Architectural design prices in Jordan: how architect fees are calculated and what they include
There is no single price for designing a villa or a building, because fees depend on built area, scope and the number of revisions. This page explains how I calculate fees so you can compare any quote clearly.
3 ways architectural design fees are calculated
- 01
Per square metre of built area
The most common model for villas and apartment buildings. The rate per metre depends on the package (plans only, plans with facades and visualization, or a full construction set) and falls gradually as the area grows.
- 02
Lump sum per project
Suits small, well-defined projects: an apartment modification, a facade, a consultation or a garden. You know the final figure before starting.
- 03
Percentage of construction cost
Used for large, commercial and industrial projects and for supervision contracts. The Jordan Engineers Association sets a minimum fee on this basis.
Design packages and what each includes
Preliminary design
- Plot and zoning study
- Layouts for every floor
- Two review rounds
- Early 3D massing
For approving the idea before committing to the full set
Full design
- Everything in preliminary
- Four elevations and materials
- Day and night exterior visualization
- Sections and site plan
The usual package for villas and buildings
Construction set
- Everything in full design
- Construction drawings and details
- Door and window schedules
- Coordination with structural and MEP
- Permit file in coordination with a licensed engineering office
For owners about to build who need a set contractors can price
What raises the fee
- Classic style with many details
- Very small area (minimum fee applies)
- Interior visualization of several spaces or a walkthrough
- Extra revisions after layout approval
- Interior and kitchen design inside the package
- A distant site that needs more than one visit
What lowers the fee
- Large built area
- Modern style with fewer details
- Clear decisions and references from the start
- Plans-only package without visualization
Villa design cost in Amman compared with an apartment building or a commercial building
A villa needs more design time per square metre because every space is tailored to the family, while an apartment building repeats a typical unit across floors so the cost per metre falls. A commercial building sits between the two but needs more coordination with safety and parking requirements.
That is why I price on the actual built area (all floors including basement and roof) rather than the plot, and I split the quote by package so you can choose what you need now and add the rest later.
Why quotes differ from one architect to another
The difference is usually in what the quote covers, not in the price itself: are all four elevations included or one? Is visualization inside the price? How many revisions? Are construction drawings detailed or permit drawings only? Is coordination with the structural engineer included?
Ask every architect for the same list of deliverables, then compare. An incomplete set costs more during construction than it saved at the design stage.
How to get a written quote within one working day
Send the project type, the area, the approximate plot or built area and the style you prefer by WhatsApp or the contact form. The first needs session is free, and after it I send a written quote that fixes the package, deliverables, timeline and payment schedule. Payments follow the stages: at signing, at approval of the preliminary layout, and at delivery of the set.
Frequently asked questions
Do you quote before visiting the site?
Yes, a preliminary quote based on area and project type, confirmed after the site visit or a review of the land survey.
Do I pay the full fee upfront?
No. Payments are split by stage: at signing, at approval of the preliminary layout, and at delivery of the final set.
Is 3D visualization included in the price?
In the full design and construction set packages, exterior visualization is included. Interior visualization is added per space.
Is apartment design cheaper than a villa?
Usually yes, because the area is smaller and there are no exterior facades. Modifying an existing apartment is often a lump sum.
Are permit fees included?
Design fees are one thing; municipality fees and the licensed engineering office are a separate item stated in the quote.
Related services
Villa design
A good villa starts with the plot itself: sun direction, views, setbacks and the building ratio your zone allows. I design the villa from the first sketch to the construction drawings, with studied facades and 3D visualization you can see before construction starts.
Read moreResidential building design
The number of apartments in a residential building is decided by the zoning, the building ratio and the setbacks of your plot, not by the drawing. I design apartment buildings from the zoning study to the construction drawings: unit layouts, parking, the stair and elevator core, and a facade that raises the value of the units when they are sold or rented.
Read moreQuantity take-off and cost estimation
The question everyone who wants to build asks first is: how much will it cost? The honest answer does not come from a rate per square meter but from measuring the quantities off the drawings themselves. I prepare the bill of quantities and a stage by stage cost estimate for villas and apartment buildings in Jordan, so you can compare contractor quotes on one basis and reduce variations after signing.
Read moreArchitectural consultation
Not every need calls for a full design. Sometimes it is enough for an architect to review the plot before you buy it, the apartment plan before you pay the deposit, or the contractor's plan before you sign the contract. I offer an architectural consultation in a single session, online or with a site visit anywhere in Jordan, ending with written notes and a sketch.
Read moreStart your project with a free needs session
Send the project type, area and approximate size on WhatsApp or through the form, and I reply within one working day with a written quote.