06/01/2023
Typical early rough estimates for A&E and reining in clients expectations: We need to figure out what your jurisdiction requires and the best way to move forward.
new construction
$500,000 budget
2,300 sqft
level of detail: A&E = medium 10.5% of construction costs
Mechanical (HVAC): Manual J Required $500
Electrical: Not required
Plumbing: WSSC spreadsheets required $500
*MEP is determined by jurisdiction. DC residential or commercial in Maryland may be 1/5 of A&E fees. Arch (2/5) and Engineering (2/5)
One important note: the best ways to keep cost down on residential projects would be to use slab instead of basement (saving 50k ish), and using cheap floor tiles. I believe this project may come in around $575,000 construction cost. I have not gotten a response from my contractors yet.
I am looking at what fees we will incur during the design phase of the project. You could say that architectural designers are like general contractors for the design process. They hire an electrician, We hire an electrical engineer. They hire HVAC and plumbers .We hire a Mechanical engineer, but the necessity for each of our consultants and the work they are required to do changes by jurisdiction and project type. MEP, Structural and civil engineering maybe about a third to half of my fees.
Design Phases
by time on sheets listed by contractor
Floorplans 800
HVAC 900 with consultant
Electrical 600
plumbing 500 w/ consultant
4 elevations 1600
building section 400
wall/roof sections 800
+ structural/civil
$1/ square feet as a rough idea for structural that includes basement, garages, decks, area ways and floors above basement. $2300
By Estimated Time, Permit only, no custom design, no civil and other fees:
i. Cover Sheet -(project information) $800
ii. Site plan $300
iii. Demolition Plan -Not in contract (N.I.C.)
iv. Roof Plan $300
v. Proposed Floor Plans $800
vi. Elevations $1600
vii. Section $400
viii. Details $1600
iix. Mechanical Plan– $900 w/ $500 estimated consultant
ix. Electrical Plan – $600
x. Plumbing plan – $500 estimated consultant
* $1/ square feet as a rough idea for structural that includes basement, garages, decks, area ways and floors above the basement. $2300
$10,400
We could do low level design and permit set only at 7% construction fees and construction documents only at 7% of 500,000 = 40,250, 40% of 4,250 = $16,100 includes Arch, structural, civil, MEP
Full Package: The more complicated way I get $575,000 for new construction at medium detail ,etc. A&E comes out to 10.5% at medium detail (-$5,000 risk factor) for the whole package. Basic Architectural services, Geotech, structural, MEP, survey, civil (hydrology), and landscape consultant included. I can talk to my contractors and try to figure out the exact price, I likely included fees not needed by the county,but opting out of some could put the project at risk. IE soil testing, grading plan (civil engineering), etc
* levels of details include low design at 7%, medium design at 10.5%, high end design at 11.5%, very complex design at 13.5%
Schematic design:13% of Arch fees , includes 3 design meetings with three options each. floor plans, elevations, section.
Design Development: 17% more detailed plans than SD,includes cabinets, finishes, materials, measurements
Construction documents 40% includes all sheets necessary for permitting and construction. I must redesign to accommodate budget at no additional cost
Bidding & Negotiations 5% Bidding to various consultants and the general contractor.
Contract administration 25% answering RFI's from general contractor. Inspecting construction for compliance.review contractors request for payment.
These fees typically include everything in the Basic architectural services plus other consultants necessary for a successful project in the long run.
