Fees: what an architect costs, and why
Most of the disappointments on a building site come from a vaguely defined commission. This page sets out the ranges applied, what they cover and what they do not. Every project then receives a written proposal, phase by phase.
Full commission
From the first sketch to handover: design, building permit, contractor tendering, site supervision. The fees follow the pre-tax value of the works:
| Type of project | Range |
|---|---|
| Detached villa | 8 to 12% |
| Residential building | 6 to 10% |
| Retail unit / offices | 8 to 12% |
| Hospitality / tourism | 10 to 15% |
| Major renovation / riad | 12 to 18% |
| Interior architecture | 10 to 20% |
These ranges are consistent with the profession's indicative scale and with the practices observed in Casablanca and Rabat; the exact rate depends on the complexity and on the level of supervision required.
Defined assignments
| On-site assessment + written opinion | 1,500 to 2,500 MAD |
| Design + permit, villa of 150-200 sqm | 15,000 to 40,000 MAD |
| Interior design, apartment | 8,000 to 25,000 MAD |
| Hourly advice | 300 to 800 MAD |
The assessment is deducted from the fees if you then entrust me with a commission. It is the recommended way in: one visit, a reading of the regulations, a written budget estimate, and you decide with all the facts in hand.
Request an assessmentStart by estimating your construction budget with the build cost calculator.
What the fees cover
- Architectural drawings and graphic documents for each phase
- Building permit file and Rokhas submission
- Tender documents and comparative analysis of quotations
- Site supervision with written progress reports
- Assistance at handover and clearing of snagging items
What is added to the budget
- Structural and building services engineering
- Thermal (RTCM) and geotechnical studies
- Municipal taxes and filing charges
- Technical inspection body and laboratory where applicable
I coordinate these consultants and include them in the overall budget presented from the outline design stage onwards: no costs discovered along the way.
How to read a fee proposal
Percentage, fixed fee or time spent: how do I choose?
Full commission with construction works: percentage. Short, clearly defined assignment (permit, interior design): fixed fee. One-off advice: time spent. The right choice depends on the scope, not on the amount.
Is a cheaper quotation really cheaper?
Compare the phases included, not the rate: a "cheap permit" with no site supervision is paid for later in variations, defects and delays. Insist on a written breakdown: sketch, outline design, detailed design, permit, tender documents, supervision.
Does signing off a file on its own exist?
It is prohibited by the Order of Architects: an architect must design and take responsibility for the drawings he or she signs. I refuse this practice, which exposes the client to cancellation of the permit and to serious risks in the event of damage.
Why is the initial assessment charged for?
Because it involves real work and real responsibility: site visit, regulatory analysis, written estimate. It is deducted if you entrust me with the commission.
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