Ask three architects what they charge and you will get three different answers, in three different formats.

One quotes a percentage. One quotes an hourly rate. One quotes a price per square foot. None of them line up, and you are left doing algebra at the kitchen table.

The fee model matters as much as the number. Here is how to compare them, and what we charge.

What TomCo’s Design Studio charges

Our design projects start around $3,500. That is the studio’s minimum, and it covers smaller work like as-builts and simpler permit drawings.

Typical larger or complex design work, like a full custom home, runs about $8,000–$40,000+.

We quote a fixed design fee up front, after a discovery call. You know the number before we start drawing.

National context: how architects usually charge

National cost guides such as HomeGuide report these typical ranges:

• Percentage of construction: about 8%–15% of construction cost for custom homes and new builds.
• Architect hourly rate: about $100–$250 an hour for an architect, and about $160–$350 an hour for a principal.
• Architect cost per square foot: about $2–$15 per square foot, depending on the services included.

Do the math on a percentage fee. Eight to fifteen percent of a serious build budget is a big number, and it goes up every time the construction cost goes up. That is one reason we prefer a fixed fee.

Comparing architect fee models

Fee model	Typical range	How it works	Watch out for
Percentage of construction	About 8%–15% (national guides)	Fee rises or falls with the final construction cost	The designer earns more when the house costs more
Hourly	About $100–$250 architect; $160–$350 principal	You pay for time spent, often against an estimate	Revisions and meetings keep the meter running
Per square foot	About $2–$15/sf	Fee is tied to the size of the building	Ask exactly which services the rate includes
Fixed fee (TomCo)	From about $3,500; typical larger work $8,000–$40,000+	One price for a defined scope, quoted after discovery	Make sure the scope is written clearly so you know what is in and out

What is included in the design fee

Every project is scoped individually, but a TomCo design engagement typically covers:

• A discovery call to define goals, site, budget and timeline
• Schematic design: layouts, massing and exterior concepts
• Design development with pricing input from our build team
• Permit-ready architectural documents
• Coordination of the outside consultants your project needs

What is not included automatically

Outside disciplines are not baked into the design fee. That typically means:

• Structural engineering
• MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) engineering
• Geotechnical work
• Survey
• Energy calculations

We coordinate all of it, so you have one team running the drawings instead of five separate phone numbers. Building departments typically require signed and sealed structural documents and wind-load design for new homes, so plan for engineering on any new build. If you are unsure where the line falls, our guide on architect vs. engineer breaks it down.

What drives architect cost

Two projects of the same size can carry very different fees. The usual drivers:

• Project type. A new custom home takes more design than a single-room addition or a set of as-builts.
• Complexity. Custom rooflines, large openings, multiple stories and specialty spaces add drawing time.
• The site. Tampa Bay design wind speeds are high and site-specific. Flood zones require elevating to the design flood elevation, and coastal zones need open foundations such as piles or columns.
• Existing conditions. Additions and remodels often need as-built drawings before design can start.
• Revisions. Changing direction late costs more than deciding early.
• Jurisdiction. Submittal requirements vary by building department.
• Timing. The 9th Edition of the Florida Building Code takes effect December 31, 2026. Applications submitted on or after that date are generally reviewed under the new edition.

Design fee vs. total project cost

The design fee is a small slice of the total. The bigger number is construction. If you are budgeting a new home, our guide to what it costs to build a custom home in Tampa covers the build side.

The cheapest way to save money on construction is to price it during design. That is how our Design Studio works, because it sits inside a builder. See the full studio on our Architectural Design page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an architect cost in Tampa?

At TomCo Solutions, design projects start around $3,500, and typical larger or complex work runs about $8,000 to $40,000 or more, quoted as a fixed fee after a discovery call. National cost guides such as HomeGuide put architects at about 8% to 15% of construction cost for custom homes.

What is a typical architect hourly rate?

National cost guides such as HomeGuide report about $100 to $250 an hour for an architect and about $160 to $350 an hour for a principal. TomCo quotes a fixed design fee instead of billing hourly.

What is the architect cost per square foot?

National cost guides report about $2 to $15 per square foot, depending on the services included. Always ask which services a per-square-foot rate actually covers.

Does the design fee include engineering?

Not automatically. Structural, MEP, geotechnical, survey and energy calculations are outside disciplines. TomCo coordinates them for you, and they are scoped separately from the design fee.

Why does TomCo use a fixed fee instead of a percentage?

A fixed fee gives you a known number before design starts, and it does not grow when construction cost grows. It also keeps everyone focused on getting the design right instead of on billable hours.