A house addition and a tenant improvement are both “architecture,” but quote packages differ. Matching expectations to project type prevents sticker shock and incomplete proposals.
Residential quote patterns
Often phased design fees tied to custom decision-making, site constraints, and family stakeholders. Schedules flex around life events.
Commercial quote patterns
Landlord rules, open dates, MEP intensity, and accessibility/fire code drive effort. Speed premiums are common.
What to include in either brief
- Occupancy / project type
- Address and existing drawings availability
- Budget band
- Hard deadlines
- Known consultants or brand standards
Comparing proposals fairly
Normalize consultant inclusion and meeting counts. Commercial proposals missing MEP coordination are incomplete.