How Much Do Architects Cost?

Lunarboogie on 03/03/2024 - 14:53
Last edited 03/03/2024 - 15:37 by 1 other user

Hi all

My house is a small 3 beddie, mid 1950s ex-guvie in the inner north of Canberra. It's an old and cold dump but the land is valuable (being only 3km from the CBD) and so I am proud of my patch of paradise and have no plans to move.

I've got no confidence my son will be able to purchase a house in this part of town when he's an adult due to the way housing is managed in this country. So I'd like to overhaul the joint and create a separate wing where the Mrs and I can retire in place and let him take over the rest when he reaches that point in life (in 20 years or so time).

But to do any of this I need an architect yet I have no idea how this much one costs. A ball park figure would be great if any one has any experience. I don't plan to get straight to work but renovate piecemeal over the next 10 years based on the design and subject to cash flow.

I've also heard a draftsman can do a similar job for cheaper but I'm not sure what the difference is between the two in terms of quality. I'm hoping for sage advice from my OzB hommies.

Thanks.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Nirmitha on 05/03/2024 - 16:18
    -1

    If you are not finicky about changing tiny details, get a plan from Etsy for less than $100: https://www.etsy.com/au/market/house_plans

    Obviously, still do your due diligence (easements on your block, any council requirements, overlays)

    • Lunarboogie on 05/03/2024 - 20:49
      +1

      Damn, there were some nice designs on there. Thanks for sharing!

  • Wilson Wallace on 05/03/2024 - 17:43

    Might be overkill for an archtect- I'd recommend you go through a draftsman or a building designer.

    I'm currently going through that process now. We are renovating a Heritage listed home, knocking down the back part of the house, building a second story with multiple bedrooms and baths. We were quoted $10,700, with cash money, $8.7k

    Good luck with your project.

    • Lunarboogie on 05/03/2024 - 20:21

      That's very reasonable.

      • Wilson Wallace on 05/03/2024 - 20:37
        +1

        Yes - if you were building a new dream home, if say go with an architect if you were doing a designer home.

        draftsman and building designers will go through all the town planning for you. Obviously excluding engineering designs (if you need engineering done).

        So that price of 8.7k is paid out in phases. See below example.

        Phase 1: On signing of Agreement $xxxx

        Phase2: Schematic Design & Development $xxxxx

        Town planning
        $xxxx
        Final Working Drawings
        $xxxxx

        Phase 1 will be a draft. I'll hand it to the builder to quote and price up. If I like everything, it will go to the next phase.

  • Mainsail on 05/03/2024 - 19:11

    I'm a marine biologist…

  • nosey on 05/03/2024 - 19:31
    +1

    Also Canberra based with little kids and im always wondering whether i should upgrade to a bigger house for future purposes but i talk self out of it. Its too far down track for me.

    I DO like the idea of a basement/bunker though.

  • Aaz00 on 05/03/2024 - 21:00
    +2

    Hi Lunarboogie,

    I am an Architect in Canberra and renovations to inner north and South seem to be my speciality at the moment. Many I have spoken to are in the same position as you and are looking to renovate because they are in a great spot and I can’t blame you. I have also encountered a lot of people like yourself that are looking at multi-generational living options because they can see it looking bleak out there for their children. If you are planning long term I would suggest master planning your objectives long term so that if you are not in a place to doing everything now you can formulate a plan and makes sure that any work you do now doesn’t have to be torn up in the next phase.

    I haven’t read all the comments here but a couple make some good points. Architects usually are more expensive than draftsman but that is usually because they are have studied in their field a bit longer and usually tackle larger and more complex projects. Having myself studied as a draftsman prior to studying at Uni I have experienced both environments and really it comes down to the experience of the individual not how they are labelled.

    Unfortunately it is hard to give an approximate cost, It usually depends on the size and complexity of the project and usually involves meeting with the Architect/Draftsman to discuss the project. In my experience in offices I have worked in if they have fixed prices you are usually going to get just what they initially specify and no more without incurring revision fees.

    If you wish to discuss in person your project feel free to send me an email at [email protected] and I would be more than happy to meet you and discuss your plans. I don’t charge for initial meetings and I could provide a fee proposal once I have a better idea of your plans.
    Cheers, Aaron

    • Lunarboogie on 05/03/2024 - 21:34

      Thanks Aaron. Looking back, I intended to say masterplan in my opening question but didn't know how to express it sufficiently. I am looking at a masterplan that first addresses the old cold dump (where we currently live) to bring it into the 21st century, before embarking on the retirement wing in the next 5 - 10 years (so two discrete packages of work) while ensuring that the two parts are coherent and well connected, despite the long gap.

      I'm glad to hear that others are also considering multi generation living. To me it's a no brainer, economically as well as communally, yet the reaction on here was surprisingly negative. I was beginning to second guess my own values and whether I was the outlier. It's a relief to know I'm not Robinson Caruso in that regard.

      I'll reach out for a chat. The idea of fee free discussion would be welcome.

      • Aaz00 on 05/03/2024 - 21:48

        Not a problem, no you are definitely not an outlier. I have had many discussions multi-generational living arrangements but also adaptive housing layouts because people are happy where they are but also foresee their needs changing and want spaces that are flexible and adaptive. More than happy to help.

  • Drakesy on 06/03/2024 - 12:16
    +1

    In this day and age i'd budget between $50-$80k dependent on the complexity of the build.

    If its relatively minor, just go with a draftsperson.

  • Tiredman on 06/03/2024 - 12:43

    Mine was about $60k all up but it was a big job. Design, council and construction drawings. Try draftsperson/building designers.

    • Lunarboogie on 06/03/2024 - 14:29

      Thanks for this. How big was the overall spend?

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