Figuring out how much an architect costs can be tricky. Fees depend on project size, complexity, scope of services, location, and experience. Architects often provide unique value by helping you avoid design errors and guiding construction. Whether you’re building a custom home or renovating, knowing how much it costs to hire an architect to design a house helps with budgeting and decision-making.
What Makes Architect Fees Vary?
Each project brings different challenges. A small renovation takes fewer hours than a fully custom home. Large builds will demand in-depth design phases, material selection, and ongoing supervision. Historic renovations may also require special care and permits. Site conditions, like urban lots, rocky slopes, or farmland, add to the complexity. Architects must adapt to your specific vision and the land’s challenges, making each fee quote unique.
Four Common Fee Structures
Architects charge clients in several ways. Each method suits different project types and budgets.
Hourly Rates
Ideal for small tasks, consultations, or tweaks. Rates typically fall between $100 and $250 per hour. Intern architects might work at $45–$90 per hour.
Flat Fees
Used when the project scope is clear. An architect defines phases, concept, schematic, construction docs, and site oversight. Fees may range from $5,000 to over $60,000, depending on complexity.
Percentage of Construction Cost
The fee is a percentage of building expenses. Most common for full-service work. Typical range for new builds is 8–15%, and remodels may go up to 20%. A $300,000 build might cost $24,000 to $45,000 in architect fees.
Square‑Foot Pricing
Architects sometimes charge $2 to $10 per square foot. Helps clients budget if they know their home’s size.
Any of these models can help you understand the cost of an architect to design a house based on your needs and financial plan.
Typical Architect Fees by Project Type
Knowing average fees can guide your expectations:
- Home extensions usually cost $2,000 to $8,000
- New single-family homes range between $10,000 and $60,000+
- Kitchen remodels run $1,500 to $5,000
- Full home renovations vary from $10,000 to $40,000
- Bathroom remodels often cost $800 to $3,500
- Landscape design fees fall between $550 and $1,400
If you just want drawings and not supervision, expect $2,000 to $20,000 for blueprints alone. Structural drawings and high-quality renderings add costs: site plan ($300–$1,000), structural plan ($500–$2,000), and 3D visualizations ($200–$2,000).
Architect Experience Makes a Difference
Experience impacts charges significantly. Rates typically go like this:
- Intern Architect I: $45/hour
- Intern Architect II: $90/hour
- Junior to Mid-level Architect: $125/hour
- Principal Architect: $150 to $250/hour
Higher experience usually leads to better design quality and smoother permits. Intern architects are cost-effective for smaller tasks. For full plans, experienced professionals ensure the design is code-compliant and builder-friendly.
What’s Included in Architect Fees?
Architects offer more than drawings. Most full-service packages include:
- Concept development and space planning
- Detailed blueprints, elevations, and site plans
- Coordination with engineers and other consultants
- Permit preparation and application
- Construction administration and site visits
Some go beyond by offering 3D renderings and virtual walkthroughs to ensure your vision aligns with the final product.
Extra Costs That Might Surprise You
Architectural fees do not always include these:
- Permits and city filing fees—cover city requirements, costly depending on location
- Site surveys or soil testing—external specialists may bill separately
- Engineering reports—especially for structural or mechanical designs
- 3D renderings—high detail visuals may cost $500 to $5,000
- Ongoing management—site visits or change orders may add to hourly or flat fees
Be sure to ask what is and isn’t included in your quote to avoid surprises.
Planning Services: Basic, Standard, Premium
Some firms offer tiered services. For example:
- Basic: essential permit drawings, minimal revisions, 5–7% of build cost
- Standard: multiple design options, fuller documentation, 7–10% fee
- Premium: full customization, 3D visuals, material and finish guidance, 10–20%
A $2 million semi-custom home might cost $140,000–$200,000 in architect fees under a traditional model. In premium services, fully custom projects (e.g., $3–5 million homes) could cost $300,000–$750,000.
Why Hiring an Architect Is Worth It
Hiring an experienced architect helps avoid costly mistakes, poor design choices, and permit issues. They provide a roadmap tailored to your needs, helping to visualize your dream before building starts. Even if working with stock plans, an architect helps customize them for your site, style preferences, and lifestyle. Choosing based on the lowest fees may result in inferior designs and a happier budget, but unhappy results.
Start Smart, Stay in Control
Understanding how much it costs to hire an architect to design a house isn’t just about comparing prices. It’s about making decisions that give your home lasting value. When you view architectural fees as part of a bigger picture, you move from cost-cutting to smart investing. The right architect doesn’t just sketch your home. They help you shape a space that fits your life and grows with it.