· Kilta Mimarlık
"What's your price per square metre?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer: there isn't one number. But once you know what drives the fee, you can read quotes properly.
1. The basis: the building's approximate cost
In Turkey, the minimum fee for architecture and engineering services is calculated from the building's approximate construction cost, which is roughly:
Building area (m²) × that year's unit cost (TL/m²)
Unit costs are set each year by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change in its "Approximate Unit Construction Costs" communiqué. The 2026 values were published in the Official Gazette in February 2026. The communiqué sorts buildings into classes and groups, so two buildings of the same size can have very different unit costs if their classes differ.
2. Why the building class matters so much
A simple storage building and a multi-storey villa with views and detailed finishes are not in the same class. A building's use, complexity and equipment decide its class, and the class changes both the unit cost and the fee rate. That's why "what's your price per m² for a villa?" can't be answered without knowing the villa's size and character.
3. The Chamber of Architects' minimum fee
The Chamber of Architects publishes the rules for calculating the minimum fee for architectural services, based on the approximate cost and the building class. This is a floor: depending on the scope, the difficulty of the project and the studio's experience, an actual quote can be higher. For the current rules and coefficients, check with the Chamber of Architects or its local branch.
4. Scope of service: which stages are included?
An architectural project isn't one drawing but a series of stages. Which ones a quote covers changes the price directly:
- Preliminary work and concept: zoning analysis, brief, first layout decisions
- Preliminary design: plans, sections, elevations and 3D presentation
- Permit drawings: the regulation-compliant set submitted to the municipality
- Construction drawings: scaled, detailed drawings for use on site
- Details: stairs, windows and doors, bathrooms, facade details
- Site supervision: checking that the work is built as designed
We describe the stages in the architectural design process and what is a permit project?
5. What the architectural fee doesn't include
When budgeting, allow separately for:
- Engineering drawings: structural, mechanical and electrical drawings are prepared and charged by the relevant engineers.
- Soil survey and site survey map
- Municipal fees and permit costs
- Building inspection fee
- Landscape and interior design, where needed
6. Things that widen the scope in Bodrum
- Protected (sit) area: an extra file and process for the Conservation Board. Conservation Board guide
- Plots near the sea: the shoreline boundary and no-build strip must be worked into the design. Coastal Law guide
- Sloping land: levels, retaining walls and floor arrangement take more work.
- Agricultural land: whether building is possible at all must be settled first. Agricultural land guide
7. How to get a proper quote
- Have the plot's block/parcel number and zoning certificate ready.
- Write down roughly what you need: rooms, floors, pool, garden, approximate m².
- Ask in writing which stages and which drawings are included.
- Ask about revisions, the schedule and the payment plan.
- Compare quotes on the same scope: 10 questions to ask when choosing an architect in Bodrum
Frequently asked questions
What is the price per m² for architectural design in 2026?
There isn't a single price per m². The fee depends on the building class, area, that year's unit construction cost and the scope of service. The Chamber of Architects' minimum fee gives a floor; the exact amount is set in a written quote once the plot and scope are known.
Are structural and electrical drawings included in the architect's fee?
Usually not. Structural, mechanical and electrical drawings are prepared and charged separately by the relevant engineers. The quote should state in writing which are included.
Are municipal fees and building inspection included?
No. Permit fees, the building inspection fee and the soil survey are separate from the architectural fee.
Is anything in Bodrum likely to increase the fee?
Extra work such as a Conservation Board file in protected areas, additional checks on seaside plots, or levels and retaining walls on sloping land can widen the scope and therefore the fee.
Send us the plot details and what you need; we'll set out the scope and fee item by item. The first consultation is free.
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Sources (in Turkish)
- 2026 Approximate Unit Construction Costs (Official Gazette, February 2026)
- Chamber of Architects of Turkey (TMMOB Mimarlar Odası)
This article is for general information and does not replace the official fee rules. For current unit costs and minimum fee rules, see the Ministry communiqué and the Chamber of Architects. Information compiled as of 25 October 2026.