Typical costs:

• Architect's fees depend a great deal on the project and the location, and can vary in both amount and type:
• Hourly charges may start at $50-$150 but can go up depending on the type of work (from creating drawings to inspecting a construction site), location, and the architect's training, experience and reputation.
• Fees can also be based on 5 to 15 percent of a project's construction expenses. Designing a 25x25-foot room addition that costs $165,000-$200,000 to build could generate an architect's bill of $8,250-$30,000; using this pricing method, the fee for a $750,000 custom-built new home could be $37,500-$112,500.
• A negotiated flat fee can be as low as $700-$1,000 for up to a specified number of hours spent creating a concept design. Or an architect might agree to design a 25x25-foot room addition for $5,000-$10,000, or a 3,000-square-foot custom home for $50,000-$75,000 or more, no matter what the final construction price is. The architect may charge extra for project-related expenses such as long-distance phone calls, photocopying, soil tests, plant surveys, etc. Negotiated flat fees vary a great deal depending on the local economy.
• Government fees for plan review, building permits, impact charges and design review (or homeowner association fees for similar services) are paid separately by the homeowner and can add $5,000-$15,000 or more to a project.

What should be included:

• According to BetterHomesandGardens.com, an architect develops a design, guides your project through the approval process, refers you to contractors and helps you select the right ones, and oversees the construction to make sure the plans are followed correctly.
• BobVilla.com gives on overview of how to choose the right architect for you and your project. You will work closely with this professional throughout the project; be sure it's a good match.

Shopping for an architect:

• Have a clear idea of how you want to live in your room addition or new house, but let the architect decide the technical details of how best to accomplish those goals. Gather photos of styles and layouts that you like.
• The American Institute of Architects offers a free referral service and sells standardized contract forms.
• Get several estimates, making sure you understand exactly what's included in each bid, Interview each architect personally; good "chemistry" between you is important. Find out about their training and experience, and their personal style of design. Ask to see previous projects which are similar to yours in size and type. Understand how each firm will approach your project and who will be working on it. Ask for and contact references.
• The written contract should include the work to be done, a schedule, a construction budget, the architect's fees and exactly what those fees cover, and a payment schedule.