Residential Fees

 

Ecotect-Architects provide four different fee options. These include:

1. Hourly Rate Service

2. Partial Architectural Service

3. Full Architectural Service

4. Project Management Service


1. Hourly Rate Service

The 'hourly rate service' is suitable for people interested in receiving professional advice and support on an ad hoc basis.

Rates are:

  • Architect $150.00 per hour
  • Senior Architect $180.00 per hour
  • Principal Garry Baverstock $250.00 per hour

 

People who typically use the hourly rate service are owner builders, property developers and home owners who want draft designs assessed, expert advice and inspections conducted. Ecotect-Architects' advisory service [insert link] is a good starting point for people considering the construction of passive solar and energy efficient home and is charged on an hourly basis with a standard session lasting three hours.  Payment for this service is at the time of the appointment.

The hourly rate can also be applied to the partial and full architectural services although is unadvisable because costs can escalate quickly, particularly with complex and time-consuming jobs.

This option includes:

  • Specialist advice
  • Tips, ideas and suggestions for sensible home design
  • Retrofitting cost effectively
  • Where to buy land
  • How do develop property
  • Sketch plans
  • Design development drawings.
  • Working Drawings
  • Specifications
  • Energy efficiency checksheets.
  • Project management

 

2. Partial Architectural Service

The 'partial architectural service' is ideal for people who want to oversee and manage the building of a house themselves, but require excellent advice and climate sensible design floor layouts.

This option includes an architect completing the concept design [insert link] and design development [insert link] phases of the architectural process and then handing the job to the client who; subsequently, appoints a builder of their own choice. The final 'working drawings [insert link] for the house project are organised through the builder or client.

The process involved with the 'partial architectural service' can be viewed in the attached flowchart [insert flowchart].

Fee

The charge for this service is 2.5 to 3 per cent of the total build cost pending the complexity of the project and as per the builder's invoice. In some instances, the price will need to be negotiated up front because build costs can vary throughout the construction period.

This option is for homes that cost between $250,000 and $700,000 to build.

Payment for this service is in three stages:

1)      Client pays a deposit upon appointing Ecotect-Architects;

2)      Client issued an invoice upon completion of the concept design phase; and

3)      Client issued a final invoice upon completion of the design development phase and having obtained drawings suitable for the 'planning approval' submission at an acceptable budget 'build' price.

A 'partial architectural service' contract can be cancelled at any stage if due payments have been made in full.

This option includes:

  • Concept Design
  • Site visit and investigation
  • Arrangement of feature survey (cost met by client)
  • Interview
  • Discussion sketch
  • Design Development
  • Computer modelling
  • Creation of individual design
  • Drawings suitable for planning approval
  • Cost to build based on market build rates
  • Handover

 

This option does NOT include:

  • Cost of feature survey
  • Working and structural drawings (required for council approval)
  • Energy efficiency checksheets (required by Council)
  • Room layout details
  • Wardrobe and cupboard details
  • Kitchen and bathroom layouts
  • Electrical layouts
  • Reflected ceiling plans
  • Interior design
  • Schedule of finishes
  • Project management
  • Comprehensive specification and contract addenda
  • Specifications and addendums
  • Plan printing
  • Additional site visits
  • Engineer, surveyor, estimator and other consultants' fees
  • Site visits outside the metropolitan area will attract a travelling disbursement

 

3. Full Architectural Service

The 'full architectural service' is a comprehensive package where award-winning architects design excellent, one-off and unique passive solar and energy efficient residences that meet the specific needs of each and every client.

This option includes an architect completing all phases involved in the architectural process, from concept design [insert link]; through to design development [insert link]; and the working drawings [insert link]. The 'full architectural service' is a popular choice for people keen to ensure the design of their new homes and working drawings are completed to an exceptional and world class standard.

This option is ideal for new homes, renovations and complex houses.

The process involved with the 'full architectural service' can be viewed in the attached flowchart [insert flowchart].

Fee

The charge for this service is between eight and 12 per cent of the cost to build or renovate the house with the charge varying depending on the complexity, intricacy and size of the job.

Payment for this service is in four stages:

  1. Client pays a deposit upon appointing Ecotect-Architects;
  2. Client issued three staged  invoices during the Concept Design phase = 30% complete;
  3. Client issued three staged  invoices during the Design Development phase = 30% complete; and
  4. Client issued four staged invoices during the Working Drawing phase = 40% complete.

A 'full architectural service' contract can be cancelled at any stage if due payments have been made in full and one of the three main stages has been completed. Ecotect-Architects' standard charges are based on Rawlinson's cost of construction. Fees are modified during the course of the three stages as check budget costs are done.

This option includes:

  • Concept Design
  • Site visit and investigation
  • Arrangement of feature survey (cost met by client)
  • Interview
  • Discussion sketch
  • Design Development
  • Computer modelling
  • Creation of individual design
  • Drawings suitable for planning approval.
  • Cost to build based on market build rates
  • Working Drawings
  • Dimensioned plans, sections and elevations suitable for building tender.
  • Kitchen and bathroom room layouts
  • Reflected ceiling plans
  • Electrical layouts
  • Window and door schedules
  • Architectural details
  • Wardrobe and cupboard detailing
  • Specifications suitable for building tender
  • Schedule of finishes
  • Engaging the structural engineer on behalf of the client
  • Liaising with the structural engineer.
  • Energy efficiency check sheets
  • Documents suitable for building licence submission

 

This option does NOT include:

  • Cost of feature survey
  • Structural drawings (required for council approval)
  • Interior design
  • Project management
  • Plan printing
  • Additional site visits
  • Structural engineer, surveyor, estimator and other consultants' fees
  • Site visits outside the metropolitan area will attract a travelling disbursement
  • Building licence submission.
  • Calling of building tenders

 

4. Project Management Service

At the end of the 'working drawing' stage owners have the option of engaging Ecotect-Architects to undertake the entire management of their building project.  This comprehensive turn-key package ensures clients liaise with one architect from project commencement right through to house build, lock-up and handover.

This desirable option is often the choice of busy professionals, frequent travellers and others who have previously used Ecotect-Architects.

This service includes:

  • Calling of tenders from builders
  • Co-ordinating the signing of the building contract
  • Organising the submission to local council for the building licence
  • Minuted on- site meetings with the client and builder
  • Follow-up explanatory site drawings
  • Amending tender drawings as appropriate
  • Co-ordinating owner's final selections
  • Assessing the builder's progress claims; and
  • Issuing progress certificates and other architectural certificates including the 'practical completion' and 'final certificates'.

This option is ideal for new homes, retrofits and renovations.

The process involved with the 'project management service' can be viewed in the attached flowchart [insert flowchart].

Fee

The charge for this service is 3 to 5 per cent of the 'final build cost' of the house and is based on the complexity, intricacy and size of the job.

  • 10% of the agreed percentage is paid to Ecotect-Architects after the signing the contract and this is for calling tenders, making any necessary adjustments to the drawings and specifications to negotiate an acceptable contact sum; and
  • During the course of the building contract when each progress claim is submitted by the builder on a monthly basis, Ecotect-Architects submits an invoice for the agreed percentage of each claim less the 10 per cent already paid.