Education

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⚙️ Typical Cost Ranges & Fee Models

Here are typical cost models found in the industry:

• A common rule: design fees around 5 % to 15 % of total construction cost for fully-custom new homes.  
• Hourly rates for smaller drafting or design work: ~ $100-$250/hour for architects in many U.S. markets.  
• Per-square-foot pricing: For new construction, some designers/architects charge ~$2-$15 per sq ft (depending on complexity).  
• Flat fee for drawing/blueprint sets (especially smaller jobs): For home plans, somewhere between $2,000 – $20,000 depending on size/complexity.  
• For very small projects (simple additions, renovations) blueprint cost may be ~$700-$1,500 (or ~$0.35-$5.00 per sq ft) according to one source.  
• Example: One industry average shows blueprints costing ~$796-$2,654 for many homeowners, with average ~$1,723.  

🔍 What Affects the Cost – Key Variables

Since you run a very process-driven operation (custom barndominium, steel building, etc.), you’ll want to be very clear on these variables:

1. Size of the project / square footage – Larger footprint means more drawings, more complexity.
2. Level of customization – A standard or stock plan modified slightly will cost less than fully custom design from scratch.
3. Complexity of systems & structure – E.g., multi-story, challenging terrain, specialty materials, steel construction, large clear-spans (common in barndominiums/steel buildings) all drive higher cost.
4. Scope of services included – Are you dealing only with basic floor plan + elevations, or full construction documents (foundation/structural, MEP, wall sections, details, engineer stamps, permitting drawings)?
5. Location / jurisdiction / permitting / code requirements – Florida has hurricane code, wind load, etc. If you’re dealing with your steel building projects (manufactured homes, barndominiums) the complexity may increase.
6. Revisions / changes – More iterations = more cost. Locked-in design earlier = less cost risk.
7. Professional level & reputation – A senior architect will cost more than a drafting service.
8. Timeframe / rush scheduling – If you need fast delivery, you might incur higher charges.

✅ What to Expect Given Your Use-Case

Given you’re working on custom (barndominium / steel building / manufactured home) projects, you likely need more than basic plans. You’re also representing a company that handles design, engineering, fabrication, erection, etc. So your design plans will likely include structural, steel connection details, integrations, etc. That means you should expect to pay toward the higher side of the “standard home plan” cost band. So in your case perhaps:

• For a modest custom home (let’s say 2,000–3,000 sq ft) with full architectural drawings + structural integration: You might budget $5,000-$15,000 just for the design/planning drawings (not construction cost) depending on complexity.
• If the build cost is say $300k-$500k, then using 5-10% rule: design fees could fall in the $15k-$50k range (though this is higher than many simple condos/homes).
• If your barndominium or steel building is even more specialized (large clear‐spans, custom engineering, specialty finishes), you might see quotes above $20k easily.

🧾 What to Get in the Quote / Scope

To protect your process (you’re detail-oriented, so this is important), make sure the quote covers:

• Scope of deliverables: floor plans, elevations, roof/foundation plans, sections, details, structural framing or steel layout (if applicable), exterior/interior references.
• Permitting drawings: Are these required (and included)? Engineer stamp(s)? Code-compliance documentation.
• Number of revisions included and the cost for extra revisions.
• Deliverable format: CAD/REVIT files, PDF plan sets, what size prints.
• Timeline: delivery schedule for schematic, for final drawings, for permit documents.
• Exclusions: what is not included (e.g., landscaping, interior finishes, MEP layouts unless stated).
• Payment terms: deposit, milestone payments (e.g., 30% at schematic, 40% at design development, remainder at final drawings).
• Coordination responsibilities: If there’s other consultants (structural engineer, MEP), clarify who coordinates.
• Ownership / licensing: who owns the drawings, reproduction rights, modification rights.
• Hidden or extra costs: e.g., local code review, HOA coordination, large revisions, rush fees.

🎯 Recommendation for Your Business (The Colt Firm)

Since you are already involved in steel buildings, barndominiums, manufactured homes, etc., I’d suggest you build a standard internal fee-schedule (or vendor checklist) for design drafting that you can present to clients. Something like:

• Tier 1 – Basic shell custom plans (floor plan + elevations + roof plan; minimal structural complexity): ~$3-5 per sq ft (or flat ~$4,000-8,000 for up to 2,000 sq ft)
• Tier 2 – Full custom plans with structural integration (steel frame, clear-spans, special loads): ~$6-10 per sq ft (or flat ~$12,000-20,000+ for 2,000–3,500 sq ft)
• Tier 3 – Premium custom with full architectural service (interiors, high end finishes, multiple levels, site/terrace integration, advanced modelling): 8-15% of estimated construction cost (or higher).

You can offer in your proposal: “Based on your size estimate of ___ sq ft and preliminary scope (barndominium with steel trusses, mezzanine, large clear-span, custom finishes) our expected design drawing fee is approximately $XX,XXX, subject to final scope and revisions.” Then you can include a contingency for changes and be transparent.