Architects Fees

R30k for those plans on those extensions? :confused:

Sounds like a rip off..if thats 5%, then your extensions are going to cost R600,000? Or am I missing something.
 
Khanya said:
That just sounds wrong.
Click to expand...
How so?

He drew the plans and I paid him for his expertise. If you're thinking I exploited him, grads don't immediately just walk into a job and he needed money. Also they want exposure and references which I told him I'll do. Hell I got him more business than what he would have had because I refereed quite a few guys to him.
 
I got plans done for a new garage in November. Cost me 1600, including all stamps, the letter from fire dept, plan submission fee and the guy submitted them on my behalf.

Sounds like the guy is ripping you off... Get someone else asap.
 
PearlJam said:
I just feel it is a bit excessive for a garage, new entrance and lounge to pay just over R30k for plans.

Am i wrong?
Click to expand...

I think its reasonable to charge a percentage but what you are saying seems very excessive. R30k for plans alone?

If they charged 10% of the construction cost (I'm just taking an arbitrary number), that would mean to construct a garage, lounge and entrance is going to cost you R300k?

That alone seems a bit high and then if that percentage goes above 10%, it seems as though the percentage charge is getting a bit excessive. Have you looked at the quotes he got or how he came to a value for the construction cost on which the percentage is based?
 
Last edited:
xrapidx said:
R30k for those plans on those extensions? :confused:

Sounds like a rip off..if thats 5%, then your extensions are going to cost R600,000? Or am I missing something.
Click to expand...

lol. I just replied using the same logic! Only read the first page so didn't see you comment. I completely agree!
 
IceDreama said:
I think its reasonable to charge a percentage but what you are saying seems very excessive. R30k for plans alone?

If they charged 10% of the construction cost (I'm just taking an arbitrary number), that would mean to construct a garage, lounge and entrance is going to cost you R300k?

That alone seems a bit high and then if that percentage goes above 10%, it seems as though the percentage charge is getting a bit excessive. Have you looked at the quotes he got or how he came to a value for the construction cost on which the percentage is based?
Click to expand...

The building industry - along with the insurance assessors etc. - all use a rule-of-thumb rate of 'x per square metre'.

This rate varies depending on room (e.g. bathrooms are more expensive than garages), finish (e.g. local tiles vs. imported Italian) and location (builders in Johannesburg charge more than those in Pofadder).

A rate of around R8,000 per square metre was pretty normal a few years back, so R300K for a largish lounge, entrance hall & double garage would not be excessive for Johannesburg.

And yes, one can get it more cheaply ...
 
It was calculated at buildings rates times the squares, which was R600k

I have spoken to him and we he wants R13 250 for the concept and I get another guy to do the plans. The concept is technically exactly what I asked for. Very expensive lesson....and some future awkwardness at family gatherings
 
PearlJam said:
It was calculated at buildings rates times the squares, which was R600k

I have spoken to him and we he wants R13 250 for the concept and I get another guy to do the plans. The concept is technically exactly what I asked for. Very expensive lesson....and some future awkwardness at family gatherings
Click to expand...

What squares are we talking about from this extension?

He is well within his rights to charge x% for the work.. but if he wasn't upfront about it from the start.. then there could be issues.

As for awkwardness at family gatherings, why should there be... you made a mistake, he made a mistake.. you come to an agreement and everyone moves on.
 
PearlJam said:
I recently decided it is time for the additions that I have been planning. So I asked someone in the family who is an architect if he wants to do the plans, with the idea that I can help them financially as it isn't going great with them.

He did a mockup of how he sees it and we agreed to some changes. Then he sent the bill before he starts with the technical drawings. This is where my question comes in. Is it standard for an architect to charge a % of what he calculates the building cost to be? Shouldn't I pay per hour for the time he puts in like all other work?

I just feel it is a bit excessive for a garage, new entrance and lounge to pay just over R30k for plans.

Am i wrong?
Click to expand...

LOL?!?!?! R 30k?

No ways...

Why have it done through an architect anyway? Get a normal draftsman to do it.
 
PearlJam said:
It was calculated at buildings rates times the squares, which was R600k

I have spoken to him and we he wants R13 250 for the concept and I get another guy to do the plans. The concept is technically exactly what I asked for. Very expensive lesson....and some future awkwardness at family gatherings
Click to expand...
What? Don't be too naive. I've never heard of an architect charging you for a concept.

I'm tell him to go shove his concept!!!
 
What kind of family is he anyway?

I would never have charged a family member to draw a few lines late one evening. Nor would any of my family members do it to me...
 
What do you normally pay the draughtman for? I contacted a draughtman to do plans for me: One outside building and an alteration to the main property. The outside building was not approved, so I decided to leave it out and now this guy wants to charge me also for the non-approved building. Is this right?
 
stepper said:
What do you normally pay the draughtman for? I contacted a draughtman to do plans for me: One outside building and an alteration to the main property. The outside building was not approved, so I decided to leave it out and now this guy wants to charge me also for the non-approved building. Is this right?
Click to expand...

He did the drawings for you... so yes, you must pay for them... surely the municipality told you why it wasn't approved so you could get it altered to be approved?
 
sounds like a rip to me, NEVER do business with family and friends.
 
ToxicBunny said:
He did the drawings for you... so yes, you must pay for them... surely the municipality told you why it wasn't approved so you could get it altered to be approved?
Click to expand...

It was not approved and it will never be, because of encroachment to a building line (apparently a 'big' road is planned behind my property, which requires a 20m building line). Surely as a professional he should have known about this.
 
stepper said:
It was not approved and it will never be, because of encroachment to a building line (apparently a 'big' road is planned behind my property, which requires a 20m building line). Surely as a professional he should have known about this.
Click to expand...

How exactly would he have known that?

There are hundreds upon hundreds of development plans in the city.. and you're expecting a draughtsman to know about some random road being built behind your property.....
 
Its in the Township SG diagram and deeds registrar...which as a registered person will access to those records.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X