Phases & fees

Five phases, each with its share of the fee

The design fee is based on finished floor area and billed in five parts. You pay for a phase when you receive its drawings.

All five phases

From $9 per sq ft

Example · 2,400 sq ft home

About $21,600

Not included

Permit fees, land survey, soil testing

Phase01

Share of fee15%

Concept design
Walk the lot, hear what everyone in the house needs, test two or three massing options.

You receive
Sketch plans, massing model, early renderings

Timeline
2–3 weeks
Phase02

Share of fee20%

Design development
Lock the plan: room sizes, elevations and main materials.

You receive
Plans, elevations, sections; 3D views

Timeline
3–4 weeks
Phase03

Share of fee40%

Construction documents
A full drawing set contractors can bid and build from.

You receive
Architectural, structural and MEP drawings; material schedules

Timeline
4–6 weeks
Phase04

Share of fee10%

Permitting
Prepare the permit set, submit it for you and answer plan-review comments.

You receive
Submitted permit application and drawings

Timeline
About 1 week to prepare
Phase05

Share of fee15%

Construction administration
The architect visits at foundation, framing, roof and finishes.

You receive
Site visit notes, detail clarifications as needed

Timeline
Throughout construction

Total design fee

100%

Rates and percentages are guide figures; the final fee is set in each project’s written agreement. City review time is outside our schedule, and permit approval is decided by the city or village.

Five phases, each with its share of the fee

Concept design

Design development

Construction documents

Permitting

Construction administration