Introduction to Architectural Fees

Whether this is your first time diving into a design and construction project or you’ve been through this before, depending on who you decide to work with and what services they provide, architectural and construction fees and costs can range broadly. This document is intended to provide some insight on how we approach our fees.

There are many factors that can impact bottom line architectural fees, and more broadly, total project costs. It is important to understand and consider all of these factors when planning and budgeting for your project.

At MAC Design, we bring budget, constructions costs, and feasibility into the conversation from the get-go so that we can have a honest and transparent conversation about the direction of the project and aim to develop a design that will meet your goals for the project and fit within the budgetary constraints.

Base Architectural Services

$8-$12 / square foot

Project size & complexity, project type (single/two/multi-family/commercial), level of detail/scope of services are all factors that can impact where your project may fall on the scale of architectural fees. Use this cost/sf range as a starting point to better understand the range of fee your project likely falls in.

Additional Architectural Services

Services provided that go beyond the Base scope of Architectural services are called Additional Services. Depending on the scope of work and the requirements for your project, some Additional services may be required to be included in the work.

Additional Services can include, but are not limited to:

  • Documenting existing conditions: $1-$2 / sf

  • Attending hearings or meetings for project approvals with the town: Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Historic Commission, etc.: Hourly fee

  • Providing additional project documentation for final project approval and sign off on the Certificate of Occupancy (CO): construction control checklists, conservation approval reports, as-built drawing documentation, etc.: Hourly fee

  • Producing or coordinating Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing (MEP) documentation: $1 - $2 / sf

  • Interior detailed design and documentation: product selections, casework/millwork detailing, material selections, etc.: $1 - $3 / sf (depending on scope of services)

  • Structural framing design and documentation: $3 / sf

  • Exterior landscape or hardscape design and documentation: $3 / sf

  • 3D Rendering services: pricing details can be made available upon request

Design and Documentation Services from Other Licensed Design or Engineering Professionals

Beyond the Base and Additional Architectural Services, other design services may be requested or required for your project. Other design services can include, but are not limited to:

  • Structural Engineering Services: $3 - $4 / sf

  • Landscape Designer/Architect Services: $2 - $3 / sf

  • Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineering Services: $2 - $4 / sf

  • Land Surveying Services: $2 - $3 / sf

  • Civil Engineering / Septic Design Services: $2 - $3 / sf

Fees as shown are meant to express potential additional costs that the owner may incur and should account for during design. Design consultants services and fees are to be agreed upon with the consultant directly and may vary from fees as listed above.

Estimating Construction Costs

Once the project enters construction (or in some cases before then if pre-construction services are offered or utilized), project costs fall on the builder or contractor performing the work. Architect’s have the ability to control construction costs to the degree in which they influence the design of the project - overall size, construction details, product or material selections, etc… Bottom line costs of construction for builders and contractors can vary widely and are influenced by the design, as well as other intangible factors like permitting fees, material and labor costs, or other general contractor’s fees.

Depending on the type and scope of your project, construction costs can range anywhere from $150/sf - $450/sf. In some extreme instances, these costs can be more or less than this range, but when budgeting and considering costs for your own project, you should use a figure that is an average of this range, or if anything a figure that is on the higher end of this range to be conservative