Home design costs

Do you want a house that completely suits your living preferences and needs? Have your home designed by an architect. Enough space for you and your family and the layout exactly how you want it. An architect will listen to your wishes and draw a design for your new home, ready to be built. Read the options and costs of designing a house in this clear article.

What does designing a house cost?

The design for a house ready to be built can only be made by an architect. Therefore, the cost of designing a house also depends on the architect you hire. The cost of designing a new-build house is not far apart and has everything to do with your specific requirements and what work you want to make use of.

Price examples

See below 3 price examples of costs for an architect to design a house:

Costliest choice:

The cheapest choice in designing a house is when you only have the drawings for your home made. You discuss your requirements and the architect will give advice and make drawings that can be used to build your new home. The average cost for drawings for a new-build family home is £7,000.

Middle way:

Although prices are not far apart, the middle way in designing a house offers just a little more extra than the cheapest choices. The architect asks about your requirements and makes a preliminary design of your home. This preliminary design is discussed at length and modified until the house is completely to your liking. The architect finally provides a final design for your new home. The price for this is around £8,700.

Most extensive choice:

You choose the most extensive choice if you receive building supervision from your architect in addition to designing your house. The architect will ask about your requirements and eventually create a final design of your dream home. When you are ready to start construction, the architect will help select the right contractors and offer construction supervision. Construction supervision or management involves the architect keeping an eye on things during construction and giving instructions so that the construction of your home continues to go smoothly. The average cost of this is £18,500 for the architect.

What does the price breakdown of a house design look like?

What choices determine the cost of a house design?

The amount of the cost of designing a house depends on the following choices:

Choice 1: A superstructure, extension or new build

If you want to have a new build house built, you will hire an architect. However, the architect can also make drawings for your existing home, such as a superstructure or extension. The costs vary widely, ranging from £2,000 for drawings of an extension to £12,000 for drawings of a new house.

Choice 2: Only the design or also the building supervision

A smart choice is to have your architect do not only the design but also the building supervision. Once the final design is made and construction starts, your architect will follow the construction throughout the process and give instructions if necessary. It is useful to have the construction supervision done by the same person who also did the drawings for your home because he/she knows the ins and outs of your home. If you use construction supervision, you can be sure that the construction of your home will go as quickly and smoothly as possible. The average cost for just the design of a new house is around £7,000, the cost for your architect including building supervision is on average £18,500.

Choice 3: A large architectural firm or a ZZP’er

The cost of designing a house depends on the architect you hire. In the Netherlands, there are many different architectural firms and there are architects who work as ZZP’er. The costs of a ZZP’er are lower because they have fewer expenses within their own company. By looking at reviews and previous projects of both parties and comparing them, you will make an informed decision. This way, you choose an architect who has the best background to suit your needs.