As an Architectural Technicain my fees are less than those of an Architect and my services are typically narrower than those an Architect would offer you.
You can expect to budget between 7% to12% percent of the total cost of the job, depending on its size and value with an Architect., they do offer more proffessional services such as;

1. Documentation
2. Contract administration
3. Project Management

My fees are considerably less as my services are soley aimed at producing construction documentations to get your project through local councils.

• Fees are usually negotiable and will depend the complexity of the project.
• I do not manage the project, purely documentation.
  

  Design fees can be broken down to the following..

1. By the hour -  but this could become very expensive for a big job.
   
2. A percentage -- this is by far the best approach and most popular It means the cost of the design service remains proportionate to the final cost of the house and you have a better idea of your total costs.
   
3. Fixed fees calculated on an hourly rate.

Be aware also that there are extra costs invloved when..

1. Extra printing
2. Travel costs
3. Photography ( if needed)
4. Application fees ( ie Resourse consent / Building Consents)

The following fee scales are to be used as a guideline only.
The complexity of the building, or parts of the building, may have considerable impact on the value of fees charged.
Small contracts often require the same documentation as larger buildings and this is reflected in a higher fee percentage for lower value work.

Rates are $70.00- $90.00/hour for senior staff and CAD technicians.

1. Generally the fee for alteration work will be 2% higher than new work.
2. Fees do not include GST or fees for other consultants that may be required to obtain a building consent.
3. Fees to site measure and detail existing buildings are additional.
4. Disbursements such as printing, toll calls and cellular phone calls.
5. Fees required to obtain Resource Consents are not included in the fee percentages outlined.

1. Preliminary design
2. Developed design
3. Construction documentation
4. Contract administration.

Generally fees will be invoiced monthly and the stages will be charged at the approximate percentages as follows:

1. Full sketch design 5%
2. Design development to Development Application 15%
3. Contract documentation to Construction Certificate 20%
4. Contract documentation to tender 20%

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Renovation and alteration costs

With a new house we start with a clean slate and the process can be quite straightforward. But when you are doing alterations,you have to take into account the style and materials used in the existing part of the house and try to match them.
And when the work actually starts, there are sometimes a few surprises that appear when wall boards are removed. Be aware that sometimes it means returning to the drawing board and start some of it over again.

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Drawings & Specifications
These are the final technical drawings with written specifications that define the quality of materials and workmanship required in the construction of your project. The extent of documentation required will depend on the site, type of construction and type of project, or your own requirements. Engineering, surveying or other specialist consultants may be engaged at this stage for completion of the drawings. These documents are used for pricing, tendering and building consent application, and will form part of your building contract documents.

Tendering
When all drawings and documents are complete, you may engage your designer to select building contractors to tender for your project. Following tender analysis the successful contractor is chosen, a building contract is prepared and signed.