Draftsman or Architect? What’s the Difference?

Draftsman or Architect– The best path to a successful and affordable residential construction project.

There are many choices to consider when deciding to build a new home or take on an addition or remodeling project.  One important consideration many people overlook is the choice of whether to use an architect or a draftsman when designing their project.  These words have become synonymous to those of us who do not work in the construction industry, we would like to help you understand the differences to help you choose the right professional.

One of the largest differences between an architect and a draftsman is the amount of education and licensure that is required for each profession.  An architect’s educational background usually consists of a degree from a university and requires a minimum of 2 years’ experience.   A draftsman, does not require a degree from a university. Most employers prefer draftsmen with college training, therefore, certificates, diplomas, or associate’s degrees in drafting can be earned from many technical institutes and community colleges. With the extended education, comes a heftier price tag.  So, although you may feel the higher level of certification with an architect is important, there are draftsmen who have many years of experience in both building and drafting who can do an excellent job to value engineering the design of your project with input from your builder.

Architects tend to place high value on aesthetics, usage of space, or showcasing a unique design element in a home or building. These are all important aspects of a build but architects may over design and thus drive up cost unnecessarily.  Draftsmen tend to have a more intimate understanding of what is involved with the build because they work regularly with the builder and are involved in seeing the job into fruition.  At Tice-Hause Design Build, we pride ourselves on working with customers to create a personal and economical “draw to build” experience.

Hiring an independent architect is expensive. Most work on a percentage of project fee, which can easily exceed tens of thousands of dollars on a larger building project. Extra meetings, visits to the site and research of local building codes are all things you are likely to encounter. These issues all lead to additional hourly charges in excess of the base charge. Furthermore, architects often specify items or processes that your builder is either not familiar with or has no existing material supplier for. Seeing this, when the builder bids the plan they will tack on a “safety margin” to cover ‘unforeseeable items’ that they don’t have experience with. The resulting extra costs can add up quickly, taking funds you could have used elsewhere.

Whether you choose an architect or a draftsman for your next build is up to you.  We feel that the best choice with the highest level of value for most residential projects for both remodeling and new construction is to use a builder with a draftsman on their team.

As you go through our design process you, your designer and your builder develop an intimate understanding of your project.  At Tice Hause Design Build your draftsman is there for you throughout your project, at your convenience, with no additional charge.  When questions arise on site, our team knows who to go to for answers quickly and efficiently.

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between an architect and using a design build draftsman, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about your best path forward to develop plans for your new dream home or major renovation.