Fees
What a project costs — and what it gives back.
In Portugal, in most cases they fall between 3% and 12% of the estimated construction cost — and the exact figure depends on complexity, size and the phases contracted.
A percentage of the construction cost — the most common and transparent method.
Since liberalisation there are no mandatory fee tables: the percentage is agreed case by case. Fees follow the real scale of what is being designed.
From the works to the fee
The percentage tracks the scale
The order of the maths: fees are set from the construction cost — and it is precisely the architect’s work that keeps that cost within budget.
We choose the model that gives your case the most predictability.
Percentage of the construction cost
The most common and transparent method — fees follow the real scale of what is being designed.
Fixed fee
Agreed upfront from the brief. Full predictability on well-defined projects.
Hourly
For consultancy, technical opinions and small interventions — typically €50 to €150/hour.
Fees pay for a process, not a drawing.
A complete contract covers the base brief, the preliminary study, licensing (including submitting the process to the council), the execution design and technical assistance on site.
Always confirm separately: engineering (structure, services, thermal, acoustic), topographic survey, geotechnical study and site supervision — comparing proposals is only honest when it compares the same scope.
- 01Preliminary study — reading the site, brief and feasibility.
- 02Licensing — design and submission of the council process.
- 03Execution design — detailing and coordination of engineering.
- 04Technical assistance — ensures what was designed is what gets built.
Phased with the work: a payment on appointment and instalments per completed phase.
What clients usually ask us.
Why are there no longer fee tables?
They were abolished under competition law: each practice sets its own fees freely. Transparency today lives in the contract — scope, phases, deliverables and the calculation basis in writing.
Can I contract only the licensing?
You can, but it rarely pays off: the execution design is what protects the construction budget, and technical assistance is what ensures what was designed is what gets built.
Are fees paid all at once?
No — they are phased with the work: typically a payment on appointment and instalments per completed phase (preliminary study, licensing, execution, construction).
And for small remodelling jobs?
For smaller interventions a fixed fee or hourly rate is common, because the percentage of a small job does not cover the real technical hours.
Tell us what you want to build.
Send us the site and the brief. We’ll come back with an estimate of fees, timelines and scope — no obligation.