Those who need to hire an architect by the hour should expect to spend between $60 and $125, although keep in mind that making constant changes may increase the overall rate.
Some general contractors already employ architects, so this might be worth considering when planning to build a house from the ground up. Take note that your location will affect the rates for hiring architects. A new home builder in Ogden may charge cheaper rates for architectural services, compared to a similar company in Salt Lake City. Aside from your location, there are other factors that contribute to the total price of hiring professional designers.
Estimate Fees and Rates
Most homeowners end up spending $5,158 on average when hiring an architect for a new home design, but some people pay between $2,023 and $8,335. If you won’t pay per hour, an architect may charge their clients based on the percentage of the construction costs. It could also depend on the square footage of the property.
Other factors like the nature of the project also contribute to the total fees, and whether they are working as an independent contractor or part of a firm. You could negotiate a fair rate, and this requires some skill and experience in doing so.
Cost of New Home Construction
An architect may charge a different rate for those who want to build a house from the ground up, compared to changing the design and layout of an existing house. The National Association of Home Builders said that building a single-family house cost almost $238,000 in 2017. The price today may have changed because of the increase in the price of materials and labor fees, but this should be a good benchmark to determine the average cost.
You could build a new home for the same amount yet take note that it could be smaller than 2,776 square feet, which was the average size of a standalone house two years ago. Based on this price, it’s possible to spend around $4,000 when paying $60 per hour for an architect’s services.
Cost of Buying Homes
Some people may decide to buy existing houses instead of building one. According to the National Association of Realtors, pre-owned residential properties cost an average of $258,100 as of September 2018. Median prices in hot markets like Salt Lake City will cost more, so expect prices to be higher than the national average.
An advantage of buying an existing house involves a shorter time to close a sale, which takes 44 days on average. Buyers who need to move in quickly should consider this kind of properties since it can shorten the necessary time from applying for a mortgage to the actual signing of contracts.
Look for a general contractor with in-house architects, as this can eliminate the need to pay different professionals for a single project. When choosing among different professionals, remember to ask quotes from at least three companies before finally choosing the right architect who should have an active license.
