"How much does an architectural project cost?" — it's the first question almost every client asks us. And it's a fair one: building a house or an apartment block is a big investment, and budget planning starts with the project. In this article we explain what the price of an architectural project depends on, what it includes, and how to get an exact cost agreed in advance.
Why there's no single fixed price
An architectural project is always individual: a design for a 100 m² house on a flat plot and a house of the same size on a slope, with a complex facade and a basement, take completely different amounts of design work. That's why an honest studio can't name an exact price before the consultation — but it can explain what the price is made of, and give you a fixed quote in writing.
6 factors that determine the price of an architectural project
- The building's floor area and class — the larger the building and the higher its class, the more drawings, calculations and approvals are needed.
- Scope of service — just a concept design, full working drawings, or support with obtaining the permit too.
- Plot specifics — terrain, soil, the K1/K2 coefficients and infrastructure.
- Building complexity — number of floors, a basement, cantilevers, facade materials and details.
- Engineering parts — structural design, geological survey and geodetic survey.
- Timelines — an urgent project needs more resources than one done at a normal pace.
Building class and approval timelines
In Georgia, buildings are divided into classes, and the class directly affects both the scope of the project and the approval timeline:
- Class I — 0–60 m², height up to 5 m. Approval: ~1 week in a municipality, ~1 month in Tbilisi.
- Class II — 60–500 m², height up to 12 m (most private houses). Approval: ~3–4 months.
- Class III — 500–6000 m², height up to 22 m. Timeline is individual.
- Class IV — from 6000 m². Timeline is individual.
What the price of an architectural project includes
Full architectural services include the concept design (layout, massing and appearance with 3D visualisation), the working drawings (detailed architectural drawings), the engineering parts and support with obtaining the building permit. When you compare prices, always check which stages are included in the offer — a "cheap project" is often just a sketch you can't get a permit with.
Architectural services — what's included and what it costs →
How the price is calculated at Asymmetry
At Asymmetry an architectural project costs GEL 10–40 per square metre — for example, a project for a 150 m² house costs about GEL 1,500–6,000. Where it falls in that range depends on the factors above, and it is set like this:
- 1. You send us the cadastral code and the floor area you want (you can also do this with the "Get a quote" form on the site).
- 2. We check the plot's building conditions — what can be built and which class the building will be.
- 3. Together we define the scope of service — the full package or individual stages.
- 4. You get a fixed price and timelines, written into the contract.
How long it takes to prepare a project
The timeline depends on the size and class of the building. On average, the full design documentation for a private house takes 4–8 weeks, plus the approval time. We agree the exact schedule at the very first consultation.
Common mistakes that make a project more expensive
- Buying a plot without checking its building conditions.
- Comparing prices without knowing what each offer includes.
- Giving the architecture, structure and permit to different contractors — the lack of coordination costs time and money.
- Frequently changing the concept once the working drawings have started.
Find out the price of your project
Send us the cadastral code and the floor area you want — the consultation is free, and you'll get a fixed price in advance.
Calculate your architectural project price →Free consultation →