Why good planning is crucial
Whether it's a new build, renovation, or energy-efficient refurbishment, the biggest lever for quality and costs is almost always in the planning stage. A well-thought-out floor plan improves everyday life, careful detailed planning prevents structural damage, and good coordination saves weeks on the construction site. This is exactly where the architect comes in. In Switzerland, many owners therefore rely on professional planning: for a single-family home, apartment renovation, feasibility study, or property development.
At the same time, there is a great deal of uncertainty: What exactly does an architect do? What services do you really need? And how much should you realistically expect to pay? This guide provides a practical overview of the topic, explains typical service components, outlines common billing models, and helps you find the right specialist for your project—without any technical jargon.
Job profile: What architects really do in construction projects
An architect is not just a "designer," but often the person who turns your project from a dream into a buildable reality. They combine design, technology, legal requirements, budget, and processes into a plan that contractors can later work with reliably. Depending on the job, they may take on individual parts or accompany the project from start to finish.
1) Assessing needs and translating project goals
At the outset, requirements are specified: What spaces are needed? What are the priorities (energy, comfort, accessibility, materials, schedule)? This clarification may sound simple, but it prevents costly corrections later on.
2) Design and review options
Architects create designs and compare options: floor plan solutions, building volume, daylight, access, material concepts. At the same time, feasibility, building regulations, and budget are integrated into the review of options—so that you don't invest in a plan that later fails to get building approval or exceeds the budget.
3) Building application and coordination withauthorities
Complete plans and documents are required for approval. The architect prepares the dossier so that municipalities and cantonal authorities can review it efficiently. Queries, adjustments, and supporting documents (e.g., energy) are coordinated.
4) Managing specialist planners and interfaces
Structural engineering, building services, electrical engineering, energy consulting, fire protection, or special trades: many projects involve several planners. The architect ensures that the details fit together—so that it doesn't only become apparent on the construction site that pipes, beams, and connections are colliding.
5) Overseeing execution, monitoring quality and costs
If the contract also includes construction management, the architect monitors deadlines, execution, and budget, conducts site meetings, checks invoices, and organizes inspections. This reduces the risk of defects being overlooked or costs getting out of hand.
The bottom line is that the architect is often your representative: they bring structure to decisions, ensure technical correctness, and help identify risks early on.
Architect fees in Switzerland – how fees are typically calculated
Architects' fees are not determined "by feel," but are based on the type of project, its complexity, and the scope of services. In Switzerland, many firms base their fees on SIA 102 (fee and service regulations), but combine this with flat rates or hourly billing depending on the job.
Guidelines depending on project type
Newconstruction
In the case of new construction, the process is usually easy to plan because the starting point is clear. If the design, approval, implementation planning, and construction management all come from a single source, the fee is often within the following range:
Approximately 10–14% of the construction cost
Conversion/renovation
There are many uncertainties in existing buildings: concealed pipes and cables, supporting structures, moisture, sound insulation, detailed connections. This increases the need for planning and coordination.
Approximately 12–20% of the construction cost
Extension/expansion
Extensions are technically challenging because old and new elements must work together (thermal bridges, connections, statics, building services).
Approximately 12–18% of the construction cost
Billing models that you often see in quotes
Percentage fee based on construction costs (SIA-oriented)
Very common for larger projects with multiple phases. The percentage often increases with complexity and decreases if you only commission sub-phases.
Flat fee for clearly definedstages
E.g., feasibility study, building application, or design phase. Advantage: high transparency—if the service is described precisely.
Hourly rate for consulting and additionalassignments
Typical for specific questions or when the scope is not fixed.
Guidelines: often $120–$180/hour, depending on experience and region, sometimes more.
Sample calculations for rough guidance
New single-family home (construction cost approx. $900,000–$1,000,000)
Fees often range from $90,000 to $140,000 (depending on the scope of services).
Renovation project 100–150m²
Depending on the extent of the work: $30,000–$85,000.
Small projects (interior renovation, bathroom/kitchen, partial planning)
Planning and coordination: $5,000–$17,000, depending on whether permits/construction management are required.
Tip: Price comparisons only make sense if the offers include the same scope of services (e.g., with/without tendering, with/without construction management, same level of detail).
Service phases: What architectural services are available—and what they cost approximately
Many builders think of "design" first. In practice, however, a project consists of several building blocks that you can combine as needed.
Feasibility assessment / Initial consultation
Useful if you want to know early on whether the project makes sense in terms of building regulations, technology, and finances (e.g., before purchasing land or undertaking complex renovations).
Cost: approx. $3,000–7,000
Preliminary project & design development
This is where variants, floor plans, room concepts, initial material ideas, and a realistic budget are developed. This phase determines the character of the house later on—and prevents wrong decisions.
Costs: often 4–10% of the construction sum (depending on depth and number of variants)
Construction project & approval documents
Plans, building specifications, supporting documents, and coordination with authorities. In this phase, the project is made "approvable."
Costs: often 4–6% of the construction sum
Tender & contractor selection
Services are put out to tender, bids are compared, quality/deadlines are checked, and contracts are prepared.
Costs: often 3–5% of the construction sum
implementation planning
Detailed plans and specifications for tradespeople: dimensions, connections, details, material definitions. This phase prevents costly construction errors.
Cost estimate: approx. 2–5% of the total construction cost
Construction management & controlling
Scheduling, quality control, invoice and cost control, construction site coordination.
Costs: often 3–7% of the construction sum
Final phase: Acceptance & documentation
Defect management, final acceptance, handover of documentation and plans for operation/maintenance.
Costs: often 1–2% of the construction sum
Architect, construction manager, or general contractor/total contractor—which project form is the right one?
The role you assign depends on how much control and flexibility you want—and how much coordination you can or want to take on yourself.
Architect as overallpartner
Ideal if you want a customized solution, if renovation/existing structures are a sensitive issue, or if you value independent quality and cost control. You have more influence on materials, details, and contractor selection—but you need clear decisions to keep the project running efficiently.
Construction manager with a focus onexecution
This makes sense if the planning and detailed plans are already in place and you primarily need construction site management: scheduling, control, and coordination during implementation.
General contractor (GC) / Total contractor (TC)
GC/TC are attractive if you are looking for an "all-round solution" and want as few interfaces as possible. The GC takes care of execution (planning partly external), while the TC takes care of planning and execution. Advantage: clear responsibility and often a total price. Disadvantage: changes can be expensive, and the scope for details/materials is often more limited than with an architectural solution.
Which is cheaper?
There is no blanket statement that "general contractors are cheaper" or "architects are cheaper." General contractors/technical contractors can offer advantages through standardization and purchasing. Architectural projects offer greater transparency and independent control, but can become more expensive due to numerous variations or late changes. The key factor is discipline in planning—not just the model.
Money-saving tips: How to plan smartly and still get quality
Create clear specifications early on
The more precisely you define what you want (and what you don't want), the fewer planning hours will be spent on correction loops.
Reduce options and consolidate decisions
Multiple material options, kitchen layouts, or facade variants can be exciting, but they quickly consume a lot of planning time. Better: fewer, clear options—but consistent ones.
Proven systems instead of specialsolutions
Standard dimensions, modular components, and tried-and-tested details reduce effort, risks, and subsequent additions.
Involve an architect early on, not only when problems arise.
The earlier conflicts with building regulations, structural engineering, or building services become apparent, the less expensive adjustments will be.
Compare quotes – but only if the services are identical
A quote that includes construction management cannot be compared with a quote that only includes design services. Make sure that the phase, scope, and responsibilities are described in the same way.
Use your own skills in a targeted manner
Demolition, dismantling, clearing out, or painting can pay off if it is organized properly. However, anything related to the supporting structure, moisture, waterproofing, or building services should be left to the professionals.
Conclusion: Good architectural function results from planning, control, and clarity.
A construction project in Switzerland is a major investment—both financially and emotionally. An architect can help you turn your idea into a project that is approvable, buildable, and budgetable. At the same time, professional planning protects you from typical cost traps: unclear details, lack of coordination, poorly comparable quotes, or addenda on the construction site.
When looking for a specialist, pay particular attention to transparent service descriptions, comprehensible fee models, suitable references—and whether the communication is right. After all, good cooperation is often the difference between a "construction project" and "construction chaos."
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