Pricing & What You Can Expect

Investment & Engagement Structure

One Thing’s True: Price Doesn’t Equal Value

You could hire an architect who just checks boxes. Or you could work with someone who listens between the lines, surfaces what matters most—even the things you haven’t quite articulated—and creates something that feels like it could only ever belong to you.

That’s the difference. That’s what I do.

Inquire about a Feasibility Review

What Drives Architecture Fees?

Why are some architects more expensive than others? It comes down to four key factors that affect architecture pricing: scope, experience, detail, and process.

  • SCOPE: What’s actually included? Some architects only provide permit drawings, while others guide you through design iterations, approvals, interior details, and construction oversight.

  • EXPERIENCE: More seasoned architects anticipate problems before they arise—saving you time and cost in the long run.

  • DETAIL: Highly detailed drawings help contractors price accurately and avoid confusion during construction. Less detail often leads to delays, surprises, and costly changes.

  • PROCESS: A thoughtful, question-driven design process results in smarter resource use and a space that truly fits you.

Watch the video above for a clear breakdown—and explore our visual chart to see how these factors shape pricing. The more of these you value, the more value you’ll get from your architect.

What Makes the Price Go Up

  • Scope and scale
    Larger homes or more involved renovations simply come with more layers to think through. More design, more documents, more logistics.

  • Site constraints and permitting
    Some sites are straightforward. Others require creative problem-solving, permit strategy, or working around zoning roadblocks.

  • Client pace and revision cycles
    A focused client who makes decisions with clarity keeps things moving. Frequent changes or long pauses increase the hours involved.

  • Material choices and level of finish
    Some architects call finishes the “jewelry” of a home. That suggests they’re optional extras. I don’t see them that way.

    Whether it’s a modest tile or something sculptural, finishes inform how a space moves, feels, and holds together. The work isn’t about chasing luxury—it’s about choosing with care and intention. Every material must be thought through, coordinated, and integrated seamlessly. Because these are the things you live with every day.

What Brings the Price Down

  • Smaller projects with a focused scope

  • Straightforward sites with fewer unknowns

  • Clear priorities and fast decision-making

  • Simpler finishes and more standard selections

  • A limited role during construction

Worth noting though—less time, less design, and less involvement means the end result may not reach the same level of thoughtfulness or resolution.

The Value of Integrated Design

Standard Architect:

  • Delivers a permit set. Leaves lighting, cabinetry, and material selection to the owner or a third party.

Andrew Mikhael Architect:

  • Delivers a cohesive vision. We integrate architecture, interiors, and site strategy into one rigorous documentation set. This reduces change orders and eliminates the friction of managing separate design teams.

REMEMBER

Architects all have their own pricing models and it is almost never apples to apples.

Interior designers and builders pricing often banks on selling you product, which can reduce their design fee but they make it up in sales. It doesn’t mean they are charging less, just differently.

Minimum Engagement

Investment Profile

  • New Construction (Budgets $1.5M+): Typical investment ranges from 12% to 18% of construction cost. Why the range? The lower end represents architectural scope (site, shell, and layout). The higher end represents Integrated Commissions, where we also design custom cabinetry, lighting, and select all interior finishes.

  • Major Renovations (Budgets $500k+): Typical investment ranges from 18% to 24% of construction cost. Why the premium? Renovation requires a higher level of on-site problem solving, forensic measurement, and careful integration of new systems into existing structures.

What That Fee Actually Covers

  • A thoughtful Needs Analysis before a single line is drawn

  • Architectural design developed through conversation, iteration, and insight—not just output

  • Permit-ready documentation that’s clear, coordinated, and builder-friendly

  • Interior design and material selection integrated from day one, not bolted on later

  • 3D models that help you see and understand the space before it’s built

  • Color renderings, walkthroughs, and sun studies so you can experience how it feels—light, space, mood—before construction begins

  • Construction oversight to protect the vision and help guide decisions when things shift on site

Things That Aren’t Usually Included (But You’ll Want to Know)

  • Structural and MEP engineers

  • Surveyors, geotech, energy modeling

  • Permit filing fees

  • High-end materials or specialty consultants

  • Construction costs themselves

  • Scope creep or changes made late in the game

Is It Worth It?

It depends on what you want.

If you’re looking for a quick set of plans and don’t mind figuring the rest out along the way, there are architects for that.

If you’re looking for someone to create something that fits your life, elevates your space, and stands the test of time—you’ll see the value in what I offer.

The Questions I Hear (and What I’d Tell You)

What’s included?

  • Design that doesn’t just solve problems. It creates spaces that feel inevitable, meaningful, and unmistakably yours.

  • Renderings and walkthroughs so you can see and feel the space before a single wall is built.

  • Construction drawings that your contractor can build from and your building department can approve.

  • Managing the permitting process so you're not left navigating red tape.

  • Once construction begins, I stay involved. I answer questions, coordinate details, and help keep everything aligned with the original vision.

Everything needed to bring it to life.

Do you charge hourly or fixed?
Project fees are scoped based on the project. You’ll know what to expect before we begin.

Can you work with my builder?
Yes. I value collaboration. I’ve built strong relationships with contractors and know how to make that process smooth.

How do we control costs?
By treating cost as a living part of the design process—not a surprise at the end.

That’s why I bring contractors into the conversation early, during what I call The Pause in the Artistic Home Process. It’s a reality check. You get pricing feedback while we’re still designing, not after everything’s locked in.

Construction cost depends on three things: the design, the contractor, and the market timing. I’ve seen projects with nearly identical designs priced very differently by two capable builders. Residential pricing is less predictable than commercial—it’s part art, part market behavior, and part people.

Bringing those people into the room early is how we keep your project clear-eyed and grounded from the start.

When do I start paying?
To start our Needs Analysis, once we’ve both agreed to move forward during the Next Steps call.

One Last Thing

You’re not just hiring an architect. You’re choosing how you want to live, how you want to feel in your home, and what kind of experience you want the process to be.

I don’t create cookie-cutter designs. I don’t take shortcuts. I ask hard questions, listen deeply, and bring something to life that surprises and delights you—because it just fits.

If that sounds like what you're looking for, let’s talk.