A small architecture studio designs houses, renovations and small commercial buildings, and prepares the plans needed for building permits. This kit is for PRC-licensed architects; most start from a small studio or a room at home with one or two staff. The money is made on fees set from floor area, billing by milestone, and keeping free revisions to an agreed limit.

This guide walks through what it takes to start a small architecture studio in the Philippines: the capital, the monthly costs, the permits and the first 90 days. The peso figures are sample estimates for a small studio with two staff in Cebu as of October 2026; get your own quotes before you decide.

How much capital you need

The sample comes to about ₱541,950 including one month of fixed costs kept as a cash buffer. It splits into computers (₱241,500), office setup (₱115,000), field tools (₱15,000), permits and dues (₱63,000), launch (₱15,000) and working capital (₱92,450). Other ways to start: solo home-based practice at ₱150,000–₱250,000 and design-and-build office at ₱1 million–₱3 million.

Monthly costs and break-even

Fixed costs in the sample are ₱92,450 a month; the biggest are junior architect (₱26,000), CAD drafter (₱18,200) and studio rent (₱15,000). Each project sold earns about ₱61,125 after its own costs, so the break-even is 1.6 projects a month, and the startup capital comes back by month 11 if sales start slow and build up.

Permits and registration

Register the business name with DTI (or SEC or CDA), then get the barangay business clearance, the Mayor's permit through the city or municipal BPLO, and BIR registration; register with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG once you hire. A small architecture studio also needs: valid PRC licence and ID (architect), professional tax receipt (PTR), good standing with the professional organization and firm registration with the PRC (ask first). Requirements and fees differ by city, so ask each office for its checklist first. DTI Negosyo Centers help for free.

Where to set up

  • Near the city hall, for quick permit filing and follow-ups
  • Close to growing subdivisions and new house lots
  • On a street where clients can park and find you
  • Near tile, hardware and furniture showrooms clients visit

Mistakes to avoid

  • Endless free revisions. Write the number of revision rounds into the proposal and log every change request.
  • Clients who stop paying after getting plans. Bill by milestone and release signed and sealed plans only after the matching payment.
  • Permit delays. Use the city's checklist, check the consultants' plans before filing, and follow up every week.
  • Lost project files. Daily backups to a drive and to the cloud, and a power backup for every computer.

Plan it with the starter kit

The Architecture Studio · Negosyo Starter Kit has every worksheet behind this guide in a 26-page PDF, plus an Excel calculator: type in your own quotes and it works out your capital, break-even, profit and payback month. It costs ₱349 and downloads right after payment.