When a company considers its new headquarters or offices, the first question is usually the cost of the design. As with any construction project, the answer is not a fixed figure but a percentage of the construction budget that depends on the scope. We explain what it is made up of and what drives it.
What the design of a headquarters or offices includes
The commission usually covers the layout and architectural design, the detailed design with services (air conditioning, electrical, data, fire protection), the permit and construction supervision. Depending on the case, interior design, furniture and signage are added. Comparing quotes means checking that they all include the same stages.
The fee, as a percentage of the construction budget
Architectural fees are expressed as a percentage of the construction budget. That percentage falls as the budget grows and rises with complexity: an open-plan office is not the same as a corporate headquarters with technical rooms, a high density of services or brand-image requirements. In projects of this type, design and supervision together fall within a single-digit range of the construction budget.
What drives that percentage
- New build or refurbishment of an existing unit or building.
- Level of services (air conditioning, data, security, technical rooms).
- Degree of customisation and brand image.
- Scope: whether it includes interior design, furniture and equipment.
How we approach it at Klic Arquitectos
We work with fixed fees from the preliminary design and a closed construction budget before starting, so that the company can plan its investment with certainty. The partners supervise the works ourselves and control the budget certificate by certificate. We have experience in corporate headquarters and offices, such as the Synergym head office project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fee for an office design calculated on?
On the construction budget (PEM, the material execution budget). It is expressed as a percentage and does not include land, permits, fees or furniture, unless agreed as part of the scope.
Is refurbishing a unit more expensive, as a percentage, than a new build?
Usually yes: adapting an existing space means diagnosing and resolving what is already there, with more uncertainty than starting from scratch.
Is interior design included?
It depends on the commission. It is worth specifying whether the project includes interior design, furniture and equipment, because it affects the scope and the percentage.
Planning your company’s headquarters?
At Klic Arquitectos we design and supervise offices and corporate headquarters in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol with fixed fees. Tell us about it in a first, no-obligation call.
