OUR FEES
At Imagine Architecture, we believe in clear and straightforward communication about our fees, ensuring you have all the information you need from the outset. Here's a brief overview of how our fee structure works:
Our Fee Structure
We offer two main service packages, each designed to meet different project needs:
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Full Service (Discovery, Design, Document, & Create): This comprehensive package typically ranges from 9% to 12% of the approved project cost, plus GST. It's ideal for clients who want end-to-end support throughout their project.
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Partial Service (Discovery, Design, & Document): Focusing on the initial three stages, this option usually falls between 7% and 10% of the approved project cost, plus GST. It's perfect if you're looking for assistance up to the documentation phase.
​​​What Influences the Fee?
The exact percentage depends on the size and complexity of your project:
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Complex Renovations: Due to their intricate nature, these are typically at the higher end of the scale.
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Large, Straightforward New Builds: These projects often fall at the lower end of the percentage range.
An Example for Clarity
Let's say you're planning a new house with a build cost of $1,000,000 (excluding GST):
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Full Service at 10.5%: The fee would be $105,000 plus GST.
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Partial Service at 7.5%: The fee would be $75,000 plus GST.
For Projects Under $400,000
For projects valued below $400,000 and other specific services, we typically charge based on an hourly rate plus expenses.
​Hybrid Fee Structures
​In some instances a project may warrant a hybrid of percentage and hourly rates. For example the Discovery and Design stages might be agreed to be done on an hourly charge with the Document and Create stages being at a percentage. That percentage would be lower reflecting the portion of the project already covered by hourly rates. This strategy is often employed where the brief is quite open and the design direction for the project is expected to explore a variety of concepts and scenarios.
Building Trust with Clear Agreements
Before we begin any work, we'll provide a comprehensive Agreement for Architectural Design Services (AADS). This document outlines the scope of services, terms of trade, fee structure, and more, ensuring transparency and mutual understanding from the start.
We hope this breakdown helps you understand our fee structure better. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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Note: All fees mentioned are exclusive of GST.
"The difference between good architecture & bad architecture is the time you spend on it."
- David Chipperfield
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
"Tony and the team at Imagine are amazing, right from the beginning Tony really listened to me and designed the perfect house for me and my budget. Tony's architectural design skills, experience and technical knowledge are exceptional. He uses great design and clever thinking on materials to add value and performance throughout his design process.
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Before engaging Imagine I started my building journey with one of the standard group design and build firms but they were not able to think outside the box or work with my site effectively. They just wanted to put up a massive retaining wall and build a cookie cutter house.
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Imagine showed me another way. Through working with Imagine I have ended up with the most amazing home at significantly less cost than going with the standard group design and build model. Tony and the team communicated openly throughout the process, were always available to answer my questions and there were no surprises. I am now living in the house of my dreams. I can't recommend Imagine enough."