Building Designers

What’s the difference between an architect, a draftsperson and a building designer?

Architects, drafters and building designers are all able to perform the same job: Draw floor plans for your house. The biggest difference is qualification. An architect would have completed a university degree and have passed an exam to become a registered architect. A draftsperson usually would have gone to TAFE or learned their skills on the job. Building designers are often draftspeople that have gone through an additional process to become licensed and able to use that title.

The work of a building designer usually begins by interpreting your requirements into a sketched floor plan. Once agreed upon, the designer then moves on to the drafting and documentation stage, whereby drawings are submitted to council for approval. Some building designers also take care of contract management – that is, hiring builders, managing materials and labour costs, and advising you about any local council by-laws that may concern your project.

How to find the right building designer for your build or renovation

As with all other professional services for home design and renovation, the best way to choose a building designer is to assess their past work against the style and requirements you have for your individual project.Most states don’t have specific registration processes for building designers, so it’s best that your search is based on past work and referrals. Some industry bodies or professional associations, such as the Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV), offer a list of members, which you can check against bodies such as the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), to gauge their type of work and any registration numbers.

Once you have a shortlist of building designers, engage in face-to-face talks about your brief, to ensure you’re on the same page. To get the most value for your money, you want someone who understands you, agrees with your ideas – in relation to sustainable design, space and function – and has the qualifications and enthusiasm to translate ideas to paper and into a reality.

Find a building designer on Houzz

Look through Photos of house designs to find projects similar to your brief. Then, click through to the professional responsible for your favourite picks, browse their latest projects and read reviews. Once you’ve created a shortlist of building designers, strike up a conversation with each one and you’ll be one step closer to the house of your dreams!