{"id":5530,"date":"2026-09-16T20:50:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T20:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/fees\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T20:50:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T20:50:56","slug":"fees","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/fees\/","title":{"rendered":"Fees"},"content":{"rendered":"<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Archivo:wght@300;400;500;600&#038;family=Newsreader:ital,opsz,wght@0,6..72,300;0,6..72,400;1,6..72,300&#038;display=swap\">\n<style>\n.trc-hon{--ground:#efeae1;--ground-2:#e7e1d6;--ink:#232019;--muted:#8a8375;--line:#d9d3c7;--accent:#8a6d3b;--accent-soft:#c9a86a;--on-ink:#efeae1;--sans:\"Archivo\",system-ui,sans-serif;--serif:\"Newsreader\",Georgia,serif;\n  font-family:var(--serif);color:var(--ink);font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;max-width:1120px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 24px}\n.trc-hon *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.trc-hon h1,.trc-hon h2,.trc-hon h3,.trc-hon h4,.trc-hon 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.grid2-in{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:28px}.trc-hon .grid2{grid-template-columns:1fr}}\n@media(max-width:620px){.trc-hon .trust{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:26px}.trc-hon .models{grid-template-columns:1fr}}\n@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.trc-hon *{transition:none!important}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"trc-hon\">\n<section class=\"hon-hero\">\n    <span class=\"eyebrow\">Architect&#8217;s fees<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>What a project costs \u2014 and what it gives back.<\/h1>\n<p class=\"lede\">In Portugal, in most cases they fall between <b>3% and 12%<\/b> of the estimated construction cost \u2014 and the exact figure depends on complexity, size and the phases contracted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cta-row\">\n      <a class=\"btn\" href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Request a proposal<\/a><br \/>\n      <a class=\"btn btn-ghost\" href=\"#hon-modelo\">See how it&#8217;s calculated<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"trust\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"stat-n\">60+<\/div>\n<div class=\"stat-l\">completed projects<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"stat-n\">15<\/div>\n<div class=\"stat-l\">years of practice<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"stat-n\">16<\/div>\n<div class=\"stat-l\">municipalities<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"stat-n\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"stat-l\">point of contact, from concept to site<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sec\">\n<div class=\"panel\">\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">From concept to construction<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"bq\">Cheap fees with a narrow scope are the <em>most expensive deal<\/em> in construction: what you save on the design you pay for on site, with interest.<\/div>\n<div class=\"src\">Tiago R. Correia \u00b7 Architect<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sec\" id=\"hon-modelo\">\n<div class=\"sec-head\">\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">How it&#8217;s calculated<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>A percentage of the construction cost \u2014 the most common and transparent method.<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"charts\">\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h3>From the works to the fee<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sub\">Example from our guide \u2014 a 200 m&#178; house<\/div>\n<p>        <svg class=\"chart\" viewBox=\"0 0 460 150\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"For an estimated works cost of 280,000 euros, the design fee with engineering runs 6 to 8 percent, around 17 to 22 thousand euros.\">\n          <rect class=\"track\" x=\"0\" y=\"30\" width=\"460\" height=\"34\" rx=\"4\"\/>\n          <rect class=\"bar-acc\" x=\"0\" y=\"30\" width=\"32\" height=\"34\" rx=\"4\"\/>\n          <rect class=\"bar-ink\" x=\"36\" y=\"30\" width=\"424\" height=\"34\" rx=\"4\"\/>\n          <text class=\"val\" x=\"0\" y=\"20\">6&#8211;8%<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl\" x=\"0\" y=\"90\">Design + engineering<\/text>\n          <text class=\"val\" x=\"460\" y=\"20\" text-anchor=\"end\">92&#8211;94%<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl\" x=\"460\" y=\"90\" text-anchor=\"end\">Construction cost<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl muted\" x=\"0\" y=\"126\">Works &#8364;280,000 (200 m&#178; &#215; &#8364;1,400\/m&#178;)<\/text>\n          <text class=\"val\" x=\"460\" y=\"126\" text-anchor=\"end\">design &#8776; &#8364;17&#8211;22,000<\/text>\n        <\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"illus\">Real example from the guide \u00b7 figures depend on the case<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h3>The percentage tracks the scale<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sub\">Where your project falls, between 3% and 12%<\/div>\n<p>        <svg class=\"chart\" viewBox=\"0 0 460 150\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"The percentage ranges from 3 to 12 percent; it falls for larger and new-build works and rises for small works, refurbishment and heritage. The typical band with engineering is 6 to 8 percent.\">\n          <rect class=\"track\" x=\"20\" y=\"40\" width=\"420\" height=\"18\" rx=\"4\"\/>\n          <rect class=\"bar-acc\" x=\"230\" y=\"40\" width=\"70\" height=\"18\" rx=\"4\"\/>\n          <text class=\"val\" x=\"265\" y=\"30\" text-anchor=\"middle\">6&#8211;8% typical<\/text>\n          <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"62\" x2=\"20\" y2=\"68\" stroke=\"#d9d3c7\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n          <line x1=\"125\" y1=\"62\" x2=\"125\" y2=\"68\" stroke=\"#d9d3c7\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n          <line x1=\"440\" y1=\"62\" x2=\"440\" y2=\"68\" stroke=\"#d9d3c7\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n          <text class=\"lbl muted\" x=\"20\" y=\"84\">0%<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl muted\" x=\"125\" y=\"84\" text-anchor=\"middle\">3%<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl muted\" x=\"440\" y=\"84\" text-anchor=\"end\">12%<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl\" x=\"20\" y=\"118\">&#8595; lower \u2014 larger works, new build<\/text>\n          <text class=\"lbl\" x=\"20\" y=\"138\">&#8593; higher \u2014 small works, refurbishment, heritage<\/text>\n        <\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"illus\">Four factors: complexity \u00b7 size \u00b7 use \u00b7 phases<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"takeaway\"><b>The order of the maths:<\/b> fees are set from the construction cost \u2014 and it is precisely the architect&#8217;s work that keeps that cost within budget.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sec\">\n<div class=\"sec-head\"><span class=\"eyebrow\">Three billing models<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>We choose the model that gives your case the most predictability.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"models\">\n<div class=\"phase\">\n<div class=\"phase-n\">01<\/div>\n<h4>Percentage of the construction cost<\/h4>\n<p>The most common and transparent method \u2014 fees follow the real scale of what is being designed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"phase\">\n<div class=\"phase-n\">02<\/div>\n<h4>Fixed fee<\/h4>\n<p>Agreed upfront from the brief. Full predictability on well-defined projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"phase\">\n<div class=\"phase-n\">03<\/div>\n<h4>Hourly<\/h4>\n<p>For consultancy, technical opinions and small interventions \u2014 typically &#8364;50 to &#8364;150\/hour.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"grid2\">\n<div class=\"grid2-in\">\n<div>\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">The contract<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(25px,3.2vw,36px);margin-top:16px\">Fees pay for a process, not a drawing.<\/h2>\n<p style=\"color:var(--muted);margin-top:16px;max-width:46ch\">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.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color:var(--muted);margin-top:14px;max-width:46ch;font-size:15px\">Always confirm separately: engineering (structure, services, thermal, acoustic), topographic survey, geotechnical study and site supervision \u2014 comparing proposals is only honest when it compares the same scope.<\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"btn\" style=\"margin-top:28px\" href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Request an estimate for my case<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\" style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:6px\">The contracted phases<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"incl\">\n<li><span class=\"k\">01<\/span><span><b>Preliminary study<\/b> \u2014 reading the site, brief and feasibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"k\">02<\/span><span><b>Licensing<\/b> \u2014 design and submission of the council process.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"k\">03<\/span><span><b>Execution design<\/b> \u2014 detailing and coordination of engineering.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"k\">04<\/span><span><b>Technical assistance<\/b> \u2014 ensures what was designed is what gets built.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"color:var(--muted);font-size:14px;margin-top:16px;font-family:var(--sans)\">Phased with the work: a payment on appointment and instalments per completed phase.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sec faq\" style=\"max-width:840px;margin:0 auto\">\n<div class=\"sec-head\"><span class=\"eyebrow\">Frequently asked<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What clients usually ask us.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<details open>\n<summary>Why are there no longer fee tables?<\/summary>\n<p>They were abolished under competition law: each practice sets its own fees freely. Transparency today lives in the contract \u2014 scope, phases, deliverables and the calculation basis in writing.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I contract only the licensing?<\/summary>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Are fees paid all at once?<\/summary>\n<p>No \u2014 they are phased with the work: typically a payment on appointment and instalments per completed phase (preliminary study, licensing, execution, construction).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>And for small remodelling jobs?<\/summary>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sec\">\n<div class=\"final\">\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">Talk to the studio<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Tell us what you want to build.<\/h2>\n<p>Send us the site and the brief. We&#8217;ll come back with an estimate of fees, timelines and scope \u2014 no obligation.<\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"btn\" href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Request a proposal<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Architect&#8217;s fees What a project costs \u2014 and what it gives back. In Portugal, in most cases they fall between 3% and 12% of the estimated construction cost \u2014 and the exact figure depends on complexity, size and the phases contracted. Request a proposal See how it&#8217;s calculated 60+ completed projects 15 years of practice [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4955,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5530","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5530\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tiagorcorreia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}