How much an architect costs for a home renovation: fees, stages and comparing quotes
Percentage of the works, fixed fee or hourly: how an architect's fee for a home renovation is calculated in Italy and how to compare quotes.
By Martina Pozzi, architect in Bergamo
In Italy, an architect for a home renovation usually costs between 5% and 15% of the building cost, with 7–12% typical for a full apartment renovation, according to industry guides consulted in October 2026. Alternatively the fee can be fixed, split into stages, or hourly for consultations. Fees are unregulated: each professional calculates them differently, which is exactly why quotes are hard to compare.
In this guide I explain how fees are calculated, what you pay for at each stage, whether you can hire an architect for just part of the job and how to compare two quotes.
How an architect's renovation fee is calculated
Since 2012 Italy has had no minimum professional tariffs: fees are agreed freely with the client. Ministerial Decree 140/2012 sets parameters, but they mainly serve as a reference when a court has to settle a fee, not as a price list. In practice there are three methods:
| Method | How it works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of the works | A share of the building cost, usually 5–15% | Scales with the size of the job | You only know the final cost once the works are quoted |
| Fixed fee | A set amount, often split into stages | You know from the start what you'll spend | Each stage's scope must be clearly defined |
| Hourly | An hourly rate, usually €50–150 | Suits consultations and short jobs | Hard to predict on a long project |
Sources: Spazi Belli, Vitae Studio, CalcolaParcella, October 2026. As an example, for €50,000 of works the same sources give a fee of €2,500–5,000.
What you pay for: the stages of the work
A fee isn't an abstract number: behind it are specific stages, each with something tangible you receive.
- Survey and checks. Measurements and photos of every room, 2D drawings of the current state and, if needed, a request for the municipal records to check the home is compliant.
- Design. Concept (layout and furnished plans), developed design (style, materials and colour moodboard, 3D views) and technical design (detailed drawings for tendering, drawings for bespoke furniture).
- Design supervision. Bill of quantities, finding and comparing contractors, choosing materials and finishes, checking the aesthetic result on site.
- Site supervision. Schedule, site visits and meetings, checking progress valuations before each payment.
- Permits and land registry. Building permit filed with the municipality under the signing professional's responsibility, completion notice and land registry update.
To get an idea of what the works themselves might cost, I've written a guide to renovation costs in Bergamo.
Can you hire an architect for just part of the job?
Yes, and it often makes sense. You can ask for:
- just the design, if you already have a trusted contractor and want to manage the site yourself;
- just the permits, if the design is simple but you need a professional to sign;
- just design supervision, if you want someone to choose materials and finishes with you and check the aesthetic result.
In my work each stage can be hired on its own: many clients start with the design and decide later whether to continue with site supervision.
Is the fee tax-deductible?
In Italy, when the works qualify for a building tax incentive, the related professional fees (design, site supervision, permits) usually follow the same deduction. Rates, caps and requirements change almost every year, though: check the rules in force in the year of the works and ask for the invoice to describe the services correctly. When I supervise a site, I help set up invoices and paperwork.
How to compare two architects' quotes
Two quotes with different figures often describe different work. Before choosing, check:
- which stages are included and which aren't;
- how many site visits are planned;
- what you actually receive: drawings, 3D views, bill of quantities, bespoke furniture drawings;
- which costs are extra: municipal fees, land registry, any structural engineering;
- whether the professional is registered and has professional indemnity insurance.
When it's worth it (and when it isn't)
An architect is worth it when you change the layout, replace the services, need permits or want a result designed down to the detail: a good design avoids mistakes that cost far more than the fee. If you only want to repaint or choose new furniture, a 60-minute consultation or a restyling is enough.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay everything up front?
Usually not: the fee is split into payments tied to the stages of the work.
Architect or surveyor (geometra)?
In Italy, for many apartment works both can sign the permits. The difference is training: an architect is trained to design spaces, light and interiors as well as the technical side.
I compare architects, geometri, turnkey contractors and interior designers in the guide on how to choose an architect.
Does an interior architect cost more?
Not necessarily: it depends on the scope. An interior design with lots of bespoke furniture needs more drawings and time than one using catalogue furniture.
Want a quote for your home? Tell me about your project via the contact form, or see how I work on apartment renovation in Bergamo.