Fees + Budgeting

A common mistake is to treat the construction cost as the full project cost. In reality, the builder’s price is only one part of the overall investment.

For most residential projects, the total project budget may include:

• building works

• demolition and site preparation

• architectural fees

• structural engineering

• survey, geotechnical, bushfire, hydraulic or other consultants where required

• planning, certification and approval costs

• BASIX / NatHERS assessment

• authority fees and service connections

• contingency

• landscaping, loose furniture, appliances and client-supplied items

Understanding these costs early helps avoid designing beyond the available budget and then trying to reduce the project later, when time, money and confidence have already been spent.

Every project is different, but the following percentages can be useful as an early guide when thinking about a total project budget.

Building contract 65-75%

Architectural fees 8-12%

Consultants, approvals and certification 4-8%

Contingency 8-12%

Landscaping, loose items and client-supplied items 5-10%

These figures are not fixed percentages and should not be read as a quotation. They are intended as a practical starting point for understanding how a total project budget is usually distributed.

For example, if a client has a total project budget of $750,000, this does not usually mean a $750,000 building contract. Once professional fees, consultants, approvals, contingency and other project costs are allowed for, the construction budget may be closer to $500,000–$575,000.

Our fees are based on the size, complexity and scope of each project.

For full residential architectural services, fees commonly sit in the range of 8–12% of the construction cost, depending on the nature of the work and the level of involvement required.

Some projects require a full service from early concept design through documentation, approvals, tendering and construction stage advice. Others may require a more tailored scope.

Before commencing design work, we prepare a written fee proposal that clearly sets out:

• the agreed scope of services

• project stages

• fee structure

• likely consultant requirements

• key assumptions

• exclusions

• recommended next steps

Most projects move through a staged process.

01 Pre-design

We review the site, brief, planning controls, likely approval pathway and broad budget expectations. This stage helps establish whether the project ambition, constraints and budget are aligned before detailed design work begins.

02 Concept design

We test the broad architectural direction of the project: planning, scale, light, orientation, landscape connection, material character and overall approach. This is where the key ideas of the project are established.

03 Design development

The preferred concept is refined with more detailed consideration of structure, materials, windows, joinery, services, consultant input and cost implications.

04 Approvals

Depending on the project, this may involve a Development Application, Complying Development Certificate or other approval pathway. We prepare the architectural documentation required for submission and coordinate the relevant consultants.

05 Construction documentation

More detailed drawings and schedules are prepared for pricing, construction and coordination with the builder and consultants.

06 Tendering / builder negotiation

We can assist in seeking prices from suitable builders, reviewing inclusions and exclusions, comparing tender returns and helping clients understand the cost implications of different decisions.

07 Construction stage advice

During construction, we can remain involved to answer builder queries, review details, attend site meetings, assess progress claims and help protect the design intent of the project.

We also offer Contract Administration depending upon the type of project, and requirements of the client.

Cost control is not achieved by choosing an arbitrary number at the beginning and hoping the design fits.

It requires judgement throughout the process: testing scope, understanding priorities, simplifying where needed, and making decisions before they become expensive changes on site.

It is essential that each project involves the expertise of a costing expert, and we encourage early builder or quantity surveyor engagement by the client where appropriate, particularly for complex renovations, difficult sites or projects with tight budgets.

Our role is not only to design, but to help clients make clear decisions about where money is best spent, where restraint is needed, and where a smaller move may create a larger improvement to daily life.

For many projects, the best first step is a focused pre-design and budget review.

This allows us to understand the site, brief, constraints and financial parameters before committing to a larger architectural process. It also gives clients a clearer sense of what may be possible, what risks need to be considered, and what level of service is likely to be required.

To discuss a potential project, please get in touch.