Quick Answer
Architect fees in Kenya is usually between 6% to 10% of the construction cost for full services, from design to supervision. On a KSh 10 million house, that is about KSh 600,000 to KSh 1,000,000. Simple design-only jobs, hourly consultations and lump-sum quotes cost less, but they also cover less.
Most people only discover how architects charge after they have already signed something. This guide explains how fees are calculated, what each shilling pays for, what is not included, and how to compare quotes fairly before you commit.
If you are still working out your overall budget, read our full construction cost breakdown first. This article focuses only on the architect’s part of the bill.
How Much is the Architect Fees in Kenya? (At a Glance)
| Fee method | Typical range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of construction cost | 6%–10% | Full design, approvals and supervision |
| Lump sum (fixed fee) | Agreed per project | Clearly defined, smaller jobs |
| Hourly rate | KSh 15,000–20,000 per hour for senior architects (BORAQS rates, 2022/23) | Advice, reviews, small tasks |
| Per square metre | Varies by firm | Quick early-stage comparisons |
These are market ranges, not fixed prices. Your final fee depends on the size, complexity and scope of your project, and every quote should be in writing.
The Four Ways Architects Charge
1. Percentage of construction cost
This is the most common method for houses and commercial buildings. Fees for architects and quantity surveyors in Kenya are set out in scales of charges under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act (Cap 525), and those scales are percentage-based. The figures most often quoted for new buildings run from about 6% to 10%.
Two things make the percentage vary:
- Project size. The percentage generally falls as the project value rises. A KSh 3 million house sits towards the top of the range, while a KSh 50 million development sits towards the bottom.
- Complexity. Sloping sites, unusual shapes, high-end finishes and renovations of older buildings take more design time, so the percentage rises.
2. Lump sum
Some architects agree a fixed fee for a clearly defined scope, such as a set of approval drawings for a standard bungalow. This gives you certainty, but only if the scope is written down. Ask exactly which drawings, how many revisions and which services are included.
3. Hourly rates
BORAQS published hourly rates for the 2022/23 financial year that put senior architects with more than 12 years of experience at about KSh 20,000 per hour, and those with 8 to 12 years at about KSh 15,000. Rates are reviewed over time, so confirm the current figures. Hourly billing suits site visits, design reviews and second opinions rather than a whole building.
4. Per square metre
Some firms quote a price per square metre of floor area. It makes quick comparisons easy, but check whether it covers only drawings or the full service through approvals and supervision.
What Does the Architect Fees Look Like in Shillings?
Here is what the 6% to 10% range means at different budgets (design, approvals and supervision combined):
| Construction cost | Architect’s fee at 6% | Architect’s fee at 10% |
|---|---|---|
| KSh 5 million | KSh 300,000 | KSh 500,000 |
| KSh 10 million | KSh 600,000 | KSh 1,000,000 |
| KSh 20 million | KSh 1,200,000 | KSh 2,000,000 |
| KSh 50 million | KSh 3,000,000 | KSh 5,000,000 |
Larger projects often negotiate lower percentages, so treat the right-hand column as a ceiling for big developments rather than a standard rate.
What Is Included in an Architect’s Fee?
A full-service fee normally covers the whole journey from first meeting to handover. The work is split into stages:
1. Briefing and site appraisal. The architect listens to your needs, budget and plot conditions, and reviews your title, survey plan and zoning.
2. Concept and sketch design. Early floor plans, massing and layout options for you to react to.
3. Design development. A refined design with room sizes, elevations, sections and material choices, often with 3D views so you can see the result before you build.
4. Approval drawings. Architectural drawings prepared for submission to the county planning office, together with the structural drawings from your engineer.
5. Tender and construction documents. Detailed drawings and specifications that contractors can price, usually alongside a bill of quantities.
6. Construction supervision and administration. Site visits, checking work against the drawings, answering contractor queries and certifying progress.
7. Completion. Snagging, final inspections and handover documentation.
Not every client buys every stage. A design-only fee stops after approvals, while a full-service fee includes supervision. Always check which stages your quote covers.
What Is Not Included (Costs That Surprise Clients)
The architect’s percentage rarely covers the other people and permits your project needs. Budget separately for:
- Structural engineer. Designs the foundation, columns, beams and slabs.
- Quantity surveyor. Prepares the bill of quantities and cost plan.
- Mechanical and electrical design on larger or commercial buildings.
- Land survey and soil tests. Essential before foundation design, especially on black cotton soil.
- County plan approval fees and the NCA levy.
- Environmental assessment where your project requires it.
- Interior design and furniture, unless you agree them as an extra.
- Extra revisions after you have signed off on a design.
Typical Fees for the Rest of Your Professional Team
| Professional or charge | Typical range | On a KSh 10 million build |
|---|---|---|
| Architect Fees | 6%–10% | KSh 600,000–1,000,000 |
| Structural engineer | 1.5%–3.5% | KSh 150,000–350,000 |
| Quantity surveyor | 2%–4% | KSh 200,000–400,000 |
| Project manager (optional) | 2%–5% | KSh 200,000–500,000 |
| County plan approval | about 0.5%–1% | KSh 50,000–100,000 |
| NCA levy | about 0.5% | about KSh 50,000 |
Together these usually add up to roughly 10% to 20% of the construction cost. Counties set their own charges, so confirm approval fees with your county planning office.
Why Quotes Differ So Much
Two architects can quote very different numbers for the same house. The usual reasons are:
- Scope. One quote includes supervision and the other does not.
- Experience and registration. Senior, registered architects charge more than junior designers.
- Design complexity. Multi-storey, sloping-site or heavily customised designs take longer.
- Location. Site visits to distant plots add travel and time.
- Project size. Larger budgets attract lower percentages.
- Integrated services. A firm that also handles engineering and surveying can often reduce back-and-forth and duplicated costs.
How Are Architect Fees Paid? Payment Stages
Architect fees are normally paid in instalments tied to project stages, for example when the concept is accepted, when approval drawings are submitted, and during construction. The exact schedule is negotiated, so ask for it in writing before you start. Avoid paying the whole fee upfront, and never pay for work that has not begun.
How to Pay Less Without Lowering Quality
- Arrive with a clear brief. Room list, budget, family size and style preferences reduce redesign time.
- Keep the design simple. Rectangular footprints and simple roofs cost less to design and to build.
- Agree the scope first. Decide whether you need supervision, and price it separately if you are unsure.
- Limit revisions. Agree how many rounds are included.
- Use one integrated team. Combining architecture, engineering and surveying reduces coordination gaps.
- Compare like with like. Ask every firm to quote against the same list of services.
Red Flags to Watch For
- A quote far below everyone else’s with no explanation.
- No BORAQS registration number, or a refusal to show registration.
- No written agreement or no clear scope of services.
- “Free drawings” that quietly shift the cost to supervision or contractor referrals.
- Pressure to pay the full fee before design starts.
- No plan for who handles county approvals.
You can confirm that a professional is registered through the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), and that a contractor is registered through the National Construction Authority (NCA).
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Tap each question to reveal why it matters — then use it as your pre-signing checklist.
A good architect will welcome these questions. If any answer is vague, get it in writing before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Clear Fee Quote for Your Project
At Timely Architecture and Engineering Survey, our architects, engineers and surveyors work together from the first sketch, so you receive one clear scope and fee instead of piecing together quotes from several firms. Tell us your plot, size and budget and we will explain what each stage costs. Learn more about our architect and engineer services in Nairobi or contact us on WhatsApp for a free estimate.
Get a Free EstimateThe fee ranges in this article are market estimates compiled from published Kenyan sources and professional scales and are provided for planning only. Confirm current rates and your exact scope in a written agreement before you commit.
