Architect Fees in the UK: What to Expect and How to Budget

Architect fees in the UK are not standardised — different practices charge in different ways and at different rates. Understanding how fees work will help you budget accurately and make a fair comparison between quotes.

The most common fee structures are: percentage of construction cost (typically 8–15% for full architectural services on a residential project); lump sum fixed fees (common for smaller, well-defined projects); and stage fees (fixed fees for each stage of work, allowing you to stop at any point). All of these have advantages and disadvantages.

At TYA Builds, as a design and build practice, our architectural fees are typically lower than those of a traditional independent architect, because we recover margin on the construction as well as the design. We can therefore offer highly competitive combined design and build packages that represent excellent value compared with appointing an architect and a builder separately.

Expect to pay broadly: £1,500–£4,000 for a feasibility study or planning drawing package for a modest extension; £5,000–£15,000 for full architectural services on a £50,000–£150,000 extension project; and 8–12% of construction cost for full architectural services on a new build or major project.