ADU Architectural Fees: How They Affect Total Project Cost

Building an ADU, you cannot just construct on a whim without a clear plan of what you’re going to have as a result. The design phase is an inalienable part of any ADU construction project, as it dictates the layout, usability, and overall aesthetics of the final structure.

ADU construction costs consist of soft costs and hard costs. While hard costs encompass the cost of site preparation, the construction cost itself, and the cost of connecting utilities and applying interior finishes, the soft costs involve permit costs, consultation costs, and expenditures on architectural design services.

Let’s discuss the importance of architectural design as well as try to calculate the amount of ADU architectural design fees for your project!

ADU Development and Design: What Do We Need It For

If you wonder why to hire an architect and pay architect fees, we should determine what exactly architectural design is. Accessory dwelling units are small homes, so there are plenty of building regulations that govern their location, permissible layout, and design. So, the first of the architect’s goals is to ensure compliance of the new construction with the current laws and regulations established by local authorities.

Another role of an architect is to construct an ADU in a cost-effective and space-efficient way. Architects develop a floor plan that fits your lot, suits your budget, and caters to your specific needs. They account for various factors that affect your desired ADU’s feasibility and assist in creating custom homes exactly as you originally conceived them in your mind.

Thus, whether it’s conversion ADUs, detached ADUs, or attached ADU units, the architects are people who help you avoid costly mistakes during the construction process as well as ensure your ADU becomes a comfortable living environment for the client.

Architectural Development Benefits

When you decide to build an accessory dwelling unit near your main house, you probably pursue one of the goals, such as to generate rental income, create a dream ADU for your hobbies, leisure time or business endeavors, house relatives or guests, or make a good investment in your future. Nowadays, ample square footage is a luxury, and it plays a significant role in the overall family’s comfort.

That is why creating an ADU wisely and meticulously is so important. General contractors offer architect’s services for a whole number of reasons, such as:

• Build safely

Safety of construction is a reason that justifies professionally-built ADU cost. The principal architect oversees that the physical structure of your ADU is stable, isn’t prone to damage, and will not collapse from minor impact.

• Build for good

By building an ADU with a professional architect, you ensure the longevity of your unit. No one wants to have to repair their living space every single month due to structural errors made during the planning of the building.

• Save money in the long run.

This derives from the previous two points. If your accessory dwelling unit is stable, sturdy, and resilient, you don’t need to pay for constant repairs. Architects will help you select the right materials and finishes to prolong your ADU’s service life and reduce the need for early replacements.

• Implement your ADU project down to the smallest detail.

Do you want three bedrooms but don’t know how to fit them on your small lot? Or maybe you wonder how to make your ADU more energy efficient? Hire an architect if you want to implement a unique or intricate design project. A skilled professional will make sure to bring your vision to life.

• Maximize space efficiency

Have a limited place on your property? An architect can develop a two-story unit, a unit on top of a garage, or a narrow unit that perfectly fits our land and provides you with utmost comfort. They consider incorporating an ergonomic design, make sure your ADU is well-lit, has good spatial organization, and harmoniously integrates with the main house.

• Make sure the ADU project gets a permit.

An architect plays a key role in creating comprehensive construction documents, including a floor plan, which is essential for the successful execution of building projects as well as for permit acquisition. You can obtain building permits from your local planning department only if all documents are present and they adhere to local regulations.

Architectural Development Steps

If you plan an ADU build, it is important to understand the big picture of how the construction’s configuration will perform and what it will look like. Whether it’s a large ADU or a small one, an attached garage conversion or a detached ADU cottage, it makes sense to hire a skilled architect.

The architectural process involves such parts as:

1. Initial consultation. First of all, you need to articulate your preferences, goals, and available budget to the architect to ensure the project is feasible.
2. Assessing the site. We need to learn if there’s enough available space on your land so that a new ADU fits, taking into account the presence of other structures, sloped areas, particular zoning rules and regulations, and other factors.
3. Developing the concept of your ADU. Based on your preferences and the land’s characteristics, the professional draws up layout and design solutions. It’s a rough estimate of how the ADU will look and what elements it will have.
4. Developing a more detailed plan. Here, an architect adds details, elaborating floor plans, elevations, specifications, and structural drawings while taking into account material choices and particular methods of construction. They refine and hone the original idea to align more closely with the client’s vision.
5. Assistance in ADU build permit acquisition. General contractors engage the architect to take part in obtaining necessary permits and approvals from the local government.
6. Providing documents and helping to make schedules. Architects take a vital part in the project by helping to guide the building process. They also collaborate with interior designers, builders, and structural engineers in overseeing the construction phase.

To sum up, an architect is a crucial figure in the ADU construction process who is responsible for creating an efficient and flexible floor plan that can accommodate various furniture pieces and support the intended activities within the ADU space.

ADU Costs: How Much Is an Architect’s Fee?

After we have established why it’s a good idea to fire an architect, it’s time to consider how doing it affects the ADU’s total cost. The overall cost of the project may vary greatly depending on several factors, such as labor costs per square foot in your city, the overall project’s scale and complexity, the need for site preparation, the need for upgrading your HVAC systems, and many other factors.

But putting site preparation costs, utility connection costs, permit costs, and other costs aside, let’s focus on estimating how much you’ll need to pay in terms of overall cost if you hire a good architect.

What does the price consist of? The architectural costs involved may vary depending on these factors:

• The scale of the desired ADU

ADUs range from 150 sq. ft. to 1200 sq. ft., and since the ADU costs are $200-$250 per square foot on average, it’s safe to assume that you’d pay around $90,000 for a 400-square-foot ADU and $225,000 for a 1000-square-foot ADU, respectively. Let’s say, in each case, you’d pay around 10% in architectural fees. Then, roughly, you’d need $9,000 in the first case and $22,500 in the second.

• Level of intricacy in the project

Complex structural systems, innovative material applications, and incorporating advanced or sustainable design features may require special skills and knowledge that raise the ADU planning and construction costs.

• Architect’s level of expertise

Having a proven track record of successful projects under their belt, an experienced architect offers a higher level of specialized knowledge, can get more creative with your project, and demonstrates problem-solving abilities. Their efficiency in navigating unusual situations affects the construction cost.

• Regional economic conditions

Richer and more densely populated areas will always have higher construction costs. That’s simply the law of demand and supply: the more people are ready to spend, the higher the prices.

All in all, the ultimate goal is to avoid commencing a project and only face a significantly higher ADU cost than anticipated. Before you hire an architect, it’s essential to understand the implications of your choice and to realize that knowing the architectural fee amount will assist you in establishing the total budget for your ADU.

Percentage of Total Project Cost

Even though architects mostly design blueprints, their role extends way further in the overall scale of the project. Typically, when you hire an architect, you can expect to pay from 5% to 15% of your total cost to the architectural fees. To count the approximate price in advance, you’ll need a rough estimate of your ADU project and an easy mathematical formula. Also, it’s essential to remember that architects may have different rate calculation methods. While some of them charge fees per square foot of your ADU, others set an hourly fee.

Per Square Foot or Hourly Rate

If you know that the architect you wish to hire takes fees per square foot, remember that the size and scale of the project directly influence the cost. This means that if you build a small ADU, it might make sense for you to search for an architect with a per-square-foot payment if it’s more cost-effective. In the opposite scenario, when your project requires significant customization, you may want to apply to an architect with an hourly fee, as they take money in accordance with the work done.

Free Estimate

Before building an ADU, a homeowner wants to know how much they’ll need to pay. Since the cost may vary depending on so many factors, it may be difficult to predict the result. That’s why many ADU building companies, including A+ Construction & Remodeling in Sacramento, California, offer their potential clients a free estimate of their projects.

A free estimate allows you to plan your budget, change or make up your mind on certain aspects of ADU construction you’ve been pondering, or choose the ADU size you can afford without going deep into debt. If you’re interested in finding out the costs of your upcoming project, you can also compare different contractors to find the right one for your specific needs.

Start your ADU construction on the safe side and hire a trustworthy ADU company that demonstrates clear and understandable costs!

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Is a new construction ADU costlier than a conversion in terms of architectural costs?

Architectural costs for a new construction ADU may be relatively higher since it entails designing a completely new structure from scratch. The architect needs to perform site analysis, conceptualize, and design the ADU in contrast to repurposed conversion ADU, which requires assessing the existing structure and developing the concept of transforming the space into a livable unit.

How much are the costs for utility connections?

Any ADU must have connections to water, sewage, electricity, and gas. An ADU may use the utility connections intended for the main residence yet may need upgrading them for more capacity. If the accessibility is bad, it will increase the cost. Thus, on average, you may expect to spend anywhere from $6,000 to $35,000 on utility connections. The exact sum depends on the extent of work needed.

What is architecturally easier to construct: an attached ADU or a detached ADU?

From an architectural standpoint, detached ADUs are often architecturally easier to construct compared to attached ADUs. That is because they are independent, offering more leeway in terms of layout and placement. On the other hand, building an ADU attached to the main house requires following the same architectural style as the primary residence, which constricts the freedom of choice.

How much does an architect cost for an ADU in Sacramento, California?

Providing an approximate average range for the region, we need to make it clear that any construction is unique and will cost differently. However, typical architectural costs for an ADU in Sacramento can fall between $12,000 and $30,000 or more if we take a medium-sized, well-planned ADU in a medium-income region.