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Cost guides
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Architects
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House planning

How much does house planning cost?

  • R750 – R1500/hour
    Architect fee — per hour
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House planning

Draughtsperson

Architect

3-bedroom house plan

Interior designer
house plan

At Procompare, we have been tracking prices and seasonal trends for many years. Based on our proprietary data of historical project costs (acquired from thousands of our Pros) and other cost data from various respectable sources, we have put together a 2024 house planning cost guide, where we have gathered all the necessary information for you to make the best possible decision.


Architect fee — per hour

  • R750 – R1500/hour

Most architects will work for either an hourly rate or for a fixed fee based on a percentage of the construction costs. Typical fees range from 5% to 15% of construction costs for new construction, and from 15% to 20% for remodelling. Often it is difficult to estimate the cost of construction. The alternative is to charge per hour. According to SACAP a Registered Professional Architect with more than ten years’ experience, can charge roughly R1 800 per hour. For an architect, expect to pay between R750/hour and R1500/hour.

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Draftsperson — per hour fee

  • R500 – R900/hour

A draftsperson creates blueprints for designing new homes and additions to existing ones. He prepares architectural plans and technical drawings. A draftsperson can charge by the hour or by the square metre (see below). A set of plans for a typical 3-bedroom house takes at least 10 hours to complete. The size and the complexity of the project will also have an impact on the price. Hiring a draftsperson to do a simple house plan is still cheaper than having an architect do it—they can charge up to twice as much. Draftsperson costs range between R500/hour and R900/hour with an average of R700/hour.

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Structural engineer

  • R40,000 – R400,000

A structural engineer is an engineer who specialises in the structure of buildings. They determine the strength and durability of a building. They are a key professional in the construction process. The cost to hire a structural engineer typically runs from R40,000 to R400,000, averaging at R250,000.

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Quantity surveyor

  • R200 – R300/m2

Quantity surveyors are responsible for managing all financial aspects of your construction project, both in terms of cost for material and labour. Before the start of construction, a Quantity Surveyor provides a detailed breakdown of the cots on the basis of architectural plans. Based on this report, the builder can can tender a quote. On average, quantity surveyors charge between R200/m2 and R300/m2.

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Estate compliance and Municipal preparation of a plan

  • R5000 – R8000

Procure a qualified architect or draughtsmen in order to prepare the plans for Municipal approval. While the preparation an submission of required documents in itself is fairly easy, dealing with the different departments involved, complying with all their requirements and negotiating the approval is the more difficult and very time consuming part. On average, expect to be charged between R5000 and R8000 for an estate compliance and Municipal preparation of a plan.

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Approval of house plan — submission fee

  • R1000 – R5000

The submission fee is the price you will pay for submitting your documents to the council. The average cost of a submission fee for approval of house plan is R3000, or typically between R1000 and R5000.

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Approval of house plan by yourself — price

  • R15 – R25/m2

Once the building plans for your new home or renovations have been drawn up, you will need to submit them for approval. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Approval of house plan by yourself costs range between R15/m2 and R25/m2 with an average of R20/m2.

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Design inception and conceptualization

  • R2500 – R4000

Service includes a location visit and a brief, providing a schedule of accommodation with an estimated budget. Service can be concluded in about 4 hours. The cost of design inception and conceptualization typically runs from R2500 to R4000, averaging at R2800.

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Architects design fee (for a house)

  • R150,000 – R270,000

The fee listed is for full architects design services. The average cost to hire None architects design fee (for a house) is R180,000, or typically between R150,000 and R270,000.

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Featured articles

Recent jobs for house planning

New building

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Cape St Francis
  • Approx. size (sqm): Less than 100 sqm
  • Estimated project start: More than 3 months

Hi We have a stand with a log cabin in Cape St Francis and would like to look at adding a more permanent brick structure onto it. The length is around 13,5m by 4.5m with a layout of potentially: a room 3.5m by 3m, shower/toilet 1.8m long, another room 3.5m by 3m this with a front section walkway of 1m wide and then the rest into a counter area for shelves or small kitchenette open storage/workshop space etc. The log cabin is apparently good for another 10 years or so, but we want to build this space onto it to eventually expand once the log cabin is end of life. Hence, we would like to understand the costs of this new section based on: 1. Ability to add on top double storey brick 2. Single storey only 3. Single storey brick and top storey wood. If the above has any price implications etc. If it is possible to understand a rough per meter cost for budgeting purposes that would be great thank you.

New building

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Durban
  • Approx. size (sqm): 200–600 sqm
  • Estimated project start: More than 3 months

-sqm floor size, flat roof double-storey house with 5 bedrooms with en-suites (1 - servant room ground floor and 4 - upper floor), balconies for all the rooms, walk-in closet for the main bedroom, 1 living room - ground floor , 1tv room - ground floor, dinning room - ground floor, entertainment area (patio - ground), entertainment area - center upper floor, study room upper floor, scalarly and laundry room together in 1 room, kitchen, lockable pantry, horizontal garage for 3 cars

New building

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Craigavon
  • Approx. size (sqm): 200–600 sqm
  • Estimated project start: More than 3 months

American style home Downstairs (open plan) full front porch mud room as you enter Lounge to your left with fire place powder room to your right kitchen with Island and Breakfast nook dining room guest room down stairs with joining bathroom Upstairs 1 master bedroom + walk in with bathroom (all joint) 2 "kids" rooms (jack and Gill bathroom to join) Laundry room Study

New building

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Constantia
  • Approx. size (sqm): 200–600 sqm
  • Estimated project start: 1–3 months

Residential house on an acre. 4 bed - roughly sqm plus garage. Simple design approach needed which will maximise light and space throughout the year with careful positioning to optimise views and minimise sound screening. Strong emphasis on sustainability - with efficient energy usage, solar power generation, water efficiency and recycling. Firm budgetary constraint based on specification making maximum use of locally sourced, simple, good quality functional materials, and avoiding excessive design complexity.

Other architectural service

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Athlone
  • Approx. size (sqm): Less than 100 sqm
  • Estimated project start: Within a month

I recently bought a house and would like to carport close the section at the back of the house and separate entrance to create a braai room. The braai is a built in with flu pipe chimney that will go through the carport roof. I am a bit uncertain as to where to start the process but understand I need to submit plans for approval first. How does the process work to have plans done and what are the estimated costs to have these plans drafted that I must submit to CoCT for approval? Its probably about 20-25 sqm. Much appreciated if you can advise.

Extension or Remodel

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Lansd
  • Approx. size (sqm): 200–600 sqm
  • Estimated project start: Within a month

I need to determine whether it will be cheaper to renovate or to move home. In order to this, I first need to have approved designs for a renovation that I can then have fully costed out in terms renovation costs, etc. My home is around sqm (maybe) and I'm thinking of building another floor on top in order to retain the usable space on the ERF itself. I would need a quote on architectural services, but also to understand your value proposition, i.e. do you run the plans through to approval as well, what other services are included, etc. I prefer an emailed quote but WhatsApp via this number is fine. Thank you.

Interior design

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Sea Point
  • Approx. size (sqm): Less than 100 sqm
  • Estimated project start: 1–3 months

I want to renovate my small apartment. 1. There are some walls I want removed 2. I want to reduce the bathroom size and then modernise it. 3. I would like the kitchen to be opened up and modernised. 4. I would like a modular working corner. 5. I would like the sleeping area to be partitioned by frosted glass. 6. I would like the floors redone. The apartment is 41 square meters

Extension or Remodel

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Daveyton
  • Approx. size (sqm): 100–200 sqm
  • Estimated project start: Within a month

An old 4 roomed houe square meter yard, (Two backrooms and toilet already there), I need to add a drive thru garage one bedroom to make 3 bedrooms ,lounge,sitting room and an open plan kitchen. Gate on the left side for drive thru and a garage on the boudary wall. On the right side 2m from the wall and front right 2m from the front wall.

Other architectural service

  • Property type: Apartment/Flat
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Sea Point
  • Approx. size (sqm): More than 600 sqm
  • Estimated project start: 1–3 months

I live in an Art Deco heritage building in Seapoint called . We require the assistance of a conservation architect to provide guidance and plans for the maintenance and upkeep of our building. Below I have listed our brief. Guidance and insight: Provide a general overview of things we should consider for the preservation of the building from a conservation perspective Stair maintenance: • We need handrails for the internal and external staircases and require guidance on the material and style that is in keeping with the building's heritage Window frames and doors: • We require plans that include both the material and style spec for our current doors and windows.. • Understand how the spec might differ for the front, back and side of the building with consideration to balcony doors, front doors, bathrooms windows etc Door security: • Explore security alternatives specifically for doors facing the exterior that are in keeping with the building's heritage

Extension or Remodel

  • Property type: House/Townhouse
  • City or suburb where you need the service: Doornpoort
  • Approx. size (sqm): 100–200 sqm
  • Estimated project start: More than 3 months

We would like to extend or increase the room sizes of the current house. For example, increase the bathroom space to allow for a shower. Increase the lounge and kitchen space as well. We have approved as-built drawings and require new layouts for municipal approval. The date of the house renovations is not yet confirmed.