Quote received from architect: does it seem high?

Hi guys

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum or has already been dealt with (have done a search but could not find any up-to-date discussion on my topic), but I received a quote from an architect to design a house I was considering having built in the Limerick area

Basically, I have no experience in this so I wanted to be sure I wasn't being taken for a ride

Based on a 4,000sq ft house, the architect in question is charging €21,600 + Vat (another €4,644) which makes a total of €26,244 (or 6% of the estimated construction costs of €90 per sq foot) - this sounds high to me

Does this sound right, particularly in the present climate where architects are supposed to be keenly competing for work?

The costs are broken down as follows:

He wants a 5% deposit (€1080) payable upon instructions to proceed

He wants a further 35% for works to planning stage (€7,560) and payable prior to submission of application for planning permission

He wants 25% (€5,400) for working drawings, 10% (€2,160) for tender action and appointment of contractor, and a final 25% (€5,400) for contract admin/construction/completion payable "as required as work progresses"

Any help or advice people can give would be much appreciated

Thanks guys

Shop around and then you'll get an idea of whether he is overcharging. Are you using this architect because he's been recommended or because he's local? If the former ask the people who recommended him what they were charged (if it was 2 years ago, knock 15% off and compare).Tell him you're going to get quotes from other architects and see what he says.

A friend in Limerick paid ~€6,000 for for drawings etc.. to planning stage. Then went with an engineer to supervise the build. Worked out OK.

Probably gets lots of posts from Architects now saying how risky this is, but hey, €26k goes a long way today.

Self-builders tend to burn lots of money at the beginning of their build and regret it towards the end of their build by which time they're much wiser.

tyrekicker said:

Self-builders tend to burn lots of money at the beginning of their build and regret it towards the end of their build by which time they're much wiser.

Click to expand...

Well exactly why a good architect can be expensive but ultimately cost effective.

I have one here at the moment and they said that this is an excellent price for a one off house.
Of course if you shop around you could get the local wood-work-teacher-turned-"architect" for alot cheaper.
My architect says these fees are light if there is a high level of complexity and a high level of finishes that you are expecting the architect to deliver on what is likely to be an 18 month process which will average out at circa €250 per week.

The scale of fees and payment schedule are broadly in line with industry norms, although the 5% deposit is unusual but not surprising in the current climate.

My architect tells me €90 oer sq ft seems light for a one off house.
4000 sq feet is a huge house and total cost of circa €360000, paying €26k to the person who designs and supervises the build is not excessive.

I had 2 architect refurbished and extended houses and can assure you the end product was far ahead of my engineer/builder/QS friends jobs....both came in within budget and on time.