To the uninitiated, it’s widely considered that an architect is the one who designs the plans for a new house build. And while this is true for many properties - the majority of residential homes built in Australia today are designed by building designers, not necessarily architects.

According to the Building Designers Association of Australia, an estimated 75-80% of residential work is serviced by building designers. So, in short - no, you do not need an architect to build a new house.

Designing & building a new home: Your designer options

Architects

Architects are licensed professionals who have attained a university degree and have varying years of experience in the field of architecture and building design. Architects are registered with a relevant state or national association as proof of their capability and achievement and can handle both residential and commercial building projects of all sizes.  

Building designers

Sometimes referred to as draftsmen, a building designer is not necessarily required to have a degree in building design or architecture. What they lack in formal education, however, building designers make up for in terms of practical experience — many building designers often have years or even decades of experience in residential construction. Building designers usually work on standard residential home builds.

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

Architects and building designers will differ in terms of the scope and level of service offered, but the differences don’t end there.

It can be more expensive to work with an architect than a building designer — the cost of engaging an architect can be as high as 7-10% of the build cost. In contrast, a building designer can cost about 3-5% of the new home build costs. 

Building designers also often work more closely with the builders themselves, which make the process easier, more cohesive, and more streamlined in terms of building and material costs. Architects focus on the design aspects of the home and instead outsource the building work to contractors through a bidding process.

When to use an architect for a home build 

An architect is more suited to more complex projects - residential and commercial. An architect may be valuable in understanding the feasibility of the project if the landscape is not a standard block, or if you are looking at creating a property that is more complicated than a standard home design.  

In some states, architects are required for home builds that are three storeys or higher to ensure that the resulting property is structurally sound.

When to use a building designer for a home build

Building designers are the practical choice for those who want a standard-sized home build that meets their needs. Building designers work primarily on residential builds, meaning that they have the expertise and experience to create contemporary new homes — with a cost-effective approach.

To make the cost of a home build even more economical for clients, building designers also work with builders to create a selection of premade home designs that clients can choose from based on their space and layout preferences.

At Keir Constructions, we work with building designers within our team to create high quality home designs in Townsville for those looking to buy or build. Whether you’re looking to build your first home in Townsville, or are considering a home build as an investment, we’re the trusted builders in the North QLD region that you can depend on to make your dream home a reality.