How much does a building designer cost?

Building designers typically charge $2,000–$6,000 for concept plans and $6,000–$15,000 for full documentation, or roughly 3–5% of the build cost.

Typical price band

$8,000typical

$1,500 low$25,000 high

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Real-world examples

Concept plans only$1,500 – $6,000

Extension, full documentation$6,000 – $15,000

New home design$12,000 – $30,000

— Project size & complexity. A wet-area reno needs far less documentation than a two-storey extension or new build.

— Scope of engagement. Concept-only is cheap; full documentation, approvals and builder liaison multiply the fee.

— Approval pathway. A development application with council involves more drawings and reports than a private certifier route.

— Consultant coordination. Engineering, energy ratings and surveys are usually extra and arranged through the designer.

— Revisions. Major design changes after concept sign-off are typically billed on top.

— Ask exactly which drawings and approvals each fee stage includes — scope gaps cause budget blowouts later.

— Check the designer is registered or accredited in your state where required.

— Good documentation pays for itself: vague drawings lead to expensive builder variations on site.

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Indicative range only, not a quote. Get quotes from local tradies for an exact price. Last updated 13 July 2026.

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