There are a number of possible answers to this question;
- Architects are not necessarily expensive but there is sometimes uncertainty about what the final cost will be. Ask for a fixed fee quotation. If the scope of the project is clear and the Architect can predict the amount of work involved they may well be able to give you a fixed fee quotation immediately. In other cases they may have to do some work before they know in detail what is involved. This may involve a Feasibility Study to establish how the work can be done - and indeed whether it can be done. Depending on the scope of the study this may itself be on a fixed fee basis or charged on the basis of the time actually spent. My own practise is to give fixed price quotations - where possible - as early as possible.
- The cost of the Architect's fee is a small proportion of the total cost of the works. The cost of the work is a small proportion of the total cost of ownership over the life of the building (rates, energy costs, insurance, repair and maintainance). Good advice and good design could save more over a few years in use than the Architect charged you.
- Expensive compared to what ? See "Why do I need an Architect ?
- Take a look at the Statutory Charges question: the Architect who designs the work should expect to be paid more than the Local Authority who charge to look at the drawings.
and finally ...
"There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person's lawful prey."
(attr. John Ruskin)