Fees & Costs
Q: How does Houz Design charge for architectural services?
A:
We offer a fixed architectural fee tailored to each individual project. This includes everything from concept design right through to approval — whether that’s a planning decision or a granted building warrant.
Our proposals break down:
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What services are included
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What’s not included
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Any potential additional costs (e.g. engineering, SAP reports)
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We make it clear from the start so there are no surprises.
Q: What if the council comes back with changes or objections — do you charge more?
A:
No — revisions are included. Our fee isn’t just for producing drawings — it covers the entire process through to a decision. If the local authority requests design amendments or further clarification (for either planning or building warrants), we handle all that as part of our service.
We only charge additional fees if:
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The client makes significant changes to the brief after designs are already submitted
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A completely new application or redesign is required due to a change in direction
In most normal circumstances, everything needed to secure approval is included within the original fixed fee.
Q: What extra costs might I need to budget for beyond the architectural fee?
A:
You may need to cover additional statutory fees or third-party consultant costs, depending on the project. Here’s a typical guide:
ItemTypical Cost RangeNotes
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Planning Application Fee£360 – £700Paid to your local council. We confirm the exact amount for you.
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Building Warrant Fee Based on build value E.g. ~£1,080 for a £150k build. Payable to the council.
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Structural Engineer (SER Cert.)£700 – £2,500Required for most structural work — we’ll source and manage this.
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SAP & U-Value Calculations£250 – £400Needed for energy compliance — we coordinate these for you.
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Ordnance Survey Maps£60 – £150Used for planning submissions.
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Drainage/Soakaway Design£700 – £1,500May be needed for some rural or complex projects.
We always advise you in advance and can obtain the quotes directly from trusted third-party consultants.
Q: Do you manage these extra services for me?
A:
Yes — Houz Design will:
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Liaise with structural engineers, energy assessors, or surveyors
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Oversee any third-party work
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Review and integrate their information into your submission
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Keep you updated at each step
This means you don’t have to juggle multiple contacts — and you stay fully informed.