Architect Fee Percentage by Project Phase: 2025 Report
This report provides a 2025 analysis of architectural fee percentages by project phase, using data from the American Institute of Architects, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, and leading industry publications to establish clear benchmarks for architects, developers, and property owners.
1. Architect Fee Percentage by Project Phase - 2025
The most common method for distributing architectural fees is by project phase. The table below shows the standard fee allocation across the five traditional phases of architectural services.
| Project Phase | Typical Fee Percentage | Typical Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schematic Design (SD) | 15% | 10% to 20% | Initial design concepts, preliminary drawings, basic floor plans |
| Design Development (DD) | 20% | 15% to 25% | Refinement of design, material selection, detailed specifications |
| Construction Documents (CD) | 40% | 35% to 50% | Complete technical drawings, specifications, permit documents |
| Bidding and Negotiation | 7% | 5% to 10% | Contractor selection, bid review, contract negotiation |
| Construction Administration (CA) | 22% | 15% to 30% | Site visits, progress reviews, project closeout |
Key Findings:
Construction Documents phase accounts for the largest portion at 40% of total fees, reflecting the intensive technical work required to produce complete, permit-ready drawings
Early design phases (SD + DD) together represent 35% of the total fee, emphasizing the importance of front-loaded planning and design
Construction Administration requires 20% of fees despite being the longest phase, as the architect's role shifts to oversight rather than active production
2. Architect Fee Percentage by Service Level - 2025
This table breaks down fee structures for different service levels, from basic consultation to comprehensive design and construction administration.
| Service Level | Fee Structure | Typical Cost | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | Hourly | $150 to $500 per session | Site review, feasibility discussion, preliminary advice | Early stage planning |
| Schematic Design Only | Fixed Fee | $2,000 to $10,000 | Concept drawings, basic floor plans, elevations | Design build projects |
| Full Service (No CA) | Percentage of construction cost | 6% to 10% | All phases except construction administration | Experienced developers |
| Full Service with CA | Percentage of construction cost | 8% to 15% | All six phases including construction administration [8] | Most residential clients |
| Construction Administration Only | Percentage of construction cost | 3% to 5% | Site visits, RFIs, change orders, inspections | Design build handoffs |
| Hourly Consulting | Hourly | $100 to $250 per hour | Flexible scope, as needed services | Small projects or advice only |
Key Insights:
The most common fee structure in 2025 remains the percentage-of-construction-cost model at 8-15% for full-service residential work.
Hourly rates for licensed architects range from $100-$250 per hour, with the national average at approximately $200/hour.
3. Architect Fee Percentage by Project Phase for BIM Projects - 2025
Building Information Modeling (BIM) projects require more intensive work during early phases, shifting the fee distribution compared to traditional projects.
| Project Phase | Percentage of Total Fee (BIM Projects) | Traditional Project Percentage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schematic Design | 20% to 25% | 15% | +5% to +10% |
| Design Development | 20% to 25% | 20% | 0% to +5% |
| Construction Documents | 25% to 35% | 40% | -5% to -15% |
| Bidding and Negotiation | 2.5% to 5% | 5% | -2.5% to 0% |
| Construction Administration | 20% to 25% | 20% | 0% to +5% |
Key Findings:
BIM projects shift work earlier in the design process, with Schematic Design potentially requiring up to 25% of total fees.
The Construction Documents phase reduces to 25-35% because much coordination work occurs during earlier phases, leading to fewer conflicts later on.
4. Architect Fee Percentage by Project Type - 2025
Fee percentages vary significantly based on project type, with residential projects typically commanding higher percentage fees than commercial work.
| Project Type | Typical Fee Range (% of Construction Cost) | Low End | High End | Complexity Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential — New Custom Home | 10% to 15% | 8% | 20% | Moderate to High |
| Residential — Major Renovation | 12% to 20% | 10% | 25% | High due to existing conditions |
| Commercial — Office or Retail | 6% to 10% | 5% | 12% | Moderate |
| Institutional — Schools or Healthcare | 8% to 12% | 6% | 15% | High |
| Industrial or Warehouse | 4% to 8% | 3% | 10% | Low to Moderate |
| High End Custom Residential | 12% to 18% | 10% | 25% | Very High, often includes interior design |
Key Insights:
Residential renovation and remodel projects command 15-25% higher fees than new construction due to the complexity of working with existing conditions, code compliance challenges, and the need for extensive documentation of as-built conditions.
Commercial architectural fees have evolved from a traditional 6% standard to 8-12% in 2025, reflecting increased code complexity, sustainability requirements, and technology integration demands
Industry Trends Affecting Architect Fees in 2025
Technology Integration Increasing Early-Phase Investment: BIM and advanced visualization tools have shifted more work—and fees, to early design phases.
Sustainability Requirements Now Standard: Energy modeling and sustainable design strategies have transitioned from "additional services" to standard expectations, increasing baseline fees by 5-10%.
Code Complexity Driving Up Documentation Costs: Increased building code requirements have increased the Construction Documents phase workload by an estimated 15-20% since 2020.
Construction Administration Demands Growing: Architects report spending 20-30% more time on construction administration activities due to supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.
Requesting a Copy of This Report
This comprehensive breakdown of architect fee percentages by project phase provides essential benchmarks for budgeting architectural services in 2025.
For real estate developers, construction professionals, and design industry stakeholders, accurate fee projections are critical for project feasibility analysis and budget management.
Sources
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