Why pricing is individual
Two buildings of the same floor area can differ twofold in the work required. A simple farm building on flat ground is a different proposition from a house on a sloping plot with a basement, several level changes and a landscape protection consultation.
I therefore quote once I know the site and the brief. The quotation is itemised stage by stage, so nothing comes as a surprise later.
What affects the fee
| Factor | Why it matters | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Building type | Residential, agricultural and tourism buildings face different requirements | Significant |
| Floor area and storeys | More drawings, more complex structure | Significant |
| Site conditions | Slope, basement, earthworks, unfavourable orientation | Moderate to significant |
| Type of procedure | Notification, permit or combined procedure | Moderate |
| Number of disciplines | Structure, mechanical, electrical, energy, fire safety | Moderate |
| Bespoke structures | Long spans, exposed concrete, one-off timber structures | Moderate |
| Protected status | Landscape protection, historic setting, World Heritage candidate area | Moderate |
What the fee covers
The contract sets out which stages the commission covers. The fee typically includes:
- meetings and the site visit,
- the concept design and the agreed number of revision rounds,
- the documentation required for the agreed procedure,
- submission and correspondence with the authority,
- coordination of the engineering designers, where the commission is for lead consultancy.
Costs worth budgeting separately
- Official procedure and administrative service fees.
- Land survey and soil investigation report.
- Engineering drawings, where the commission is not for lead consultancy.
- Energy performance certificate for occupancy approval.
- Visualisations and animation, if requested separately.
- Design supervision during construction, if not included in the contract.
Payment schedule
The fee is tied to stages, so payment follows the work: on acceptance of the concept, on delivery of the documentation for the authority, and on completion of the construction drawings. Exact proportions are set out in the contract.
The first consultation is free and without obligation. I clarify the task there and send a written quotation on that basis.