Desktop Study & Site Visit
Initial research and on-site assessment to understand your property's opportunities and constraints and your design brief.
Fees & Investment
Let's Talk Openly About Fees
Architectural fees and construction costs aren't often discussed openly. We think they should be. This page is here to lift the lid on a topic that's often considered taboo, and to help you understand what working with an architectural designer actually costs.
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Every project is unique, but for the sake of starting a conversation, we've made some approximations here. The numbers on this page are a starting point, not a final answer.
We want you to leave this page thinking: what about my project? Our goal is to introduce more people to the idea that their project could benefit from working with an architectural designer. We're not here to scare anyone off with big numbers. We're here to have an open conversation.
And here's the thing: all fees are flexible. If the numbers feel too high, let's talk about ways to condense the process, adjust the scope, or offer a partial service that works for your budget.
Estimate Your Fees
For new residential projects, architectural fees typically range from 5–9% of your total construction cost, with the percentage decreasing as project value increases. Enter your estimated build cost to see your fee.
This percentage also varies based on project complexity, site conditions, number of storeys, and architectural features. A straightforward single-storey home on a flat site will sit at the lower end, while multi-level homes on challenging sites require more design work.
$
Estimated Design Fee
$70,000
+ GST
This estimate is a starting point only. It doesn't account for the nuance and complexity of your specific project. All our fees are tailored to your brief and expectations.
What's Included
Our fee covers the complete design journey, from initial consultation through to handing over the keys and raising a glass together.
Preliminary Concepts
Early design explorations that capture your vision and respond to the site.
Developed Design
Drawings are refined based on your feedback and consultant input, bringing the design into sharper focus.
Resource Consent Drawings
Documentation required for council resource consent applications (if necessary).
Building Consent Drawings
Comprehensive technical drawings and specifications for building consent.
Consent Submission
Preparation and lodgement of your building consent application with council.
Construction Observation
We observe your project as it gets built, ensuring your vision is carried through from paper to place.
Welcome Home
A glass of wine and a barbecue to celebrate. Your home is complete, and so is our journey together.
Fee Breakdown
To help you understand where your investment goes, here's how a typical residential project fee is distributed across the different stages of work.
Preliminary Design
Concept Design
Developed Design
Detailed Design
Construction Observation
Simple
Complex
Why Fees Vary
Not all homes are created equal. Many factors influence where your project sits within our fee range, including site conditions, building form, and design complexity.
The more challenging your site or ambitious your design, the more work is required to create documentation that will achieve consent and guide construction.
Conversely, a straightforward site with a brief that aligns with work we've done before can command a lower fee. Where your project shares similarities with past projects, we can draw on that experience, making the design process more efficient.
Consider the difference
A single-storey 250m² home on a flat site is quite a different project to a 250m² three-storey home on a steep site with multiple architectural features. Both are valid projects: they simply require different levels of design work. A renovation carries unknown complexities that a new build might not.
Partial Service
Not every project needs the full journey. We offer a range of tailored services for clients who want to take a more hands-on approach, or who need architectural input at specific stages only.
This might suit builder or developer clients, or private clients who want to manage parts of the process themselves. We focus on the critical design decisions, planning, and materiality, which can then be forwarded to a draughting service to prepare building consent documentation.
The level of service is tailored to your needs. Beyond the initial concept design, a partial service may include:
Project Types We Work On
New Residential Builds
New homes from concept through to completion on flat, sloping, tight and spacious sites all over Aotearoa.
Start Your ProjectRenovations & Alterations
From straightforward updates to complex transformations. We'll have a conversation to understand your scope. Not sure what's possible with your budget? Our scope-finding service explores what a small, medium or large option might look like.
Discuss Your RenovationCommercial
Schools, cafes, funeral homes, restaurants and shop fit-outs. Commercial work requires a different level of care but care none the less.
Discuss Your ProjectComplex Residential
Large or multi-unit residential projects are within our wheelhouse. No project too large: we have a network of trusted professionals to assist us with more complex projects.
Get in TouchYour Project Team
Every project needs a team of specialists beyond architecture. We've built relationships with a pool of collaborators who are reliable, market-tested, and share our commitment to quality.
Consultants We Work With
- Site surveyors
- Geotechnical engineers
- Structural engineers
- Landscape designers
- Kitchen and interior designers
These services are quoted separately to your architectural fees. We're happy to recommend trusted professionals from our network and coordinate the team on your behalf.
Ready to Start?
Every great home begins with a conversation. Get in touch to discuss your project, and we'll provide a tailored fee proposal.
Start Your Conversation