Transparent · Staged · Written

Architects' fees,
without the mystery.

Residential 8–10% · Commercial 7–10% Written proposals · Stage-by-stage breakdown
01 — How We Charge

A percentage of build cost, not an hourly rate.

Architects' fees are calculated as a percentage of construction cost — typically 8–10% for residential work and 7–10% for commercial. We quote the full fee up front in a written proposal, broken down by RIBA stage so you can see exactly what you're paying for at every step.

02 — Fee Calculator

An honest fee estimate,
before you commit.

Slide to your project size and select scope of service. We'll calculate an indicative fee range based on Woods Architects' typical rates — a starting point for conversation, not a quotation.

Residential 8–10%
Commercial 7–10%
Feasibility £1.5–5k fixed
180 m²
Indicative fee · To Completion £ — on build cost —

Based on typical South-of-England build rates (£2,800–£4,500/m²) and Woods residential fees (8–10%). Final fees are confirmed in a written proposal.

03 — Where Your Fee Goes

Stage by stage, fee by fee.

The RIBA Plan of Work breaks an architectural project into seven stages. Our fee is distributed across these stages — you pay as we deliver each one. Stop the project at any point and you only pay for completed stages.

First conversation 100% of total architectural fee Practical Completion
Strategic
Definition
0
Free
Preparation
& Briefing
1
10%
Concept
Design
2
18%
Spatial
Coordination
3
15%
Technical
Design
4
22%
Construction
5
25%
Handover
6
10%
04 — Service Levels

Three ways to engage us.

Most clients want a full RIBA Stage 0–6 service. But we offer partial scopes too — useful if you just need planning, or if you've already got a contractor.

Option A

Up to Planning

Stages 0–3. We take you from first conversation through to planning approval. Typical fee: ~43% of full fee.

For clients with their own contractor and technical team.

Option B

Up to Building Regs

Stages 0–4. Planning approval plus a full technical design package. Typical fee: ~65% of full fee.

For clients procuring a contractor independently after technical design.

Option C

To Completion

Stages 0–6. Full service through tender, contract administration and snagging. Typical fee: 100%.

The route with the lowest risk of nasty surprises.

05 — Pre-Project

Feasibility study? Fixed fee.

Before you commit to a full appointment we can produce a short feasibility study — capacity test, planning policy review, indicative budget — for a fixed fee of £1,500–£5,000 depending on site complexity. It usually pays for itself by de-risking everything downstream.

Initial consultations are always free. Feasibility is the next step when there's a real site involved.

Get a Written Fee Proposal

No surprises. No hidden margins.

Tell us about your project and we'll send a written fee proposal within one working day. Free and without obligation.