Our Fees Explained

Starting a project should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

That’s why we keep our fees simple and transparent from day one. You’ll always know what your investment looks like and whether we’re the right fit, before the design begins.

We offer three clear engagement paths.

  • A clear, upfront package price for early-stage or developed design.

    Best for clients who want defined scope, quicker turnaround, and the quality of an architectural design concept without full fees.

  • A sliding scale fee based on total construction cost.

    Best for full service design and delivery, where we stay closely involved through the entire build.

  • For unique or unusual projects, we tailor the fee structure.

    This may use one of several alternative models:

    • Stage-by-Stage Fees: pay per stage with flexibility to pause or stop.

    • Lump Sum Fee – one agreed price for all services. Simple, but scope must be clear at the start.

    • Day / Hourly Rate: flexible for quick advice, feasibility checks, or second opinions.

    • Custom Fees: designed for unusual sites, briefs, or complex projects.

    • Retainer: predictable monthly cost, best for developers or ongoing projects.

  • LUMP SUM

    One agreed fee to deliver all design services for a project. Scope and exclusions are set in detail at the start of the project.

  • DAY/ HOURLY RATE

    Flexible consultancy for advice before or during a build. Ideal for feasibility checks, sketch design work, or targeted support where you need clarity fast without a long commitment.

  • CONCEPT PACKAGE

    Clear, upfront price for a defined concept package. Focused on the early design stage: site review, sketches, schedules, and budget notes.

  • STAGE BY STAGE

    Fixed fee for each project stage (Discovery, Design, Documentation, Delivery). Either client or architect can decide whether to continue after each stage.

  • TRADITIONAL FEE

    Budget based fee is charged as a percentage of the construction cost. Fees subject to change if construction costs rise. Covers full service from concept through to completion.

  • CUSTOM FEE

    Tailored proposals for unique sites, commercial projects, complex briefs, or large-scale developments. Scope and pricing are negotiated to suit.

  • RETAINER

    Ongoing advisory support on a monthly basis. Suited to developers or clients managing multiple or long running projects who want consistent architectural input.

“In building, the most expensive cost is the cost of the unknown. Uncertainty inflates budgets. A clear concept design and drawing set reduces guesswork and keeps pricing fairer and more predictable.”

— Common industry knowledge

Fixed Price Design

Clarity in design. Certainty in cost.

Great projects start with a clear idea. Our concept packages turn your vision into a design shaped by your needs and the unique conditions of your site. From concept sketches to complete 3D models, you receive a concept that is personalized, practical, and pretty damn beautiful.

  • 3 tier options offering a range of clearly defined deliverables

  • Transparent costs upfront

  • Confidence before making big commitments

  • Architecturally designed specifically for you and your site

FOUNDATION DESIGN

$10K

STARTING FROM

Lay the Groundwork,
for a beautiful design.

  • Review of completed Starter Guide

    • Understanding of site and context

    • Room list

    • Project Brief document

  • Round 1: Sketch Concept with minor variations for client feedback and direction

    Round 2: Developed design concept with client feedback

    Round 3: Final design with:

    • Site + concept sketches

    • Passive design principles

    • Form studies in 3D

    • Plan set

    • Area schedule

    • Design concept in plain language

    • Next Steps plan

  • Foundation Design PDF:

    A clear and attractive concept design that captures your ideas, explained simply, and ready to share with authorities, builders or planners for feedback ahead of pricing and planning approval.

FOUNDATION START

VISION DESIGN

$15K

STARTING FROM

See your vision take shape with materials and 3D form.

  • Review of completed Starter Guide

    • Understanding of site and context

    • Sense-check of your budget and room list

    • Project Brief document

  • Round 1: Three sketch options with client feedback and direction

    Round 2: One developed design concept with client feedback

    Round 3: Revised developed design concept with minor adjustments

    Round 4 Final Design:

    • Everything from Foundation Concept, plus:

    • Developed floor plans and elevations

    • Material palette and mood boards

    • High-level sustainability check

    • 3D Renders with site and materials

  • Vision Design PDF:

    A rich design vision with plan set, 3D renders, materials and mood direction plus sustainability strategies. In summary, your vision in one attractive document.

    Ready to share with authorities, consultants, builders or planners for feedback ahead of pricing and planning approval.

VISION START

HOLISTIC DESIGN

$20K

STARTING FROM

Complete Design clarity from every aspect.

  • Review of completed Starter Guide

    • Understanding of site and surroundings

    • Budget and room list analysis and feedback

    • Project Brief document

  • Round 1: Three sketch options with client feedback and direction

    Round 2: One developed design concept with client feedback

    Round 3: Revised developed design concept with minor adjustments

    Round 4: Revised developed design concept with minor adjustments

    Round 5 Final Design:

    • Everything from Vision Concept, plus:

    • Integrated landscape, interior, and architecture

    • Sun and shadow path

    • 3D perspectives and flythroughs

    • Room schedule with detailed breakdown

    • Budget to scope analysis

    • Next stage roadmap for approvals and detailed design

  • Holistic Design PDF + Video:

    A complete concept package that unites architecture, interiors, and landscape with clear visuals, a budget framework, and a roadmap forward.

    In summary, this is a holistic design concept for your dream project.

    Ready to share with authorities, consultants, builders or planners for feedback ahead of pricing and planning approval.

HOLISTIC START

Why Choose a Fixed Fee Concept Design

Confidence and clarity from day one

A fixed fee concept design gives you the best of both worlds. Economic certainty and design freedom.

    • Start with a small, defined investment rather than a long contract

    • Reduce the risk of runaway costs or designing something you can’t afford

    • Eliminate the “uncertainty factor” that builders add when a design is unclear

    • Own your concept package outright. It’s yours to use as you wish

    • Explore design options without fear of extra fees

    • Take your drawings to builders for pricing

    • Hand the package to a draftsman for approvals and documentation

    • Continue with us for approvals or even into full service architecture.

      This is our preference, but we understand this is not for everybody.

    • Understand what an architect can achieve on your site in clear, visual terms

    • Access passive design strategies tailored to your site, lifestyle, and climate

    • Gain independent advice that strengthens your position with builders and consultants

    • Get a second opinion before committing to full service fees

Steve and Bernie

“Tim Pardoe designed our solar passive home in Rockingham, Western Australia. Tim worked collaboratively with us throughout the design phase and was able to understand our vision for a functional and sustainable living space which met our needs. This resulted in the final product being a home which is not only beautiful but also very functional and sustainable. Tim was a joy to work with, couldn’t recommend him highly enough.”

The Fee Matrix

Your budget, your design options.

Choose the package that fits your project size and ambition. From Foundation design ideas to a complete Holistic design, you’ll know exactly what you’re investing in, with clear deliverables and no surprises.

  • Renovation projects carry a 30% uplift due to added complexity and surveying requirements.

  • Fees are shown in AUD or EUR. Percentage fees remain the same.

  • Concept packages are typically delivered within 8–12 weeks following payment of the initial fee (30% of the agreed project fee)

  • You can upgrade from one package to the next at any time, with your investment carried forward.

Please note: Fees are indicative and confirmed after our initial consultation, site review, and Starter Guide. Adjustments are rare and always communicated upfront.

Project Budget Foundation Design Vision Design Holistic Design
Up to €350k €10k €15k €20k
Up to €500k €12.5k €18k €24k
Up to €750k €15k €22.5k €30k
Up to €1m €17.5k €27k €36k
Up to €1.5m €22k €34k €45k
Up to €2m €26k €40k €52k
Over €2m from €30k from €45k from €60k

Understanding the cost of a custom home

This table lays out size against cost per square metre, with both base build and complete all-in budgets. It gives you a transparent view of how choices in size and quality drive overall costs, helping you plan with confidence.

Custom Home Costs in Western Australia - 2025

Project Size Entry
$2800/m²		 Mid
$4000/m²		 High
$5500/m²		 Premium
$7000/m²		 Luxury
$9000/m²
80 m² Tiny $224k → $280k $320k → $400k $440k → $550k $560k → $700k $720k → $900k
150 m² Studio $420k → $525k $600k → $750k $825k → $1.03m $1.05m → $1.31m $1.35m → $1.69m
200 m² Medium $560k → $700k $800k → $1.0m $1.1m → $1.38m $1.4m → $1.75m $1.8m → $2.25m
250 m² Standard $700k → $875k $1.0m → $1.25m $1.38m → $1.72m $1.75m → $2.19m $2.25m → $2.81m
300 m² Large $840k → $1.05m $1.2m → $1.5m $1.65m → $2.06m $2.1m → $2.63m $2.7m → $3.38m
400 m² Mansion $1.12m → $1.4m $1.6m → $2.0m $2.2m → $2.75m $2.8m → $3.5m $3.6m → $4.5m
500 m² Villa $1.4m → $1.75m $2.0m → $2.5m $2.75m → $3.44m $3.5m → $4.38m $4.5m → $5.63m

Notes:
– Ranges show base construction → full all in project cost including architecture, approvals, consultants, and contingency.
– Excludes GST, land purchase, and extraordinary site costs.
– Figures based on QS benchmarks for Western Australia in 2025.

  • Who is this for?
    For homeowners and boutique developers who want architectural quality with clear costs and defined outcomes.

    Why fixed-fee design?
    A clear concept at the start protects your build budget later. It reduces unknowns, improves pricing accuracy, and keeps priorities in view.

    What do I get with each option?
    Every concept design option includes:

    • Site and brief review

    • Concept drawings and area schedule

    • Key design rationale in plain language

    • Budget alignment notes

    • A simple next steps plan

    How long does it take?
    Most projects follow this timeline:

    • Week 1: intake and site review

    • Week 2: concept workshop and budget notes

    • Week 3: round 1. design and comments

    • Week 5: round 2. design and comments

    • Week 7/8: final concept package handover

    What is not included?

    • Planning/ Development/ Building approval

    • Council fees and permits

    • Engineer and specialist consultant fees

    • Detailed documentation for construction

    • Interior procurement and tendering

    Do your fixed price concept packages include planning or development approval documents?
    No. Our fixed price packages focus on design concepts. Planning and development approvals require detailed documentation and coordination with authorities, which is a separate service.

    Can you guarantee planning approval?
    No architect can guarantee approval. Councils and authorities ultimately decide. What we can guarantee is that your concept will be developed with relevant codes and conditions in mind, giving it the best chance of success. Unless you want to challenge code, which is also a possibility for ambitious results, then the path to approval becomes more challenging.

    How do I know the design will be possible to build?
    From the beginning, we consider the rules and caveats that apply to your site. While approvals are not certain, our concepts are created to align with codes and planning frameworks, giving you a realistic path forward.

    What prices can I expect for planning approval?
    Planning approval is always discussed at the start of your project as a potential outcome. If required, we prepare a separate fee for this after the design concept is complete. As a guide, planning approval services for a typical residential project in Australia usually range between AUD 5,000 and 15,000, depending on project size, council requirements, and site complexity. Please note this fee does not include the authority application fees which can be clearly communicated at the beginning of the planning approval process.

    What happens after concept design if I need planning approval?
    You can choose to continue with us into the approval stage, or take the concept package to another professional such as a draftsman. Each package includes a Next Steps plan, so you always know the path forward.

    Do I own the design?
    Yes. You own the concept package outright. You can take it to a builder, a draftsperson, or continue with us. If you continue with us, the concept fee is credited within the full-service agreement.

    What if my budget changes?
    We revise the concept once within the package scope so the design and budget stay aligned. This will affect the concept design fee according to the scale below.

    Can I add more options or change my design?
    Yes. Extra concept options are available at a fixed price per option or change.

    Do you work outside Hamburg and Western Australia?
    Yes. We have focused our work across Germany and Australia. But we would love to do projects all over the world. The method is the same. Understand our clients needs, understand the site. Do great design, then use the best local talent to deliver the project. Travel and site costs are agreed in advance.

    Do you do a site visit?
    No. This process is possible without site visits. We work from site photos, surveys, and official site data supplied by the Australian and German governments via tools like Intramaps. A site visit can be arranged if needed, but it isn’t essential for the concept stage.

    Can you work interstate or overseas?
    Yes. Our process is digital-first, so we can deliver concept design packages anywhere.

    When do I pay?
    33% percent to begin, 33% midway and 34% percent on handover. Prices exclude GST/ VAT unless noted.

    Can I use this with a draftsperson?
    Yes. Many clients use the concept package with a draftsperson for approvals and documentation. We can also provide an optional service (1.5% of build cost) to ensure the design intent and details are carried through. This entails 3 in depth and complete reviews of the documentation drawing set (begining, middle, end) to ensure details and design intent is being upheld throughout the drafting process.

    What if I need more detail?
    The concept package is designed for clarity, not for full construction. If you want more detail, you can either upgrade to our full-service architecture or request additional drawings for an agreed fixed fee.

    What information do I need to provide?
    Typically: a recent site survey, photos, and your completed Brief Builder. Extra data like soil reports or planning overlays are helpful but not always essential at concept stage

LETS START YOUR PROJECT!

Start with confidence.

We believe great design should be clear and accessible from the very beginning. That’s why we created fixed fee concept packages. Simple, transparent, and tailored to your vision. You’ll know exactly what you’re investing in and what you’ll receive, before making any big commitments.

Choose the package that fits your project, and take the first step toward turning ideas into architecture.

try the starter guide