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UK cost guide

Architect Fees UK

UK architect fee benchmarks for domestic extensions and new builds, including planning drawings, technical drawings, full-service support, hourly rates and percentage fees.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026 · Sources & data · Methodology

Typical planning costTypically 5–12% of construction cost
Broader project range£1,000–£15,000 across common fixed-fee domestic service examples
Planning figures are estimates rather than quotations. Live calculators combine dated UK benchmarks with clearly separated modelling assumptions such as region, size, condition and specification.

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What affects the cost?

Architect fees depend on project scale, complexity and scope of service. A planning-only package is materially different from technical drawings, tender support and contract administration through construction. The detailed fixed-fee table used here was updated by the source in January 2025 and was checked again in September 2026; it is shown with that date rather than being relabelled as a 2026 price table.

  • Planning-only or full-service appointment
  • Single-storey, double-storey or new-build project
  • Construction budget
  • Technical and building-regulations drawings
  • Tender and construction-stage support
  • London / South East location and project complexity

Typical cost breakdown

Typical percentage fee5–12% of construction cost
Architect hourly rate£50–£100 / hour
Single-storey extension — planning application£1,000–£2,500
Double-storey extension — planning application£2,000–£3,500
New build — planning application£3,000–£5,000
Single-storey extension — technical drawings£3,000–£5,000
Double-storey extension — technical drawings£4,000–£6,000
New build — technical drawings£5,000–£7,000
Single-storey extension — full service example£5,000–£7,500
Double-storey extension — full service example£6,000–£11,000
New build — full service example£9,000–£15,000

Sources used for this guide

Checkatrade

How much does an architect cost to hire?

Published / checked: Cost table updated January 2025 · checked September 2026

Used for: Architect percentage fees, hourly rates, planning-application drawings, technical drawings and full-service domestic project benchmarks

View source ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much do architects charge in the UK?

A common benchmark is around 5–12% of the construction cost, although architects can also quote fixed fees or hourly rates. The scope of service matters as much as the project size.

How much are architect drawings for an extension?

The source table updated in January 2025 gives £1,000–£2,500 for a single-storey extension planning application and £3,000–£5,000 for single-storey building-regulations and construction drawings.

What is a typical architect hourly rate?

A common UK planning benchmark is around £50–£100 per hour.

Are architect fees higher in London?

The source notes typical architect costs in London and the South East can be around 10% above the UK average, although individual quotes depend on scope and practice.

Related costs

Cost guide

Planning application fees

Current statutory planning application fees in England from 1 April 2026 for common householder applications, lawful development certificates, selected prior approvals, conditions and no-fee routes.

£548 for many householder extension / alteration applicationsView guide →Cost guide

Structural engineer

Current UK structural engineer costs for inspections, reports, RSJ calculations, load-bearing walls and residential design work.

£300 inspection · £100–£200 per hourView guide →Cost guide

House extension

Plan a UK house extension budget with typical per-square-metre costs, major cost drivers and regional considerations.

£2,000–£3,500 / m²View guide →