker - makes use of you funds to purchase furnishings they think of is cool (which develop into designed by utilising an architect). does no longer would desire to have a level of any form. oftentimes an Architect could have an Engineeer on workforce which will evaluation and sign thier artwork.

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