The short answer: it depends.
That doesn’t help you very much. The long answer is more useful.
An architect assignment can cost DKK 15,000. It can also cost DKK 400,000. The difference isn’t about some architects being greedy and others being reasonable — it’s about the scope, complexity and pricing model agreed for the collaboration.
Here’s an honest breakdown.
The three pricing models
There are fundamentally three ways to price architectural services:
Fixed price
Suits well-defined tasks with a clear deliverable: “We need drawings for a 30 m² extension” or “We need a floor plan for the building permit application.”
Advantage: You know exactly what it costs before you start. No surprises.
Disadvantage: If the architect discovers the task is more complex than assumed, friction can arise about what’s included. A fixed price works best when the specification is sharp.
Typical range: DKK 10,000–50,000 for smaller assignments.
Hourly rate
Used for consultancy, sketching, unpredictable tasks and situations where scope is hard to establish in advance. You pay for the time actually used.
Advantage: Works well for shorter advisory engagements and tasks that evolve as they go.
Disadvantage: Requires trust and ongoing dialogue about time spent. Always ask for a time budget estimate — not to hold the architect to a number, but to have a benchmark.
Current rates in Denmark: DKK 900–1,500/hour excl. VAT. The level depends on the practice and the person’s experience. Specialist consultancy can be higher.
Percentage of construction cost
Standard for larger projects where the architect follows the assignment all the way through: from sketch proposal through detailed design and tendering to supervision during construction.
The principle is that the fee scales with the project’s size — and therefore with the effort required. It’s the model that best reflects the real work behind a major project.
Typical range: 8–15% of construction cost excl. VAT for full architectural services. The exact percentage depends on the project’s complexity, whether there’s repetition efficiency, and whether the assignment demands special expertise (listed buildings, specialist structures, etc.).
Examples in concrete figures
To make this tangible:
| Project | Construction cost | Architect fee (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| New bathroom | DKK 100,000–200,000 | DKK 15,000–30,000 |
| Extension | DKK 500,000–1,500,000 | DKK 50,000–150,000 |
| Total renovation | DKK 2,000,000+ | DKK 200,000–400,000 |
These figures are indicative. A straightforward extension with no complications sits at the low end. A project with many interfaces, listed building status or complex planning authority requirements will sit higher.
What do you get for your money?
Architectural services aren’t one thing — they’re a series of separate phases that can be purchased individually or as a package:
Sketch proposal
The starting point: concept development, alternative floor plan options, massing studies. This is where the project’s direction is defined. It’s the phase where changing your mind is cheapest.
Planning application and building permit
Drawings and documentation for the municipal building department. Requires knowledge of the building regulations, local plan and current standards. Often undervalued — but this is precisely where mistakes cost most to fix.
Main project (detailed design)
The drawings and specifications the contractors work from. The quality of the main project largely determines whether construction runs smoothly or fills up with questions and variation orders. A good project sets precise requirements — and reduces the risk that would otherwise fall on the client.
Construction management and site supervision
The architect follows construction during execution: attends site meetings, checks whether contractors are working to the project, handles deviations and approves completed work. This is the part most homeowners cut to save money — and the part that most often leads to disputes when things go wrong.
Planning authority dialogue
Not all projects are straightforward. Is the building listed? Does the project need an exemption from the local plan? Are neighbour consultations in play? An architect who knows how to navigate the authorities is worth the money — and saves you months of back-and-forth correspondence.
When do you not need an architect?
It’s a legitimate question, and it deserves an honest answer.
You probably don’t need an architect for:
- New roof without changes: A roofing contractor can supply technical documentation for the building application.
- Window replacement: The supplier can typically assist with documentation, and it’s rarely a complex planning matter.
- Painting and floors: Pure trades work.
- Simple renovation of non-structural elements: Kitchen, bathroom, surfaces — the tradespeople are the right people here.
You probably do need an architect for:
- Extensions — even if it’s “only” 10 m²
- Energy renovation that combines insulation, windows, ventilation and heat source
- Alterations involving the load-bearing structure
- Listed buildings or properties with special heritage values
- Projects requiring building permits where you want the best chance of getting one
The boundary isn’t sharp. But as a rule of thumb: the more complex, and the greater the cost of error — the more expensive it is to go without.
FAQ
What does an architect charge per hour? In Denmark, typically DKK 900–1,500/hour excl. VAT for an experienced architect. Junior staff at a practice are usually billed at lower rates. Specialist consultancy (e.g. listed buildings, specialist structures) can be higher.
Can I save money by drawing the plans myself? Yes and no. You can save the fee for the drawing phase — but only if you have the right skills and software. Contractors expect professional drawings. And authorities require documentation that meets current regulations. Errors in the design are most often discovered during construction — and that’s the most expensive time to find them.
When do I need a project manager instead of an architect? A client-side project manager (sometimes called a construction manager) helps you coordinate, control costs and manage the programme — but doesn’t design or typically produce drawings. An architect does both. On larger projects, both are used: the architect for the technical, the project manager for leadership.
Is architectural help necessary for energy renovation? Not legally required — but strongly recommended if the renovation is complex or combines multiple measures. An architect can see the whole picture: what can be combined, what the right sequence is, and how to avoid creating new problems (e.g. moisture issues from added insulation without the right vapour barrier).