A homeowner is planning a single-storey rear extension. She contacts three architecture practices. The first replies with a fee proposal full of terms she does not understand. The second says fees are "typically a percentage of build cost" without saying what percentage or what the build might cost. The third explains its fixed fees for each stage, from measured survey to planning drawings, and what is included. She books a site visit with the third.
Fees are often the deciding factor in which architect gets the project. Explaining them clearly wins clients.
What homeowners ask
Homeowners usually ask how the architect charges, what each stage costs, what is included in the fee, whether planning and building regulations drawings are separate, whether the architect manages the build, what happens if the design needs changes and when payment is due.
Example conversations
These scripts use information a practice might publish. Your answers should come from your own pages.
Homeowner: How much would you charge for a rear extension? Assistant: The fees page explains that the practice charges fixed fees for each stage, with typical ranges for extensions listed. The architect will confirm after a site visit. Could you share your address, roughly what you'd like to build and your timeline?
Homeowner: Are building regulations drawings included? Assistant: The page explains that planning drawings and building regulations drawings are separate stages, each with its own fee, so you can decide how far to take the project.
Homeowner: Do you charge for design changes? Assistant: The page explains how many rounds of design changes are included at each stage, and how further changes are charged.
Fees by stage
Breaking fees into stages, such as survey, concept design, planning, building regulations and construction support, helps homeowners see where their money goes and choose what they need. Professional firms compete on this clarity, as described in fee questions that decide which firm gets the client.
Percentage fees explained
If you charge a percentage, explain what it is a percentage of and give an example. Homeowners are wary of fees that grow with a number they do not control.
Other costs
Homeowners are often surprised by other costs, such as surveys, structural engineers and planning application fees. Listing them as separate items helps them budget realistically.
Planning questions come next
Once fees are clear, homeowners ask about planning. That is covered in planning and permission questions clients ask architects.
Money questions with care
Some homeowners are anxious about budgets. Responding with care, as described in how to handle sensitive questions in your chatbot, matters.
What the assistant is, and is not
An assistant answers from the practice's published pages and captures enquiries. It does not design, advise on planning or agree fees. That plain description is covered in AI employee explained without hype.
Why cheap fees can cost more
Some homeowners choose the cheapest architect and later find that drawings do not include what the builder needs, leading to extra costs. Explaining what a complete set of drawings includes, and how that saves money on site, helps homeowners compare fees fairly. Practices that explain value, rather than only price, attract clients who stay for the whole project.
Small projects
Some practices take on only larger projects. If you welcome smaller jobs, such as a loft conversion or a porch, say so clearly, because many homeowners assume architects will not be interested.
Answering at any hour
SpideyChat for architecture practices answers fee questions from your own pages at any hour and captures project details for a proposal.
A fees page
Publish your fee structure, stages, what is included and other likely costs. Try SpideyChat on your own site, or read about capture on the features page.