One of the most common questions I still get today (and for the last 20 years or so!) is "What is the difference between an Architect, a Building Designer, and a Draftsman (or draftsperson)?"
We've already written an article that covers this in detail, but in this article we will look at the bigger, more fundamentally motivated questions that this often stems from, which are:
So many great questions! After reading this article, I know you will be much more confident on your choice moving forward with designing your dream home...
- What does an architect do?
- What does a building designer do?
- Which one is cheaper?
- Which one will listen to our wants and needs more?; and, often the biggest concern...
- Will they design a custom home for us that is over our budget?
So many great questions! After reading this article, I know you will be much more confident on your choice moving forward with designing your dream home...
What is the difference between an Architect, a Building Designer and a Draftsperson?
Architects, Building Designers, and Draftspersons all create plans for construction and council approval, but they differ mainly in their education, licensing, scope of services, and cost, with architects having the most formal education and highest costs, building designers being a more cost-effective and licensed alternative, and draftspeople typically working under architects or designers to finalize plans without needing formal education or licensing.
Understanding the key differences between Architects and Building Designers:
- Education - An architect will have usually completed a Bachelor Degree at university, and a building designer will have usually completed a Diploma or higher with a state-sponsored or private training company.
- Licensing - An architect (in Australia) is registered and licensed through the Board of Architects Australia, and a Building Designer is usually licensed through their state building authority (such as the QBCC in Queensland, or the VBA in Victoria.) In some states, building designers are not required to be licensed.
- Design Approach and Style - Architects may focus on higher budget, unique residential and commercial building designs. A Building Designer is often engaged where practical, cost-effective solutions are required (from small to large budgets) with a high degree of focus on functionality and client needs.
- Cost and Budget Considerations -
- Architects are usually more expensive due to their university training in architectural design. However, it would be a mistake to think that architects only do expensive projects, as many architects (especially when just starting out) may be engaged for reasonable fees. That point acknowledged, architects often prefer to be involved in projects down to the very last detail of the design and construction process, there can be ongoing engagement fees until the build is complete.
- Building Designers can often offer a more budget-friendly, high-value option, especially if you are clear on your own vision for your project. However, it would be a mistake to think that building designers only do simple projects. One quick Instagram search of #buildingdesigner will show you that the field of building design encompasses some truly unique, special, and high-budget projects in both residential and commercial sectors.
- Architects are usually more expensive due to their university training in architectural design. However, it would be a mistake to think that architects only do expensive projects, as many architects (especially when just starting out) may be engaged for reasonable fees. That point acknowledged, architects often prefer to be involved in projects down to the very last detail of the design and construction process, there can be ongoing engagement fees until the build is complete.
When to choose an Architect
An architect is often ideal for highly complex projects, super-high-end home or commercial building designs, giant multi-residential projects or when someone wants to say their home has been 'architecturally designed'.
An architect's power and strength is not just in bringing unique and artistic license to the building design, they also come into their own when a high level of coordination and project management with the many various consultants (and even engaging and managing the builder themselves) is desired by the client.
Architects may be engaged for smaller residential projects (under $500k), and many architects love this sector. However, the fee to value proposition (sometimes up to 10% of the build cost or higher) is sometimes harder to justify on these smaller projects, and for the architect to feel they are being adequately compensated in the value exchange between client and architect.
An architect's power and strength is not just in bringing unique and artistic license to the building design, they also come into their own when a high level of coordination and project management with the many various consultants (and even engaging and managing the builder themselves) is desired by the client.
Architects may be engaged for smaller residential projects (under $500k), and many architects love this sector. However, the fee to value proposition (sometimes up to 10% of the build cost or higher) is sometimes harder to justify on these smaller projects, and for the architect to feel they are being adequately compensated in the value exchange between client and architect.
When to choose a Building Designer
A Building Designer is often ideal when engaged as a specialist in the residential sector (new homes and renovations) where the design scope is often quite clear, where some artistic license is welcome, but where the project priorities are often driven by functionality, good design, and cost-effectiveness. Many building designers also handle commerical projects (even highly complex one), but there are many more building designers in the industry that focus their attention on home design.
Building designers may also offer the coordination of other consultants involved in the project (engineers, town planners, builders etc.) as we do, but many prefer to stay 'out of the middle' between the client and those consultants. So, if a client wants to coordinate all of the consultants in the project themselves, they will often choose a building designer. We recommend asking about this particular service offering when considering a building designer for your project.
Building designers can be perfect for clients looking for a more personalised, approachable design process that delivers a very strong fee to value proposition for most projects. Often with design fees being anywhere between 1-5% of the project build cost. If you are interested in what your project building fees might look like, feel free to contact us for a free project fee proposal (click here).
Building designers may also offer the coordination of other consultants involved in the project (engineers, town planners, builders etc.) as we do, but many prefer to stay 'out of the middle' between the client and those consultants. So, if a client wants to coordinate all of the consultants in the project themselves, they will often choose a building designer. We recommend asking about this particular service offering when considering a building designer for your project.
Building designers can be perfect for clients looking for a more personalised, approachable design process that delivers a very strong fee to value proposition for most projects. Often with design fees being anywhere between 1-5% of the project build cost. If you are interested in what your project building fees might look like, feel free to contact us for a free project fee proposal (click here).
Conclusion
In summary, Architects and Building Designers differ in a few ways, but both produce building plans for construction and council approval. They also differ in their tertiary education requirements and licensing, design approach and style, project management and service offerings, as well as cost.
Whether an architect or building designer is right for you will come down to two main factors:
We hope you feel more informed about the differences between an architect and a building designer. If you have more questions, read our other articles on this subject, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about this subject or the services we offer as Building Designers in Brisbane.
Whether an architect or building designer is right for you will come down to two main factors:
- What your project is (including its budget), and
- What services you require from the architect or building designer.
We hope you feel more informed about the differences between an architect and a building designer. If you have more questions, read our other articles on this subject, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about this subject or the services we offer as Building Designers in Brisbane.
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