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How Much Does an Architect Cost in California: A Complete Guide to Architect Fees and Construction Costs

Figuring out how much does an architect cost is one of the first big questions when planning any construction project, from a home remodel to a custom home or ADU or large new construction project. Whether you are planning construction in Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Rosa or Folsom, knowing architect cost, architect fees, total construction costs, construction plans, and how the fee structure works gives you an important edge. In this guide we explain what most architects charge, what drives those costs, what is included in architectural services, and how you can budget your total project cost more accurately. If you are ready to hire an architect, or considering stock plans or custom home plans, you will get a clearer picture of what to expect.

What Architectural Services Include

Architectural services cover everything from early sketches to full construction drawings, from planning to project management during the construction phase. Key components include:

• Schematic design, concept design, programming
• Detailed plans, elevations, floor plans, sections, structural drawing, cross sections
• Construction documents to permit, to bid, to build
• Coordination with a structural engineer, interior designer, civil engineering, and contractors during construction process
• Oversight, inspections, changes, and project scope adjustments as needed

Sometimes services also include interior designer consultations, finishes, material selections. More complex or custom projects, and custom home builds typically include many more services, more detailed plans, more coordination, all of which increase the cost.

Architect Cost Models and Fee Structure

There are several ways most architects set their fees, the fee structure depends on project type, how much you want drawn, how many hours, how much oversight, how many specialists (like structural engineering), how complex the project is.

Percentage of Construction Cost Model

Many architects charge a percentage of construction cost as their architect fees. For a custom home or large new construction this might be 8% to 15% of the total construction costs. For home remodeling or additions, or projects with more structural changes or complex conditions, the percentage might go higher, maybe 12%‑20%.

Fixed Fee / Flat Fee Model

If the project scope is well defined, or for smaller projects, or just to draw plans (or construction plans only, permit drawings, etc), many architects may offer a fixed fee or flat fee. That could cover just the design phase, or just the schematic design, or just the construction documents, or the full set of drawings. Fixed fee agreements give more predictability in cost.

Hourly Rates

Some architects charge hourly, especially in early stages, for consultation, revisions, design tweaks, or when project scope isn’t fully defined. Hourly rates vary a lot, often from $100 to $250 per hour for licensed architects, lower for interns or less experienced staff.

Per Square Foot Basis

Another model is charging on a per square foot or square footage basis. This can be simpler for both client and architect when the size is known. Rates per square foot vary depending on what architectural services are included, how much detail, how many drawings, structural complexity. Often between $2 to $15 per square foot depending on services.

Combinations

Sometimes architects combine these models – for example an hourly fee during design phase, then a percentage of construction cost during construction administration, or fixed fee for drawings plus hourly for revisions. That helps balance predictability with flexibility.

Typical Architect Fees and Cost Ranges

Below are common ranges in 2025 for different types of projects, showing what architects charge, what clients pay to draw plans, what architectural fees look like for various small, medium and larger projects. These assume typical conditions, moderate complexity, but adding in existing home’s existing conditions or structural changes or difficult site will increase costs.

What Drives the Cost Up

Knowing what pushes architect fees higher helps you budget and avoid surprises. Some of the most common cost drivers are:

• Project complexity, meaning custom design features, non‑standard rooflines, unusual shapes, slope or challenging site, structural changes, lots of engineering required.
• Existing home’s existing conditions, hidden issues, renovations of older homes often require more research, investigations, structural drawing, interior designer inputs etc.
• Level of detail in drawings, or how many construction drawings you need, or how many revisions, how many cross sections, how many detailed plans.
• Full service versus just plans, whether you want project management or construction oversight, interior designer input, structural engineer input.
• The size or square footage of project, sometimes per square foot basis or percentage model makes larger projects more expensive in absolute dollars.
• Local conditions: permit fees, city rules, environmental regulations, soils or geotechnical reports, or code compliance rules.

Average Numbers and Case Examples

To make this concrete, here are average numbers you might expect when you hire an architect in 2025, plus some examples of total fees, construction cost, construction plans, etc:

• Nationally many projects show architect cost averages around $6,600 to $7,000 for modest projects, most people pay between $2,000 and $11,500 depending on size, scope, complexity.
• For basic stock plans or drawing plans only for small renovation or permit set, drawing plans costs might run $2,000‑$20,000 depending on square footage and complexity.
• For a 2,500 square foot new home, full architectural services might cost you somewhere between $15,000 to $60,000+ or more, depending on what level of services you want (schematics, detailed plans, structural engineer, interior designer, permit processing, construction phase oversight).
• If you have a large new construction house costing say $1,500,000 to build, and you engage full architectural services with structural engineer, interior design, and construction oversight, the architect alone might charge $120,000‑$225,000 or more depending on % fee. (8‑15 % or more plus fees for extras) — this reflects significant investment.

How to Budget Based on Your Project

If you are planning a home project, or remodeling, or new construction, here is a step‑by‑step to estimate what you’ll pay in total project cost for both builder, architect, structural engineer, materials, etc:

1. Define your project scope as clearly as possible, including size (square footage), how many rooms, whether you will need structural changes, interior design, landscape, etc.
2. Estimate your construction cost per square foot based on your finish selections, region, materials. In California for custom homes or higher end finishes this could be quite high.
3. Multiply square footage × cost per square foot to estimate builder costs (materials, labor, contractors) then add in architect fees, typically using a percentage model (e.g. 8‑15%) unless you get a fixed fee.
4. Add cost of hiring a structural engineer, any interior designer, site survey, geotechnical reports, soil, permits. Those are often extra.
5. Include the cost of draw plans and construction plans, and possibly stock plans or customization of stock plans if that works for you.
6. Always include contingency for changes, revisions in the design phase, surprises in existing conditions, alterations during construction phase.

Hire an Architect Smartly

Because architect cost and architect fees can vary so much, hiring smartly can save you money or avoid wasted effort.

• Ask different architects for clear proposals including what is included: detailed plans, construction drawings, how many revisions, whether they include structural engineer, permit submittals, interior designer, or if that is extra.
• Compare fee structure: hourly, fixed fee, percentage of construction cost, per square foot basis. See which gives you better value for your specific project.
• If your project is smaller, you may prefer fixed fee or hourly rather than high percentage fees. If larger, percentage is common.
• Consider stock plans or modifying stock plans if your design goals allow, to lower some of the costs to draw plans or for schematic design and reduce some of the custom work.
• Early in the design phase get a budget or pre‑design estimate so you can adjust scope, materials, complexity before the detailed plans and construction documents stage.

What Happens in Construction Documents and Construction Phase

Once you have approved design plans, schematic design, you move into construction documents, this is where the detailed work happens:

• Construction documents include full drawings, specifications, structural engineer inputs, details, cross sections, material specs, plumbing, electrical, finishes, site plan, roof plans etc.
• These drawings are what contractors use to price, what permit authorities use to review, what builders follow during construction. Higher detail means fewer surprises.
• In the construction phase the architect or architectural service may provide oversight, site visits, response to RFIs (requests for information), review shop drawings, handle changes. If included this will increase the fees.

Frequently Asked How Much Does an Architect Cost Questions

How much does an architect cost for small projects or home remodels?

For smaller projects or home renovation the architect cost is lower in absolute dollars but often higher as a percentage. Simple remodels with minimal existing home changes might cost you a few thousand to draw plans plus hourly fees for oversight. If you want construction drawings, permit drawings, structural changes, interior designer input it goes up quickly.

Do I need a structural engineer or interior designer also?

Yes often you will. If your project has structural changes you will need structural engineer drawings and coordination. If you care about interiors you may hire an interior designer. Those are extra professional services beyond what many basic architectural services include.

What is the difference between fixed fee and hourly rate?

Fixed fee gives you more predictability, you know what you pay for certain deliverables. Hourly rate allows flexibility, for when project scope or detailed plans or revisions are not yet defined. Many architects combine both.

Can stock plans save money?

Yes using stock plans or modifying stock plans can reduce cost to draw plans, reduce architectural fees since less custom design work is needed. But you still need to ensure stock plans are adapted to your site, local codes, and any structural drawing needed, which adds cost.

What is per square foot basis pricing?

That means architect charges based on square footage. Useful when project size is known. Often used in newer home or addition. Good when scope is clear. But per square foot basis often excludes extras like structural engineer, interior design, detailed specifications, revisions, or changes during construction phase.

Conclusion

When you ask how much does an architect cost for a construction project, or for a custom home, or a smaller or larger home renovation or new construction, what you discover is there is no single number. Costs depend on: how many services you need, how detailed the draw plans are, whether you need construction documents and oversight in the construction phase, whether your site has difficult conditions, whether you hire a structural engineer or interior designer, how large the project is in square footage, how complex the design is, and where you are in California.

To manage those costs, have a clear idea of your project scope early, ask for detailed proposals, understand the fee structure, get multiple quotes, consider stock plans or modifying plans, and plan ahead for permits and site challenges. With GSDE’s integrated architectural services, structural engineering, civil engineering, interior designer coordination, and construction phase support we aim to help clients budget accurately for both the design fees and the construction costs, to make sure your dream home or renovation is built well, beautifully, and within realistic expectations.

If you are ready to get a better estimate for your own project, reach out and let us review your site, your vision, your budget, your square footage, your desired level of detail, and draw up a proposal so that you know the total fees, the architect cost, the construction cost, the construction drawings, and everything in between before you begin.