Skip to content 
Getting a proper handle on architectural design cost in Ireland is one of the first hurdles for anyone planning a renovation, extension, or new build. Fees vary a lot depending on the type of project, the level of detail needed, and whether planning permission is involved.
As a rough guide, most homeowners in Ireland can expect architectural design fees to sit between 10% and 20% of the total project cost. On a full home renovation or a good-sized extension, that typically works out anywhere from €8,000 to well over €30,000, depending on scope and complexity.
Below we’ll break down what you actually get for that money, how fee structures work, and where homeowners tend to get caught out. If you’re weighing up a build, this is the honest version of the numbers.
What Do Architectural Design Fees Actually Cover?
When people hear “design fees” they often picture a few nice drawings. In reality, a proper architectural design package on an Irish project covers a lot more ground than that, and it’s the reason the fee sits where it does.
A full design service usually includes the following stages.
- Feasibility and site assessment to check what’s realistically possible on your property.
- Concept design and sketch options showing different layouts and forms.
- Developed design with detailed floor plans, elevations, and 3D models.
- Planning drawings and application submission where permission is required.
- Construction drawings and technical detailing for the builder on site.
- Coordination with the structural engineer, assigned certifier, and other consultants.
So the fee isn’t just for the pretty visuals. It covers the technical work that keeps your build compliant, buildable, and on budget. Skimp on this stage and you’ll usually pay for it twice during construction.
How Much Does Architectural Design Cost in Ireland?
There’s no single flat rate, but there are a few common ways architects and design and build firms price the work. Knowing which model you’re being quoted under makes it much easier to compare like with like.
Percentage of Construction Cost
This is the most common approach for larger projects. Fees typically run at 10% to 15% of the build cost for a straightforward extension or renovation, and up to 20% for a bespoke new build or a heavily serviced project. On a €300,000 renovation, that puts design fees somewhere between €30,000 and €45,000 across all stages.
Fixed Fee
Fixed fees are common for smaller, well-defined jobs. You’ll get a single number covering all the drawings and planning work agreed at the start. This gives budget certainty but only works if the scope is very clear from day one.
Hourly Rates
Hourly rates in Ireland tend to sit around €80 to €150 per hour for qualified architects, and slightly less for architectural technologists. Hourly billing is usually reserved for small pieces of advice, feasibility work, or additional variations rather than full projects.
Stage-Based Fees
Some practices break the fee down by RIAI work stages, so you pay as you go. It’s useful if you want the option to pause after planning permission, for example, before committing to full construction drawings.
What Influences the Final Cost?
Two houses on the same road can end up with very different design fees. The reasons usually come down to a handful of factors.
- Project size and value, since fees often scale with construction cost.
- Complexity of the design, especially split levels, glazing, or contemporary detailing.
- Whether planning permission is required or the work is exempted development.
- Site constraints such as protected structures, tight urban plots, or difficult access.
- Energy performance targets, particularly for deep retrofits aiming for a high BER rating.
- Number of revisions and how clear the brief is at the outset.
Period properties, protected structures, and homes inside Architectural Conservation Areas almost always push fees up because more drawings, reports, and conservation input are needed. The same goes for anything unusual on the site itself.
Feasibility and Upfront Consultation Fees
Before you commit to a full design package, most reputable firms will run a feasibility stage. This is where a designer looks at your property, your brief, and your budget, and tells you honestly whether the project stacks up.
Typical feasibility charges look like this.
- Phone or video consultation from around €200.
- Home visit and site walkthrough from around €500.
- Cost planning and construction review of existing architect’s drawings from €2,500 plus VAT.
It might feel odd paying for advice up front, but a good feasibility stage saves serious money later. It flags planning risks, structural issues, and budget gaps before you’ve spent tens of thousands on drawings that can’t be built. You can read more about the process in our feasibility service overview.
Design and Build vs Hiring an Architect Separately
One of the bigger cost decisions is whether to hire an architect on their own or go with a design and build contractor who handles everything under one roof.
Hiring an Architect Directly
You get full independent design advice and someone acting solely in your interest during tender and construction. The trade-off is that you’ll then need to appoint a builder, an engineer, and possibly an assigned certifier separately, and manage the gaps between them yourself.
Design and Build
With a design and build model, the design fees are wrapped into the overall project cost. You get a single point of contact, and the design team works alongside the construction team from day one. That coordination tends to reduce variations on site and keeps the build closer to budget.
Neither model is universally cheaper. What matters is how tightly the design is coordinated with buildability and cost, which is where a lot of overruns come from.
Planning Permission and Additional Costs
Design fees are only part of the picture. If your project needs planning permission, budget for the following on top.
- Local authority planning application fee, currently €65 for a domestic application.
- Site notice and newspaper notice costs, typically €200 to €400.
- Structural engineer fees for calculations and certification.
- BER assessment and, for retrofits, a technical assessment for grant purposes.
- Assigned certifier fees under the Building Control Amendment Regulations.
For grant-supported energy upgrades, it’s worth cross-checking eligibility rules on the SEAI home energy grants page before locking in your design brief. Some measures need to be designed in from the start to qualify.
How to Keep Design Costs Under Control
Design fees aren’t the place to cut corners, but there are sensible ways to keep them proportionate to the job.
- Come to the first meeting with a clear written brief and a realistic budget.
- Limit the number of concept revisions by giving decisive feedback at each stage.
- Sort out the big decisions, like layout and kitchen location, before construction drawings begin.
- Choose a trusted design partner with real construction experience, not just drawing skills.
- Ask for a stage-by-stage fee breakdown so you know what you’re paying for and when.
The homes that come in on budget are almost always the ones where the design was properly nailed down before a block was laid. That’s where good design fees earn their keep.
Is It Worth Paying for Quality Design?
On paper, design fees can look like a chunky line item. In practice, they usually pay for themselves several times over. Well-resolved drawings mean fewer surprises on site, tighter tenders from builders, and a finished home that actually works for how you live.
Skimping at the design stage tends to show up later as variations, delays, and awkward layouts you’re stuck with for years. It’s the one part of a build where cheap almost always ends up expensive.
If you’re weighing up a renovation, extension, or new build and want an honest read on what your project should cost to design and deliver, get in touch for a our feasibility consultation. A short conversation now can save a lot of money and stress once the diggers arrive.
