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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Architect cost?
Can someone give me a ball park of Architect fees?
I am looking to do an extension out of my LR. Just a basic box with a roof and some windows to expend my LR into the yard.
I am assuming I need plans before talking to contractors, right?
I just want to look into doing the extension again. I had dropped the idea but we decided that he was cheaper for us to keep our house than sell and buy bigger.
TIA
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Posted 8/13/08 2:09 PM  |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Architect cost?
You can use the architect the contractor recommends. You can also have the architects fees added into the job.
I think most contractors said the architect was around 1500-2000 of the total job.
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| Posted 8/13/08 2:38 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by ave1024
You can use the architect the contractor recommends. You can also have the architects fees added into the job.
I think most contractors said the architect was around 1500-2000 of the total job.
So I can just contact contractors and they will do the plan with an architect they work with?
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| Posted 8/13/08 2:56 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Architect cost?
They are not going to get the architect involved until you sign a contract, pay a deposit, and agree on a base price.
Usually when you get quotes it will include the plans/architect.
If you are doing major work like a full dormer and want to know exactly what your house will look like and where the walls will be and such, then you have to find your own architect.
Every time I brought a contractor in my house to give me an estimate, the first thing they always asked was if i had plans or not.
If you are only doing a simple extension, the architect really isn't that big of a deal.
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| Posted 8/13/08 3:08 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Architect cost?
Oh I understand that I will have to sign something if I need exact plans, etc..
This is not a full dormer.
I want to blow out the wall of my LR and extend into the yard. It will be on a slab like the rest of my house.
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| Posted 8/13/08 3:17 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Architect cost?
Yeah you could go out and get your own plans but for a small extension you are probably just fine having the contractor include the cost of the architect in the price.
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| Posted 8/13/08 3:19 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Architect cost?
I can't find my paperwork at the moment, but I believe our quotes were between 5K to 7K.
And I can't recall if that estimates were for basic aesthetic things, like window gables and peaks OR if they were for the extension we plan on doing.
I'll try and find the paperwork later this evening.
Also, our contractor gave us the names & numbers of 3 architects. (Just so happened that I LOVED one of the architect's work w/o even knowing it was his.)
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| Posted 8/13/08 4:24 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Architect cost?
Ours was 6k, but that was for a major renovation, plus he went to the variance hearing, and dealt with the town for several things.
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| Posted 8/13/08 4:27 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by Chatham-Chick
I can't find my paperwork at the moment, but I believe our quotes were between 5K to 7K.
And I can't recall if that estimates were for basic aesthetic things, like window gables and peaks OR if they were for the extension we plan on doing.
I'll try and find the paperwork later this evening.
Also, our contractor gave us the names & numbers of 3 architects. (Just so happened that I LOVED one of the architect's work w/o even knowing it was his.)
$7K for plans? 
I would be doing a 14x19 extension.
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| Posted 8/13/08 4:36 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by smdl
Posted by Chatham-Chick
I can't find my paperwork at the moment, but I believe our quotes were between 5K to 7K.
And I can't recall if that estimates were for basic aesthetic things, like window gables and peaks OR if they were for the extension we plan on doing.
I'll try and find the paperwork later this evening.
Also, our contractor gave us the names & numbers of 3 architects. (Just so happened that I LOVED one of the architect's work w/o even knowing it was his.)
$7K for plans?
I would be doing a 14x19 extension.
It wasn't just for plans, but like GoldenRod mentioned, handling variances/permits and such.
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| Posted 8/13/08 5:46 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Posted by smdl
Posted by Chatham-Chick
I can't find my paperwork at the moment, but I believe our quotes were between 5K to 7K.
And I can't recall if that estimates were for basic aesthetic things, like window gables and peaks OR if they were for the extension we plan on doing.
I'll try and find the paperwork later this evening.
Also, our contractor gave us the names & numbers of 3 architects. (Just so happened that I LOVED one of the architect's work w/o even knowing it was his.)
$7K for plans?
I would be doing a 14x19 extension.
It wasn't just for plans, but like GoldenRod mentioned, handling variances/permits and such.
wow...I got scared!
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| Posted 8/13/08 5:53 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Architect cost?
We spoke to an architect about some things we were considering and here's what he came back with.
Prepare plans and elevations of exisiting residence by field measuring, photographing and existing drawings if available
Prepare initial design sketches, floor plans & elevations
Upon approval of design, prepare sections, elevations and details required for contractor to see overall scope of the project.
Issue drawings to owner for distibution to contractors and will answer questions that arise during the bidding process. Will file for town permits.
During construction will answer any questions that arise and visit site if required.
His fee was $3800 with $200 per site visit if requested and permit fees were not included - we would pay that direct.
We were looking at changing the location of the front door, expand living room and make changes to the garage that had been converted to a family room
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| Posted 8/13/08 6:13 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by smdl
Posted by Chatham-Chick
I can't find my paperwork at the moment, but I believe our quotes were between 5K to 7K.
And I can't recall if that estimates were for basic aesthetic things, like window gables and peaks OR if they were for the extension we plan on doing.
I'll try and find the paperwork later this evening.
Also, our contractor gave us the names & numbers of 3 architects. (Just so happened that I LOVED one of the architect's work w/o even knowing it was his.)
$7K for plans?
I would be doing a 14x19 extension.
I just went through this process doing a 12x27 extension.
Expect to get quotes between 30k and 50k for this job (assuming it's a 1 story extension). These types of extensions typically run around $120-140 a square foot depending on how crazy you go with windows/doors/etc.
While it's great to bring your own architect in, if you use the contractor's architect you will pay a lot less. I think my architect fees on average with the contractors were between 1500-2500 (of course included in the contractor's estimates).
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| Posted 8/13/08 6:20 PM |
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dbleplay17
My 2 boys!
Member since 10/06 4578 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: Architect cost?
You got FM
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| Posted 8/13/08 7:53 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by dbleplay17
You got FM
No FM?
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| Posted 8/13/08 7:54 PM |
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dbleplay17
My 2 boys!
Member since 10/06 4578 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: Architect cost?
its coming
Message edited 8/13/2008 7:56:15 PM.
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| Posted 8/13/08 7:55 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Architect cost?
Many times, the contractors' architect will design things in the contractors best interest, not necessarily yours. They won't do anything bad, but my architect designed my house based on what I told him. Now the contractor has to build according to my plans (which are extremely detailed). Some contractors don't like to do certain things (long spans, curved walls, arches, whatever), so their own architect may talk you out of certain things.
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| Posted 8/14/08 7:39 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by GoldenRod
Many times, the contractors' architect will design things in the contractors best interest, not necessarily yours. They won't do anything bad, but my architect designed my house based on what I told him. Now the contractor has to build according to my plans (which are extremely detailed). Some contractors don't like to do certain things (long spans, curved walls, arches, whatever), so their own architect may talk you out of certain things.
Good point!
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| Posted 8/14/08 7:56 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by GoldenRod
Many times, the contractors' architect will design things in the contractors best interest, not necessarily yours. They won't do anything bad, but my architect designed my house based on what I told him. Now the contractor has to build according to my plans (which are extremely detailed). Some contractors don't like to do certain things (long spans, curved walls, arches, whatever), so their own architect may talk you out of certain things.
I can understand your point and maybe if you are doing a 100k job it might be worth it. But for a project this small I can't justify paying an extra $3000 for an independant architect.
The architect I worked with supplied by the contractor would have done anything I wanted. I went back and fourth with different designs and room configurations. There was no talking out of certain things in my experience.
Plus one other thing to consider, if you ever have issues with the job there is one finger to point at. If you used the architect that was supplied by the contractor and things come up with inspection, I can solely blame the contractor.
If something lets say doesn't pass inspection if you bring in your own architect there can run the possiblity of a lot of finger pointing going on. "No it's the contractor's fault... No it's the architect's fault... etc".
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| Posted 8/14/08 10:19 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by ave1024
Posted by GoldenRod
Many times, the contractors' architect will design things in the contractors best interest, not necessarily yours. They won't do anything bad, but my architect designed my house based on what I told him. Now the contractor has to build according to my plans (which are extremely detailed). Some contractors don't like to do certain things (long spans, curved walls, arches, whatever), so their own architect may talk you out of certain things.
I can understand your point and maybe if you are doing a 100k job it might be worth it. But for a project this small I can't justify paying an extra $3000 for an independant architect.
The architect I worked with supplied by the contractor would have done anything I wanted. I went back and fourth with different designs and room configurations. There was no talking out of certain things in my experience.
Plus one other thing to consider, if you ever have issues with the job there is one finger to point at. If you used the architect that was supplied by the contractor and things come up with inspection, I can solely blame the contractor.
If something lets say doesn't pass inspection if you bring in your own architect there can run the possiblity of a lot of finger pointing going on. "No it's the contractor's fault... No it's the architect's fault... etc".
True. For small projects, I definitely agree. I was thinking about my project, which is much bigger than just adding a room.
The architect's plans have already been approved by the town (by MANY people in the town...  ), so if something doesn't pass inspection, IMO, it's 100% the contractor's fault.
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| Posted 8/14/08 10:29 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Architect cost?
Posted by GoldenRod
The architect's plans have already been approved by the town (by MANY people in the town... ), so if something doesn't pass inspection, IMO, it's 100% the contractor's fault.
Heh be careful about where blame gets passed. I had to have a header changed over an entryway because it didn't pass field inspection.
Just because the town approves the plans doesn't mean they may miss something that an on field inspector doesn't like. Some of the field inspectors can be VERY picky and IMO these guys go through everything in a lot more detail than the plan examiners in the buildings department.
While I would think it's most likely the contractor's fault that they didn't order the correct header, you never know the architect may not have put in a large enough header into the plans. I really have no way of knowing as the customer.
I am actually going to court with my contractor over some things that they screwed up, and one of the things they are counter suing me for (to try to extract money out of me) is this header replacement.
They are blaming "my house" for the reason they had to replace the header.  If the achitect was hired by me, they probably would have blamed my architect and I would have a much more difficult time defending myself.
Since the architect is theirs, there is no way they are going to win that part of the suit since I can blame both the architect and the contractor. Blaming "my house" is a total joke and I am going to laugh at them in the courtroom.
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| Posted 8/14/08 10:44 AM |
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pugmama
April already?
Member since 3/06 5297 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Architect cost?
We paid $2500 for ours and he handled all the permits and paperwork for us.
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| Posted 8/14/08 11:27 AM |
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jen919ifer
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/08 803 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Architect cost?
Wow for the house we are looking into buying we want to convert the garage into a room, I exected this to be about 20k, but I guess not. Are these costs the price of the whole extension, b/c if thats the case then it should be much less since it already has electricity & walls?
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| Posted 8/14/08 10:21 PM |
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