It is important to set a realistic fee before committing to a certain design and especially before starting construction. There are three general categories of fees that you will need to be aware of. The amount and requirements vary, depending on the scope of work of the project. The larger the scope, the more fee it will involve. The three categories are as follows:
City Fees:
Planning Department
Design Review
Building Department Plan Check
Building Permit Fee
Additional Permits as required (Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical) Fee
School District Fee
Fire Department Fee Water
Power Fee Public Works Fee
Professional Services:
The survey
Civil Engineer
Grading and drainage
Civil Engineer
Soil Report Geotechnical Service
Architectural Designer
Landscape and Irrigation
Structure Engineer
Title 24 Engineering
Other Reports and Tests requests by the City Jurisdiction Interior Designer Fee
Construction Fee:
Off-site work:
installation of water services, gas services, sewer line, power line, etc.
On-site work: parking area, landscaping, sprinklers, fences, etc.
Building cost: General Contractor Material and Labor Fee Inspection and testing Structural Observation Material fee for interior finishes (tiles, moldings, floor, etc)
Appliances and fixtures purchases Contingencies: to cover change orders, unforeseen conditions, inflation, etc.
Some of these fees can be determined during Feasibility and Schematic Design Phase, such as for the professional services and Design Review and Plan check fees. Construction fee can be roughly estimated using a unit price, such as $400 per square feet for standard construction, and a minimum of $600 per square feet for high-end luxury home. Construction fee is more clearly defined with a complete Construction Document and clear expectation of what type of Interior finishes that the Homeowner expects.