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Understanding the Costs: How Much Should You Budget for an Architect?

  • Writer: Chris Ramos
    Chris Ramos
  • 6 days ago
  • 3 min read

When planning a new home, one of the first questions is: what will the architect cost? In the Philippines, architects’ fees are typically quoted as a percentage of the total construction cost. The Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture has established formal guidelines for fee schedules, which have been adopted through an official resolution and published in the Official Gazette, serving as the standard reference. In practice for residential projects, a common range is roughly 6%–15% of construction cost (higher percentages for very complex projects or full-service contracts). These rates vary with scope: For example, a Detailed Architectural & Engineering Design Service (complete package) is billed more than an Architecture-only service. Understanding these percentages is crucial for budgeting your budget effectively.



Consider a typical modern two-story home (around ₱20 million to build). Under the PRC Board’s 2016 guidelines, this falls into “Group 4: Residences.” The recommended fee is 10% of PCC (Project Construction Cost) if the architect provides full architectural + engineering design service (DAEDS), or 6% of PCC for architecture-only (DADS). (Here, PCC means the total cost to complete the building – structure, finishes, systems, etc., excluding the architect’s own fee.) So on a ₱20M project, the guideline values would be about ₱2.0M for the full-service fee or ₱1.2M for architecture-only. These are recommended professional fees, not inflexible laws; they provide a clear benchmark.


In real projects the exact rate can change. Factors like project complexity, quality of finishes, scope of services (e.g. interior design, landscaping or permit assistance) and market demand all affect the final fee. For example, if your house has very intricate features or if you want the architect to supervise construction, the percentage could edge up. Conversely, very simple or repetitive designs might negotiate down. Some firms quote lump-sum fees or offer discounts on large budgets. The key for homeowners is to confirm

scope: ask whether the fee covers basic design only or also full engineering, detailed plans, and site supervision.


It’s also important to understand how the fee is paid. Architects typically divide their fee into installments tied to project milestones. A common scheme might be a small percentage on signing, then progressive payments after schematic design, development plans, and final contract documents, and a final payment when construction completes. (For example, some schedules allocate roughly 5–15% at the design phases and the remainder at handover .) Before you sign a contract, be sure to get a clear breakdown of deliverables and a payment schedule. That way, you can budget your total construction costs (materials, labor and design fees) without surprises.


RCA’s Approach to Fees and Value

Now, let's look at how RCA approaches these fees and ensure value for our clients. At RCA, we view transparency about fees as part of our service. We start by using the official guidelines as a baseline , then tailor the fee to your project’s specifics. In practice this means we’ll clearly outline what’s included (schematic design, permit drawings, coordination with consultants, etc.) and what isn’t (the permits or any structural engineer’s fees). Our proposals break down the percentage and milestone payments in plain language, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.


More importantly, we focus on the value you get. A good architect does more than give you blueprints – we help you save money and avoid costly mistakes through efficient design, smart material choices, and careful coordination. So while our fee might start around the standard rate (e.g. 6–10% for a typical house, per the Board’s guideline ), the investment pays off in quality and peace of mind. We want you to feel that every peso spent on architecture translates into a better home. In short, RCA’s goal is to align our fee structure with your project needs and the official standards, while delivering the highest design value – helping you build confidently from day one.


Sources: The PRC Board of Architecture’s 2016 Architects’ Guidelines (published in the Official Gazette) set out the methods of compensation and fee schedules. These are the official reference documents on architectural fees. The Philippine UAP Standards of Professional Practice and recent industry surveys also confirm that residential architect fees generally fall in the single-digit to low-teens percent range of total construction cost . (Project Construction Cost, per SPP, excludes architects’ fees.) These guidelines and examples help homeowners budget for design services before beginning construction.

 
 
 

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