Should I use an architect or a draftsperson?

Five to six years of study versus an eight-week TAFE course: who would you prefer to design your dream home?

Let’s take a look at the differences between an architect and a draftsman!

Architect vs draftsman?

It’s a question as old as the building game itself, but it’s easier to answer than you might think. The use of the title architect is strictly regulated right across Australia.

To register as an architect in NSW, you’ll first need to graduate from a five-year degree in architecture. Then you’ll need to complete a period of practical experience and pass an exam set by the NSW Architects Registration Board.

In contrast, a draftsperson doesn’t need to obtain any qualifications or credentials.

While some will have studied a Diploma of Building Design or similar course, others will have completed nothing more than an eight-week CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) course. Their key role is to produce technical drawings for new construction projects and they are often hired by architects for this purpose.

Why should I use an architect?

Our homes are our castles – they reflect our lifestyle and our personality.

And they’re usually our biggest and most expensive asset!

It seems like common sense to trust the design and creation of our home to someone with the qualifications and experience to do an amazing job.

National architects advisory service Archicentre Australia says home builders who bypass the quality design services provided by architects are missing out.

Archicentre believes architects can:

• create a home that results in an enjoyable, healthy and comfortable long-term living environment
• consider in detail site orientation, people circulation within the home, energy efficiency and sustainability
• work with you to stay within your budget

An architect can inject the “wow” factor into your home, creating a bespoke design that is both beautiful and functional.

Architects also understand:

• building codes
• engineering requirements
• how to work with certifiers
• contract administration
• how to oversee your project from concept to completion

According to Archicentre director Peter Georgiev, engaging an architect should be the first step in any residential building project.

“This means finding an architect who will take the time to facilitate even the smallest project in a thorough manner – something that many building designers and draftspeople are not capable of doing,” he says.

How to avoid cost blow-outs on your building project

Having good working drawings and specifications is key to controlling costs on a residential building project. Thorough architectural plans allow you to “compare apples with apples” when your project goes out for tender.

“Detailed drawings will help you obtain accurate price comparisons and quality comparisons from a number of builders,” Georgiev says.

They also create more certainty about scope in the building contract.

“With vague working drawings, a contractor may claim, for example, that the standard of materials you expected are not shown on the drawings, and what you are now asking for are ‘variations’ which will cost more,” he says.

The exceptionally high level of detail provided in good architectural plans goes a long way to avoiding surprise expenses on your project.

It also provides a clear visual representation of the building you have commissioned, from the floorplan and window placements to the plumbing, electrical and engineering requirements, to the finer details of your bathroom fixtures and wardrobe fitouts.

BIC Construction loves working with architects

At BIC Construction we are all about architectural builds, that’s what we specialise in.

As a builder, we would much rather have clear and concise plans to keep the entire process upfront and open.

Detailed plans make it clear to all parties involved:

• what is being built
• how it will be built
• what the costs will be
• what the expectations are of all concerned.

In our opinion a draftsman is fine for a small or basic build/extension but for anything of a larger scale an architect will deliver a superior design and a better result for our clients.

If you’d like to talk to us about your building project, you can call us on 028378 9122 or email us on info@bicconstruction.com.au Web:www.bicconstruction.com.au Image credit:Danny Broe Architecture