How we Charge.
A clear and transparent guide to our pricing structure, which is bespoke based on your project.
Our Principles.
How much do Architects or Chartered Architectural Tecnologists charge?
Architect’s or Chartered Architectural Technologist’s fees can vary, but when you include all design-related costs - such as planning applications, structural engineering, and Building Regulations - most clients we work with spend around 5–10% of the total construction cost to get a project ready to build. This can be higher for more complex or rural projects, or homes with special constraints. Always check what’s included, as some designers only produce drawings, while others guide you through the entire design and approval process.
Typical Examples of Design and Approval Costs
Understanding Architectural Fees and Value
Architects’ and Chartered Architectural Technologists’ fees can vary widely, and that’s completely normal. Where differences do exist, they are usually linked to the amount of time genuinely allocated to a project and, to a lesser extent, the size and structure of the practice.
What matters most is not the fee itself, but how that time is used.
At Speaks Design Services, we see every project as an opportunity to add value to your home, not simply to produce drawings. Thoughtful design can improve layouts, strengthen planning outcomes and reduce costly changes later on. In many cases, a modest increase in design time can lead to a far greater uplift in overall value. For example, a £1,000 investment in design-stage value engineering can avoid £10,000 of unnecessary construction costs later on.
That said, there is a clear point where additional time no longer delivers meaningful returns. We are very conscious of this and carefully set our fees to reflect the right level of input for each project. This ensures the work remains proportionate, effective and fair, without over-designing or overcharging.
Our client reviews, the strongest in the area, consistently reflect this approach. Clients value not just the finished design, but the return on investment achieved through careful, considered input from the outset.
Rather than focusing solely on fees, we believe it is more helpful to understand the level of care, time and experience being applied to your project, and how that contributes to the final outcome.
The Highest Rated Practice in the region.
“We had been refused planning permission in the past so we were unsure that we could extend our house in a way that met our needs. We asked Théo to see if he could suggest any ways to improve our house and get through planning. He advised us that we could do what we wanted under permitted development and then arranged the drawings and obtained approval certificates from the Council. Thank you for your excellent work and hands on support.”
— Ania Gorzka“I can’t recommend Theo highly enough. We had all sorts of challenges with our builder and planning and Theo was totally unflappable, supportive and creative, ensuring we got exactly the right solution for our needs and our listed building. He’s so effortless to deal with too and very good value for money. Highly recommend!”
— Ann Louise-Woodman“Théo designed our extension for us and from start to finish he’s been fantastic. He’s gone above and beyond in what he’s dealt with, from coming to our home and setting out the prices and process, to dealing with and following up planning applications etc.. He’s very reasonably priced, prompt with his responses/delivery of plans and nothing was ever too much for him. Would highly recommend him to anyone needing architectural assistance with a project.”
— Pippa Prince