2 Sept 2026 · 5 min read
How architect fees work — and when you pay
Percentage, fixed or hourly — how they differ, and why payments should follow delivered work.
The first thing most homeowners ask is the fee. The answer depends on how the studio charges and what scope you hire it for.
Three common methods
A percentage of build cost suits new houses; a fixed fee suits clearly defined extensions; hourly suits advice and site visits.
Pay for delivered work
Good instalments are tied to real deliverables — concept, permit set, construction set — rather than a large advance, and always paid to the company account with a receipt.
