CostGuide

Home & Repair

Architect cost in the US

Nationally, Architect runs about 12% of the project cost. This fee does not move much with local prices, so it looks similar in every city.

Typical cost

Most people pay about

12%

of the project cost

Fair price range: 8% to 18%

On the low end
8%
On the high end
18%

This is a percentage fee, so it does not change with local prices. Not a quote.

How prices have moved

Up 3.1%past year

Up 23.9%over five years

How prices for services other than rent have moved nationally, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (Services less rent of shelter, CUUR0000SASL2RS), through August 2026. It tracks price change, not the dollar prices on this page.

What moves the price

  1. Project type
  2. Permit drawings
  3. Revisions
  4. Site complexity
  5. Interior scope

Ways to pay less

  1. Bring a clear program
  2. Limit revision rounds
  3. Use a residential specialist
  4. Ask about hourly vs percent
  5. Reuse existing surveys

Architect in every city

Typical estimate for each city. Open one for the full range.

District of Columbia
Mississippi
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Dakota

Questions people ask

Architect: what does it cost?

Across the US, Architect typically costs about 12% of the project cost, with most prices between 8% and 18%.

Is this a quote?

No. These figures are estimates built from national price data and each city's cost of living. A local pro will price your actual job.