Does anyone know roughly how much it will cost to get an architect to draw up plans for 4-5 units/townhouses on a block of land?
Thanks in advanceHi Bonnie,
Many of them charge a % of the cost of the development, particularly the really good ones. Before anybody can give you a reasonable estimate you need to state what the purpose of the plans are, does there first need to be a development application, you need specific plans for this, are you after everything including the building specifications, or just concept plans for a due dilligence?
Regards
AlistairThanks for your reply APerry.
I’m really only just throwing some figures around at the moment, and trying to work out what all the outgoing costs would be if I was to develop a block of land that we own.Why use an architect?
I use project builders and it is seems to work out a lot less as they do the lot, from plans, to building and then sell.
Byronent
Adelaide SAHi Bonnie,
I’m not sure what state you’re in, but I’ll tell you what your steps woulkd be if you are in Victoria. First you need to find a good architect or draftperson. This is incredibly important, more important than the price they charge(within reason) as you will not get a permit for a poorly designed development.
The designer will come up with a concept plan, which will detail the size of the development and basic design. This will show you how many units you can get and theeir size. You can get a rough idea of the end value from the development from this, and make up your mind if you want to go ahead. You can also take these plans into council and discuss what their attitude is likely to be. This process should cost you less than $5K (this is off the top of my head, I can give you some better estimates after I’m back at work if you like).
If you decide to proceed you then need to get towen planning drawings done and go through the planning process. This might also include using a town planning consultant, surveyor, traffic engineer, arborist etc. (nb. these consultants are not always all needed, but you will not know until you start the process).
Once you have your permit, you then need to get building drawings done, to get a building permit.
You can see there are a number of steps you must take, and you will not really know what your end costs will be until you actually get into it. My advice to you is find a good designer (be that an architect or draftsman) and go through the first stage. You will then be able to make a better assessment of the potential for your development.
Happy New Year
AlistairOriginally posted by Bonnie:Does anyone know roughly how much it will cost to get an architect to draw up plans for 4-5 units/townhouses on a block of land?
Thanks in advanceThere are a lot of standardized plans that are available for ~500 a unit. Unless the lot is irregular I don’t recommend hiring an architect at all.
Anion,
You may be able to purchase plans for this price (although I have no idea where), but they would most definately not be suitable if a town planning permit is required. They would also make it far less likely for you to get a permit, not to mention the end product would probably be less saleable.
Thank you to everyone who has replied to this topic. You’ve certainly passed on some very interesting information.
Alistair, you obviously know a great deal about this subject, so when we are further down the track with our planning I will e-mail you for some exact figures (if you don’t mind), although under $5k seems alot cheaper than I thought it would be.
Thanks for all your help once again.Hi Bonnie,
I’m happy to help you where I can, so feel free to email me. The <5K figure was an estimate on concept drawings only by the way. The whole lot will cost a fair bit more.
Regards
AlistairBonnie
I have recently entered a contract to develop a duplex site. I have engaged an architect to develop a sketch design, detailed designs and full documentation. The drawings include every aspect of the building from structures through to handles on the cupboards.
The contract is based on 7% of the estimated development cost.
The architect is also the builder. A great combination!
Bap
7%?
What is your estimated development costs?
Byronent
Adelaide SAByronent
That’s 7% of $350,00 (the building cost)
Bap
Maybe I come from a different country but that seems very high to me.
I get my buildings done by a building company and they take care of it all for me and unless they factor it in, I have never paid anything remotely close to that.
Byronent
Adelaide SAByronent
A couple of points:
The cost really does depend on what you are after. The aim of my duplex development is to gain the most from the selling process therefore they need to be quite individual and functional for the local environment (on a slope and next to a creek).
Architectural costs would obviously be a lot less if you have a standard design.
I would have a chat to your builder to check the mark up in this area.
If you can get costs cheaper good luck to you
Bap
I use a project builder and I have to say, I am yet to find a piece of land they can’t build on.
Thanks for the Luck but I dont’ need, quite happy working with the people around me.
Hope it works out for you and you do get the results your after.
Byronent
Adelaide SA
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