design cost
I got a quote for design and construction plans for my workshop/garage. It was higher than I was expecting, so I just wanted to get some opinions on whether it’s in the ballpark. I know prices will vary regionally. This is in SW Ontario.
The plan is a for about a 35×40 single level with electricity, water and septic hookup, fully conditioned, frost protected shallow foundation. I will provide a rough layout drawing, they’ll do the rest. The quote I got is C$7500 for detailed plans for both permitting and construction, but does not include an HVAC plan or grading and drainage plan. The building will also have a concrete storm shelter room inside it, I don’t know if that substantially affects design cost.
Thoughts?
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Replies
For Washington, DC that would be cheap. But you couldn't get a building permit without an HVAC plan or a stormwater management plan (which would include grading and landscaping).
Yes, I am aware I also need that as well, just pointed it out because it must affect the cost of the plans.
For my area (Northern BC)that would be expensive unless the cost includes a professionals stamp, such as architect or engineer. Is this the case?
Our local designers charge about $100/hour, so that price would get you 75hrs of design time, and a building like you describe should be far less.
It does include a stamp. Any custom build needs a stamp, doesn't it?
TPLB,
No. Some jurisdictions require an engineer's stamp, some don't. Not very many require an architect's stamp for single family residences.
I have designed garages that end up with design fees around 2% of construction costs, and houses with design fees around 15% of construction costs, and everything in between. A relatively detailed garage-type structure would probably be somewhere around 4% of construction costs for me (a designer) and the architects I compete with. I'd guess that your construction costs might be $150/sf, which is about $200K for the building and an $8K design fee. So I'd say it's in the ballpark, but it's a big ballpark.
Not that I or my colleagues price things by the square foot, but we do post-mortems that are helpful in determining typical costs per square foot.
TPLB,
Fair or not, the cost to get any labour or services is what someone in your area is willing to do it for.
Yeah, "fair" is kind of a construct. For anything of any complexity you have to bid it out.
Yes, well I'm hoping to avoid going to a bidding process. This place was recommended, and I haven't even been able to find a place that provides a comparable service. I'm not looking to shave off a thousand or two by competitive bidding, but if the response was "that price is insanely high", I might look harder.
I think the price is fair if the Building Dept. will accept the drawings.