Planning application drawings cost between £1,500 and £7,500. This varies depending on the nature of the project, the planning drawings to be submitted to the local authority, the experience of planning consultants engaged, and a few other factors.
Here, we will look into each of these factors, their importance to the planning application process, and how they influence the total figure for the application drawing cost.
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Planning application drawings price list
Hampstead Architect at hampsteadarchitects.com outlines several architect responsibilities in a construction project. One of the essential ones is providing planning application drawings that comply with local planning policies. A full planning application usually includes architectural designs like the location, site, and floor plans.
- Location plan: The location plan identifies where the project is, and often requires a site visit during the design process. The architect handling the design services will include this in his quote.
- Site plan: A site plan shows the spatial planning of any existing structures/facilities on the entire site space.
- Floor plan: This typically includes the ground floor plan and other drawings indicating the general space allocation. This is different from the interior design.
For major building projects like new build houses, it is common for architects to charge a percentage of the project’s budgeted cost. Depending on the experience of the architect and the extent of architectural services required, this percentage can range from 5% to 12%.
But for residential projects like flat conversion, house extensions, or garage conversion, a local architect will likely charge you per hour or by a fixed price. An architectural hourly rate is usually between £50 and £100.
| Project scope | Average cost |
|---|---|
| New build planning application | £ 4,000 |
| New build building reg. & drawings | £ 6,000 |
| One-storey extension planning application | £ 2,000 |
| One-storey extension building reg. & drawings | £ 4,000 |
| Double-storey extension planning application | £ 3,500 |
| Double-storey extension building reg. & drawings | £ 6,000 |
Additional costs you need to consider
Whether it’s a new building work or a simple renovation to existing houses, there’s a lot that goes into the planning cost than the architect’s design fee. You also need to factor in the following into your budget:
Inspection and building control fees
The building control fee is calculated by and payable to the Local Authority Building Control. A building survey typically costs between £200 and £2,000, depending on the size of your house. If your project is in a conservation area, you may need to seek additional consent, which will attract extra fees. It is best to leave your architect to interact with the planning officers on inspection and building control matters.
Structural engineer cost
Apart from the architectural design, you may have to submit structural drawings to the local planning authority. This is seldom a legal requirement for small projects without structural implications. Hiring a structural engineer costs between £50 to £90 an hour for planning approval purposes.
Factors affecting planning application drawings
Several factors affect what designers charge for planning permission application drawings. Here are some:
Location
The project location will significantly influence how much you can expect to pay an architect for planning permission. For instance, London architects will typically charge more than those in other parts of the UK. The closer your project is to a local area, the lower you will likely pay for architectural drawings.
Experience of architect
The architect’s experience level is another factor that determines the overall pricing. If they have more years of experience in the industry and the necessary certification, they will most likely charge you more, unlike a newbie who just joined the profession. planning committee
Before settling for an architect to engage in the planning process, we advise you to obtain quotes from several experts to have a realistic budget idea. That said, working with a qualified and certified professional is advisable to avoid compromising the final outcome. For one, experienced architects are more likely to possess higher approval rates with the London Council planning departments. You can easily screen out prospects by checking whether they appear on the Architects Registration Board (ARB) Register.
Whether you choose to work with an independent architect or a large firm will also have a significant impact. A large firm will most likely charge more for full planning permission drawings than an independent professional.
Project complexity
Construction projects are of different types, each with varying nature and complexity. For example, home extensions, multi- or single-storey loft conversions, and rear extensions will require different levels of professional contribution. If it’s a complex project requiring building regulations approval, the designer’s fee might be high.
Before obtaining an application form, knowing that planning application drawings cost between £1,500 and £7,500 can aid your budgeting if you intend to seek planning consent from the local council. But remember, the final figure will depend largely on the type of work you plan to execute, the project location, and the architect’s experience. With a qualified and experienced architect on board, you can easily convert your ideas into your dream space.