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Hiring an architect to develop plans for a residential project typically costs between $60 and $125 per hour.

Instead of an hourly fee, many architects charge a flat commission rate, based on construction costs. The price is typically 5% to 15% for new construction. But the rate is usually 15% to 20% for remodeling projects, since the architect also has to deal with whatever the previous architect and builder did to the structure.

The most varied rate is based on a price per square foot. In rural Texas, for example, the architect's fee could be around $.75 per square foot. Whereas, a Southern California architect might charge $3.50 (or more) per square foot.

Probably, the most cost-effective approach for the homeowner is a combination of hourly and square foot billing. During the design phase, the architect works by the hour. Hourly billing motivates the client to be readily available when the architect has any questions or problems. After the design is finalized, the architect can produce drawings at a lower cost when using the square foot pricing—because change-orders are minimal at this point.

Architectural firms working on large commercial projects generally don't charge for their services on a per square foot basis. Instead, commercial architects will charge based on the project's complexity and total cost.

Typically, projects are categorized at five different levels:

Group One consists of basic industrial buildings (with no special facilities), parking structures, loft structures, warehouses, and utility buildings.

Group Two consists of simple structures, such as armories, apartment buildings, manufacturing plants, cold storage facilities, etc.

Group Three structures have average complexity, such as classroom buildings, convention halls, detention facilities, gymnasiums, laboratories, medical offices, etc.

Group Four buildings are more complex. Aquariums, auditoriums, art galleries, theaters, and communications buildings would fall in this category.

Group Five structures are the most complicated—due to special function, decoration, and custom-designed furnishings.

As an example, a structure with a cost of less than $500,000 could cost as little as 5.8% for a Group One and as much as 9.8% for a Group Five. Whereas, a structure with a cost of more than $50,000,000 could cost as little as 2.5% for a Group One and as much as 6.5% for a Group Five.

Assuming that a CAD file with existing handicapped accessibility drawings of the existing floor plan can be provided by the landlord, architectural fees for basic tenant improvements range from $2 per square foot to $4 per square foot. As a project increases in complexity (function, details, and finishes), the costs increase correspondingly.

If engineering consultants, such as mechanical, electrical, structural, and plumbing engineers, are required, the architectural fees might be as high as $8 per square foot for a small tenant improvement project. As a rule of thumb, an increase in square footage will reduce the square foot cost.

The architects employed by architectural firms typically get a variety of hands-on training during their architecture studio classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Besides architectural design and construction, they will learn about 3d visualization and rendering, as well as other practical applications of their trade.

A single architect may not be able to provide every possible architectural service available because of both time and training. But a larger architectural firm will likely have just about every professional service available to clients.

For simple projects, consulting services may only be needed. Or plans can be developed without requiring any pre-design services, such as the necessary planning permissions mandated by state and local codes. In such instances, a single architect can adequately handle the project.

Today, it would be very unusual to find an architect who drew plans on paper. Most firms—no matter their size—have CAD drafting software. When drawings are created digitally, it is relatively simple to convert the drawing into a photorealistic architectural rendering. But to help Owners see the completed project even more easily, VR (virtual reality) can create 3d visualization that can include animation.

Larger architectural offices have begun to offer a turnkey service called ‘design-build’. Instead of working with both an architect and a builder, the design-build project delivery system provides the Owner with one entity that is responsible for the entire project—from pre-design planning to occupancy.

Architectural works created on or after December 1, 1990, are subject to copyright protection. As with other copyright protection, only the original work in a design is protected. Standard configurations of spaces are not protected. And standard features, such as windows, doors, and other basic building components, as well as the placement of basic functional elements, are not protected.

If an Owner hires an architect to design a restaurant, for example, the Owner doesn't own the rights to that design even though they paid the architect. This detail only becomes essential if the Owner decides to duplicate the restaurant in another city. In such a case, the architect has the right to a licensing fee for any original work in the design. If an Owner anticipates the possibility of replicating a structure, licensing fees for additional structures should be negotiated with the architect during contract negotiations.