Traditional ways of charging
The traditional way that Architects have billed for their services is as a percentage of the overall cost of a particular project. Usually this amounts to around 10% although this varies depending upon the size of the work to be undertaken (large projects may only be 8% whereas small domestic work could be 15% or more).
Planning & Construction Consultants usually charge for their services by the hour. This is done partly because the nature of the work, which is not always a complete construction project, makes this method more suitable. The main reason however is that it is simply a fairer way of charging clients for work done. It means that there is no benefit for designing for higher cost and it also means that the client retains control of how their money is spent.
Charges
So how much will it cost me?
Obviously that will depend upon exactly what you would like us to do. A straightforward planning application on a relatively modern house will require much less work than a complex change of use of commercial property.
What we do however is to give an estimate of the number of hours likely to be required to undertake the work requested. Experience has shown that we can be remarkably accurate with this. Even a short telephone discussion can usually lead to a fairly accurate figure. This enables you to know up front exactly where you stand. Why not give us a call and see, it might not cost as much as you expect.
Foxdale Design has a flat rate fee of £56.00 per hour applicable to all work regardless of it's nature.
We are happy to discuss the costs of your particular project in detail. Finally, we always set out our fees in writing along with an estimate of the time required before beginning any work.
Other costs
- Are there other charges?
-
Again it depends upon what we are doing for you. For simple planning applications there will be very little. There will generally be a Local Authority planning application fee to pay as well as an OS royalty fee. For more complex applications there are sometimes third party fees such as those payable to Defra although many of these items are only applicable when you have your permission granted.
When it comes to the construction work itself there may be costs such as Structural Engineers' fees but much domestic work can be done without these. We will always undertake to keep you abreast of all of these items and if you want to talk through them now then please give us a call.
- Fees set out in writing
-
Before we begin work on any particular project we always set out our fees in writing so that you know exactly where you stand before we begin. Call us now and tell us what your plans are and see how we can help.