Architects usually send a fee proposal or estimate after an initial consultation and site visit, and before a contract is signed. Clients typically compare fees across two or three firms, so the proposal needs to make clear exactly which phases, deliverables, and number of meetings are included, not just the total number.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
Upload logo
PDF will be generated with filename:
Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Clients often assume you cover everything from sketches to final inspection. State which of the phases you are including, such as schematic design through construction administration.
Listing items such as floor plans, elevations, a 3D model, permit drawings, and specifications prevents arguments over what a completed set looks like.
Unlimited revisions are the biggest threat to fixed fees. Specify how many rounds of changes and client meetings are included.
Structural, MEP, civil, geotechnical, and surveying work are often separate costs. Say who hires them and whether their fees are in your number.
If your fee depends on a budget or square footage, state those assumptions so you can adjust the fee if the project grows.
Clients should know that printing, travel, and government fees are billed separately, and whether you mark them up.
Interior design, furniture selection, renderings, zoning appeals, and extended construction administration should be listed as extras with hourly rates.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Principal / licensed architect time | per hour | $150-300 |
| Project architect or designer time | per hour | $100-175 |
| CAD/BIM drafter time | per hour | $60-110 |
| Residential design, full services | % of construction cost | 8-15% |
| Schematic design phase, single-family home | flat fee | $3,000-10,000 |
| Existing conditions survey and as-built drawings | per sq ft | $0.50-2.50 |
| Permit set / construction documents, small addition | flat fee | $4,000-15,000 |
| Construction administration site visit | per visit | $250-600 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
A phase-by-phase fee table shows clients what they are paying for, lets them stop after schematic design if needed, and gives you natural billing points.
Estimate hours by role for each phase, multiply by your rates, and compare with the percentage-of-cost figure. If the two are far apart, revisit your assumptions before sending the proposal.
Existing buildings often hide problems that need additional measuring or redesign. Include an allowance for existing conditions work or make it hourly until the site is understood.
Fees depend on your workload and on how costs are changing. Valid for 30 days is common, and it encourages decisions without pressure.
Many architects offer a short free introductory meeting, then charge for site visits, feasibility studies, or zoning research. Credit the paid work against the fee if the client signs a full agreement.
Your proposal should say whether redesign to meet budget is included. Many agreements treat redesign after bidding as additional service unless the budget was set and agreed in writing before design began.
No. A proposal outlines scope and price, while an agreement adds legal terms such as ownership of drawings, liability, termination, and payment terms. Many architects attach the proposal to a standard agreement form and have the client sign both.
Use the Architect invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Architect invoice template