Why I charge for Architectural Consultations (and why I believe more Architects should)
Your home is likely your biggest asset — emotionally, financially, and practically. When you’re thinking about changing it, whether through an extension, renovation or reconfiguration, it’s a big decision that deserves time, thought, and professional care from the very beginning.
That’s why I charge for initial consultations.
Not because I don’t want to speak with potential clients — quite the opposite — but because I believe those first conversations are too important to be rushed or treated as a quick sales pitch.
Here’s what changed:
In the early years of MDA Studio, I offered free consultations — as many architects still do. But over time, I realised that this model wasn’t serving either me or the people I was speaking with.
There was a point where I was doing up to 15 consultations a week.
That’s 15 site visits, conversations, follow-up notes, and often informal advice — all given freely, and all consuming time and resources I could have been investing into current clients and better project planning.
The result?
I couldn’t give those meetings the attention they deserved. It became clear that something had to change — for the sake of the business and the quality of service I want to offer.
What’s different now?
By charging a small fee for the consultation — which is later deducted from your design fee should the project proceed — we’re able to treat that first meeting as exactly what it is: a valuable piece of professional advice, tailored to your home, your goals, and your budget.
It also means I can prepare properly, visit you with full focus, and provide honest, informed guidance — not just the basics.
We cover a lot:
Feasibility of your ideas
Planning and warrant considerations
Likely costs and timescales
Design potential of your space
What the design and build process looks like
Next steps tailored to you
And because we’ve both made a small investment into the conversation, it sets the tone for a more collaborative, considered process from day one.
This isn’t about filtering people out — it’s about giving people more.
Some may see it as a way to avoid time-wasters — and while that’s a side effect, it’s not the main reason. The truth is, the clients I work best with are those who value the design process and want to get it right.
By charging for consultations, I can offer better insight, better outcomes, and ultimately better homes.
If you’re thinking about a project and want some clear, honest guidance on what’s possible, I’d love to help. The consultation is your first step — and it’s one worth taking with care.