How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Architect for a Home Remodel or New Build?

If you're planning a home remodel or custom home build, one of the first questions that probably comes to mind is: "How much will the architect cost?"

The short answer is: it depends. But here’s how to get a realistic understanding of what to expect and how those fees fit into your overall project budget.

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Architectural fees are often loosely based on construction cost:

Architectural fees are often calculated as a percentage of your estimated construction cost. If you're just starting to dream up your project and don't know what the build may cost, that’s where we come in.

We’re here to help you develop a rough construction budget early on, based on: the square footage you're thinking about, the quality & style of the build (think: basic builder-grade vs. high-end custom), and those Pinterest boards, if you’ve already started those.

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Plan to Spend About 10–15% of Construction Cost on Soft Costs

Once we have a rough idea of the build cost, you can assume that 10%–15% of that will go toward soft costs. These typically include:

• Architectural design and drawings

• Structural, civil, and other possible engineering

• Energy calculations or Title 24 reports

• Required city reports: property survey, soils report, etc.

• Plan check fees and permit costs

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Architectural Design Usually Makes Up About Half of the Soft Costs

Of that 10%–15%, typically half goes to architectural services. So, for example:

• If your construction cost is $1,000,000

• Soft costs may land around $100,000–$150,000

• Architectural services might make up roughly $50,000–$75,000

This is just a general framework to help with early planning. Smaller remodels or complex properties—may fall outside these ranges, just as very large ones may as well.

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Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re not sure how to get started or what your project might cost, we’re happy to help talk rough numbers, walk you through how architectural fees would be structured, and talk about what level of design support makes sense for you.

Let’s talk. Reach out to us! We’re happy to chat & help you get a clearer picture.