How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Architect in 2025?

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

An architect can help transform your project from an idea into a build-ready plan. 

Hiring an architect costs an average of $6,638, and most homeowners spend between $2,190 and $11,564. The project size and the architect’s fee structure will have the biggest impact on the final price. Here’s what you might expect to pay when hiring an architect, along with tips to cut costs.

Architect Cost by Project Type

Most people spend between $2,190 and $11,564 to hire an architect. However, this price usually only covers the drafting of initial plans, small projects, or partial services. Architects typically charge 8% to 15% of the total construction cost for residential services, depending on your budget and project complexity. For new construction, you might pay between $25,000 and $40,000 to hire an architect.

Bring in an architect whenever you’re building a new structure or making major structural changes to an existing one. Architects perform various functions with a wide skill set, including:

• Creating plans, blueprints, and construction documents

• Working as your agent as well as a planner, manager, and construction administrator to help you evaluate bids and select contractors

• Understanding engineering, structural and spatial relationships, planning, applicable building codes, and zoning regulations

Remodel or Home Addition

Architect fees for remodels and home additions vary based on your project's scope. Here are some cost estimates when hiring an architect for various projects:

• Home additions: $2,400 to $14,000

• Full renovations: $2,400 to $17,600

• Kitchen remodels: $1,800 to $8,500

• Bathroom remodels: $800 to $3,500

Note that any time you update an existing home, you must bring any altered areas up to the current building code. For example, if you open up an existing wall, the electrical, plumbing, and framing might need to be updated to current standards. This could raise the price—and so might any complications that arise.

Custom House Plans

Basic drawing plans range from $2,000 to $20,000. For full custom home builds, architect fees generally range from $10,000 to $60,000.

Architect Cost by Fee Structure

Architects offer different payment structures for their work. Here are the typical cost ranges for different architect fee structures:

Architect Hourly Rate

If you pay by the hour, principals or project-manager-level architects typically charge $125 to $250. Intern architects often charge $65 to $90 per hour, but since they work under a higher-level architect, you'll likely be billed for both. When collecting quotes from architects near you, remember that the most affordable option may not be the best fit for your project.

Hourly rates make sense for smaller projects or to solve a specific design issue. If you need limited services, such as simple building plans, you might be able to use an hourly rate. Alternatively, you could hire an architectural draftsperson.

Architect Cost Per Square Foot

Some architects charge $2 to $15 per square foot, but many pros prefer other fee structures because project needs vary so widely. Each phase of work can be separated into a cost per square foot as follows:

• Concept development and drafts: $2–$5 per square foot, including preliminary design consultation, site visit, and initial draft documents

• Construction documents: $2–$5 per square foot with detailed drawings for all construction elements, from framing to electrical and plumbing

• Project management or administration: $2–$5 per square foot, depending on the level of onsite construction oversight and document administration

Percentage of Construction Cost

Architects typically charge 8% to 15% of the total construction cost for most projects. For example, if your home build costs $115,000 to $450,000, you might pay $9,200 to $67,500 in architect fees, with an average of $32,500.

Fees can go as high as 15% to 20% for remodeling projects and as low as 5% for new construction jobs, depending on the project's complexity. Because percentage-based pricing ties the fee to your overall budget, it’s the structure homeowners see most often.

Building Plans

Blueprints cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000. The cost of architectural plans for a small addition will be lower than building plans for a large, fully custom home. Note that this price range does not include the cost of additional drawing services, like design revisions, project management, or construction oversight. Most projects require extra design revisions along the way.

Included in architectural plans—also called construction drawings or blueprints—are detailed drawings for every part of your new-build home. Plan types include exterior site plans, floor plans, roof plans, elevation views, basement or foundation plans, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans.

Combined Cost Structure

Some architects use a combination of percentage, hourly, and per-square-foot billing, depending on the phase of work. Typically, they'll charge hourly rates for the schematic and design phases to encourage you to be available and make changes promptly. Once the design is settled and the project's scope is clear, they can assess a more accurate per-square-foot or percentage fee.

Add-On Costs for Hiring an Architect

In addition to the costs related to architectural plans or blueprint design, architects may offer additional services for your project.

Reimbursable Expenses

Reimbursable expenses cover any cost outside of design services. These could include the cost of printing or shipping design plans, travel expenses like mileage and airfare, and more.

3D Renderings

Some homeowners request 3D realistic design renderings to visualize their proposed project before it is built. These renderings cost between $200 and $2,000 per image.

Design Revisions

Major changes made during the design phase or addressing any changes made during construction cost extra. The cost of minor design revisions might already be included in the base price. Still, you may want to ask the architect candidate what type of revisions constitute additional charges during the hiring process.

Building Permits

Building permits cost $1,200 to $2,000. Your architect needs to submit design plans to obtain a building permit. Expect them to include this added cost in their total bill.

Land Surveys

A land survey costs $200 to $1,100. You’ll likely only need one for new home construction; however, some more extensive remodels or additions may require one.

Architectural Design Fees Schedule

You typically do not have to pay the full architectural design cost upfront. Architects often outline a fee payment schedule based on the different phases of work and project milestones.

Budgeting for the Costs of Hiring an Architect

As you’re preparing to hire an architect near you, remember these budget-friendly tips to avoid unnecessary expenses:

• Collect detailed project quotes from multiple architects to compare pricing.

• Negotiate a fair payment schedule based on reaching project milestones.

• Opt for simpler, more templated architectural plans over totally custom designs.

• Choose an architect with specific experience handling projects similar to yours.

• Discuss billing methods, like paying per hour, per square foot, or as a percentage of the project total.

• Gain clarity over all additional fees you may incur, like the cost of building permits and land surveys.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.