How much does hiring an architect cost?
- Antoine de Gironde
- May 28
- 3 min read
It's often the first question clients ask. An architect's project‑management fees vary depending on the type of work, its complexity, the regulatory context and the scope of the commission. Our Expertise page describes the different phases of a full commission. Here is how fees are structured and what they actually cover.
A percentage of the construction cost
The most common form of remuneration is a percentage applied to the pre‑tax cost of the works, typically between 8% and 15%.
For routine renovation works—facade repairs, roof replacement, apartment refurbishment—the rate is usually 10% to 13%. For complex projects in heritage contexts, with strong regulatory constraints and specific materials, it can reach 13% to 15%.
These fees have not been regulated in France since 1990. When comparing several quotes, you should compare the exact scope of the service, not just the stated rate.
What a full commission includes
A full commission covers all phases of a project. For public contracts, these phases are defined by the MOP law and serve as the reference for private contracts. Our Expertise page details them: survey and report, diagnostic, design, permits, technical specifications (CCTP), tendering of contractors, project management (maîtrise d'œuvre) and final acceptance (reception).
Partial assignments and adjusted fees
It is possible to entrust an architect with a partial assignment: design only, or site supervision only. Fees are naturally lower, but a partial assignment transfers part of the responsibilities to the client. In heritage areas, this arrangement is rarely satisfactory.
Do the fees cover additional expenses?
Usually not. The fees remunerate the design office's intellectual services; mandatory surveys, ground or structural studies carried out by specialist engineering firms and other consultants' fees are excluded. A proper estimate makes this distinction clear.
How do you evaluate whether the fees are reasonable?
Judge fees by the real added value. A diligent architect overseeing a €200,000 project can avert €20–40k in overruns. For heritage projects, a properly prepared dossier can prevent refusal by the ABF or forced restoration after work. See our article 'Financial monitoring of the works'.
Independent project management: the best safeguard for the project owner
Competitive tendering of contractors
Read our article 'The architect‑project manager contract: what to know before signing' for the exact scope of the contract.
The architect coordinates the tender process and reviews bids. A rigorous, CCTP‑based competition enables true comparison of offers and is one of project management’s most valuable roles. It ensures the chosen price reflects the market, that firms are qualified for historic buildings, and that bids are comparable line‑by‑line. Unexplained variances usually signal omitted or underpriced items — which the architect spots before contracts are signed.
An independent, qualified project manager is not an extra expense but a safeguard. The architect has no financial stake in execution: they don’t sell materials, subcontract to affiliated firms, or take commissions. Their sole interest is the client’s.
This independence lets them control costs (verifying payment claims, refusing unjustified extras, ensuring compliance, and securing full removal of defects before releasing retention) and protect deadlines — they don’t profit from prolonging the work.
In heritage projects, independence matters even more: a qualified architect knows ABF rules, chooses firms experienced with old buildings, and protects the project’s architectural quality — a responsibility no contractor can fully shoulder alone.
To go further
Antoine de Gironde
Architecte DESA — Registered with the Order of Architects n°084305
Atelier d'Architecture Antoine de Gironde
10 rue de Fontenay, 78000 Versailles
