Which person do I get for my job? Architect, draftsperson or a building designer?
Are you taking your first tentative steps into the world of home design and building? Are you planning to build off-grid, or prefer a design off the plan, or perhaps remodelling your current home? Who do you get to draw out the plans and help you design your building job before finding someone to build it? We will help you answer this very mystery.. but very common question!
Architect, draftsperson, building designer – they all do the same thing, right? Isn’t a building designer the same thing as an architect? And a building designer just a fancy title for a draftsperson? Well, their skills and services vary a lot and their cost of service can too! So let’s ensure you hire the right person for your job so you aren’t paying more than you need to and have the right person who can step you through the whole process.
What is a draftsperson?
A draftsperson, or ‘drafty’ as they are often referred to in the trade, is usually qualified in creating and generating building blueprints and designs. They focus on documentation and delivery of plans. They should have been trained by a tertiary education provider and are specialists in their field.
The majority of people who work as draftspersons, don’t involve themselves in the design aspect of building plans, rather they focus on the drawing of plans which will be provided to whoever is building the deck, home or commercial space.
Compared to architects and building designers, draftspersons are not legally required to hold a license or certification, which means you could be self-taught and run a drafting service.
What about an architect, what do they do?
Architects are required to have a university degree and pass a licensing exam – this is the main reason they are the most expensive service to hire of the three. Architects are also required to get re-licensed each year which means they need to pass on the costs of this education and licensing in their rates.
Architects, as with building designers, offer all the skills and services that a draft person does. Architects also draw up plans, give valuable input in the design materials and process, and deliver accurate documentation. However, the biggest difference between an architect (and building designer) to a draftsperson is that they can offer specialist design knowledge and can make informed decisions when it comes to improving a building design, its form, sustainability and energy footprint. Architects draw from what the client needs and desires for a design, their budget and the construction requirements and bring it all together.
Ok, so what does a building designer do then?
Many building designers start their careers as draftspersons and then later acquire the necessary licenses to operate as building designers. Building designers are a hybrid between a draftsperson and an architect. They have accomplished further training and licensing compared with a draftsperson, but typically don’t carry the same hefty price tag as an architect. A building designer can effectively carry out the same tasks (delivery, documentation, and design) in a cost-effective way compared to an architect. Building Designers must individually qualify to work on residential homes, office buildings and apartment buildings which gives them an extra layer of accountability and credibility.
Building designers are very experienced and qualified in assisting with the beginning stages of the construction process. Because of their extra experience and education, they can offer valuable insight into materials, use, and even help you find contractors and construction companies.
To keep it simple, the biggest difference between a draftsperson, a building designer, and an architect is knowledge, experience, and cost. Here at Belco Group our team are all qualified building designers, certified Passive Home Designers or Thermal Assessors and we can assist with drafting requirements too.
So who do I hire?
If your project is relatively small, like a backyard deck, it’s usually best to use a draftsperson or a building designer. For larger projects, like a new home build or a home renovation, use either a building designer or an architect. For complex commercial sites, most people would hire an architect.
This is a good time to talk about the budget. Generally speaking, an architect is more expensive to hire than a draftsperson or a building designer. A draftsperson is usually the cheapest, building designers second tier and architects the most expensive.
Just a heads up
Depending on where you live and the type of construction you are doing, you may be legally required to hire at least a building designer for the construction. So google and check your local construction codes and laws before starting any major project to avoid any legal issues before you even start!