Draftsman vs Architect: Who Should You Hire?

You have decided on building your home from scratch, and you want to design your home according to your imagination. So, you took advice from your neighborhood who recently built their home and asked them should I hire a draftsman or architect? What would be the best choice between draftsman vs architect? They’ve answered your question, but now you are confused because, according to them, architects and draftsmen are the same!

Although, they are not the same and here’s why!

Architects and draftsmen usually play crucial and similar roles in the Australian construction Industry. Both make designs, and they both can work on construction projects. But, these two job roles have different responsibilities, educational backgrounds, skills and experience.

To make you understand the difference between architect vs draftsman, we’ve curated a guide below that helps you make an informed decision when you are building your dream project.

Let’s begin!

Who is a Draftsman?

A drafter or draftsperson is a professional who is proficient in producing computer-aided designs (CAD) and creating drawings. Draftsman usually specialises in mechanical systems, architecture, civil engineering, or various materials like concrete, steel, or electrical circuits.

Further, the draftsman’s job is to prepare the technical designs, and they may also prepare the technical drawings for the manufacturing sector as well. There is no licensing requirement, but the optional certification program does exist for the drafters. The responsibilities and roles of a draftsman vary from one job to another.

Who is an Architect?

Architects are the most licensed and experienced group in the construction industry. Architect person requires a university degree, and they do need to pass the licensing exams, which is a 3 part examination, includes a minimum of 2 years of industry work experience, a written exam and a board interview by the Architect Registration Board. On top of that, architects need to get the re-licensing each year constantly. This depicts that they have to build the cost of their education into their own rates.

Besides, performance criteria must be followed if somebody wants to become an Architect. Basically, performance criteria define the discrete aspects of the architectural practices and are organised under the Competency Unit. Every unit has an interrelated set of criteria for each of the three competency profiles.

The three competency profiles that individuals need to pass to become Architects:

• On graduation from an architecture program
• At the point of registration
• Post-registration

Moreover, when architects work with the building designers, they can perform all the operations of the draftsman. They can design plans provide valuable input on the design process and materials along with their necessary skills that draftsperson may not have.

Architects can give their clients the output exactly what their clients have imagined in their minds and make sure that it looks good while staying on the budget.

Let’s know more!

Draftsman vs Architect: Key Differences

Here are a few of the main differences between the architect and draftsman which you should know:

Key Difference 1: Education/Qualification

One of the significant differences between the draftsman and architect is their educational background.

An architect should complete an undergraduate program/university degree (generally of three years) along with two years master’s degree. After education completion, the graduate architect needs to finish a minimum of 2 years of practical experience so he/she can register as an architect in Victoria, Australia and then be granted a license to practice architecture.

In contrast, a draftsman only needs to complete the Training and Further Education (TAFE) Australia or maybe a similar course that will teach them CAD design. Also, the study to become a draftsman is not as tough as the architecture degree and the minimum time to become a professional drafter is two-four years.

Key Difference 2: Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI)

Professional Indemnity Insurance is created to defend against claims that allege if you’ve breached your professional duties. This insurance cover is important for the draftsmen and architects as it covers some of the financial compensation and legal costs which you need to pay if the client has sued your services.

Key Difference 3: Skillset

Architects and draftsmen have many common construction design skills as draftsmen are brilliant at CAD, while the architects are brilliant at coming up with the design concepts to create some of the most awe-inspiring structures and buildings that are iconic.

Moreover, architects vs. draftsmen have different design approaches, like drafters take the form of the best technical blueprints. In contrast, architects often spend more time thinking creatively and coming up with ideas.

What Can An Architect Do But A Draftsman Cannot?

So far, we can say that architects have greater responsibility, and they are generally able to cope with complex designs than a draftsman. An architect might be involved in the project from start to finish and help their clients out in anything from planning to design and documentation to project management and contract administration. This article talks about the top 10 benefits of hiring an architect for profitable property development.

Speaking of Contract Administration, it is the fairest contract in Australia (Documented by Master Builder and Australian Institute of Architects) can only be administered by an Architect to make sure both the builder and the owner are treated fairly to avoid dispute and unnecessary negotiations.

Draftsman, on the other hand, creates drawings for every type of construction project, no matter if they are a brand new build or remodeling. When they work with their clients, they create precise and clear drafts for the builders.

Draftsman vs Architect Cost

Architects are generally a little more expensive than the draftsperson or building designer. The reason is simple: architects have extensive tertiary training and different legal requirements. For instance, if you want to remodel your home, architects are like a high-end fashion designer for your home, and you can expect an expertly designed home from them.

The cost of draftsman vs. architect varies in the different states, but usually, the draftsmen charge around $20 to $40 per square metre, while architects’ fees depend on the complexity, type and size of the project. For instance, if you need only the house plans, it will cost around 5% to 6% of total construction costs, and if you are opting for the full service, they are starting from 8% to 15%. Unlike other architects, SQM Architects only charge a competitive fixed fee for the architecture projects, not by the % of the project.

Final Verdict – Should You Hire Draftsman or Architect, and Why?

So, should I hire architect or draftsman? To summarise, architects can turn a blank canvas into a grand design concept while the draftsman can turn your imagination into documentation that then you need to build. If you are into constructing/remodeling your project professionally, then you should hire an architect as they have extensive experience and are being trained professionally.

At the end of the day, what is really important is you always get the quality project which you ask the professionals to do.

SQM Architects are professional architects and offer quality and professional services in Victoria, Australia. We offer architectural services specialising in residential, commercial and mixed-use projects, focusing on innovative design solutions for affordable housing.

Contact us today for a free consultation.