Architect fees for dream garage design?

[brianchevy]

Friends,

I'm starting a 30x24 foot 2 story dream garage build here in knoxville TN and I have a quote from a well recommended architect to do the work. he will help with all design, changes, HOA approvals, design drawings, Zoning approvals and meetings including planning and presentations and so on. He will also deliver a construction survey (topo) of the property and build a design including retaining walls, drainage plan and so on.

this is going to be a very nice garage, i'm budgeting $150,000 and his quote for services is around $13K - so less than 8.6% of the overall.

what are you thoughts? To do the job the "RIGHT WAY", i think that's fair, but just want to check in as to what you are paying your architect for dream garage design as a % of the whole?

Also, 2 story because I'm space limited and 30x24 because that's all I can fit there. Also, it's an Auto Racing garage - for my ChampCar racing program and other auto projects with a loft and 2 bays with 4 post and 2 post lift and a workshop... I will keep you up date on that - just checking budget on architect at this point..

 

[matt_i]

I think its reasonable sounds like they are putting in a lot of hours going to meetings and handling interfaces with various groups on your behalf apart from just delivering a stack of drawings.

 

[wake74]

Just waiting for all the very objective, Engineers and Architects are a waste of money comments. We don’t need no stinkin drawings where I live

It seems reasonable for the work you are talking about. Figure $125 to $150 bill rate for an experienced registered Architect and $80-100 bill rate for his/her designer that will do some of the grunt work. Doesn’t take long to spend 100ish hours.

For the kind of money you are spending, getting professional help seems like a good choice to ensure you get a quality end product.


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[yeldogt]

Is this an estimate .. as in not to exceed? How about if extra meetings are involved? Does he have anything to do with finding a builder?

So you will get a full set of drawings ? If so ... it's in the ballpark. There are basic items that are required in every plan set build ... they cost the same regardless of building type/ cost. As you go up the cost ladder the percentage of architect to project drops.

I always use an architect -- both because of design desire ... but, also to minimize problems with authorities. The good ones provide savings and "value added" way above what you pay them.

You can always put a box behind your house with a door and two lights .. best to get some real returns.

 

[jake28]

As long as the architect has a track record of getting plans approved, I’d take that quote, write a check and run to get the rest of the trades lined up.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Price sound fair.
Does this include a materials list. Electrical and plumbing?
What's your plan for making sure the builder (and others) follow the plans?

 

[BBE]

Not sure about a garage, but in the carwash industry we always plan for the architect to cost around 10% of the overall project cost. Example 5 million dollar facility, would be 50k architect cost.

 

[Don1357]

Just waiting for all the very objective, Engineers and Architects are a waste of money comments. We don’t need no stinkin drawings where I live

My pleasure!

So I worked up on SketchUp what I wanted. I called the contractor all proud and stuff and whatnot; he said that if I really wanted to put all that weight up there that I wanted floor trusses rated for it and ceiling trusses so they could be insulated and vented. No permits for the slab or building. I did call the neighbor over to look at my rocks on the ground to get the approval for setback. I got a thumbs up on the first try.

The only thing that ended up different from what I was envisioning was the stairs; I wanted short run, landing, long run up, ended up long run, landing, short run up. No biggie, it works just fine either way.

Another interesting tidbit: no down payments for either the slab or the build; the different contractors came, did their thing, and expected their payment in full at the end of the work. I was in charge of paying for materials directly with the suppliers so I know I paid exactly what the bills of sale stated at the contractor bulk rate. In hindsight I should have squeezed in some extra materials I knew I would use later...

 

[yeldogt]

Not sure about a garage, but in the carwash industry we always plan for the architect to cost around 10% of the overall project cost. Example 5 million dollar facility, would be 50k architect cost.

That's 1%

 

[u2slow]

My building department wouldn't accept my DIY drawings, so hired an 'architect' strictly for that. $2000 I think it was. $500 for an engineer to revise one wall. $500ish for a lot-line survey. I was building within existing bylaws and zoning, so there was nothing extra to do there.

My versatile GC took care of the rest... extensive site prep to lockup. 40x50ish building. No electric, bare studs inside. Was a tough battle to minimally get the bones of building I could finish myself before the budget was blown. I don't feel spending $10k extra on more 'architect' would have helped in my case.

 

[slow]

Your targeting a 2 story build for $50 a square foot in 2021 money? Does your architect think that is a reasonable number for your expectations? Granted pricing varies greatly across this country, but sounds way under numbers I have seen around here, but no information on raw shell inside or climate controlled with both heat and ac, water, electric, and wall/roof coverings. Mention of retaining walls makes me highly concerned at that price point when you want it done the "Right Way" (which I 100% agree with, just providing a question) The 10% for architect is a number I have heard for budgeting often.

 

[reader2580]

Your targeting a 2 story build for $50 a square foot in 2021 money? Does your architect think that is a reasonable number for your expectations? Granted pricing varies greatly across this country, but sounds way under numbers I have seen around here, but no information on raw shell inside or climate controlled with both heat and ac, water, electric, and wall/roof coverings. Mention of retaining walls makes me highly concerned at that price point when you want it done the "Right Way" (which I 100% agree with, just providing a question) The 10% for architect is a number I have heard for budgeting often.

The OP listed a budget of $150,000 so that is about $100 per SF if you assume the first and second floor cost the same. The reality is the second floor should cost less due to no concrete.

 

[p00p]

The OP listed a budget of $150,000 so that is about $100 per SF if you assume the first and second floor cost the same. The reality is the second floor should cost less due to no concrete.

Also the OP already "paid" for the land, & will not have a basement nor a crawlspace. Not sure if that cost was being omitted in the build?

 

[slow]

Good catch, I came up with 3K sq ft when I punched the size into a calculator, but obviously that math doesn't work with 720 sqft per floor... $100/sqft seem much more realistic!

 

[LOW1]

The price does not seem out of line to me.

Look at his portfolio of other work and see if his/her "style" matches up to yours. Talking to his previous customers may be a good idea.

Percentage of the whole may not be the best way to determine fairness. The same work would essentially need to be done if it's a 100k, 150k or 200k garage.