Draftsmen vs Designer

ktotherose · May 22, 2012 5:01 pm

We are currently in the process of finding / choosing a designer for our house.

The question has come up whether we use a draftsman (cheaper option) or a sustainable designer to do the working drawings. We have met with a few designers and really like their work but are struggling to justify the cost (20k+). We were toying with the idea of using the designer to do the concept and visualisation, but then getting a sustainable draftsman (if they exist) to do the working drawings.

What are peoples thoughts on this? and what have other people done in the past?

By the way our house needs to be designed for BAL FZ, so we want to make sure we use designers / drafstman who have dealt with that before. We are in the Yarra Valley.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Rose.

SunshineT · May 22, 2012 6:50 pm

Hi there. We were in a similar position to you and wanted to build as sustainably as possible but couldn't afford full blown architect route. What we did was pay an architect who has environmental design experience to prepare concept drawings. We paid $3,300 for this and the best money ever spent (including first drawings with two options comprising house on site, floor plans and elevations; then revisions to a second set of drawings, plus he researched the setbacks and Council requirements). We then took these hand drawings (which we still look at fondly) to the planning company linked with a project home company which we thought we were going to sign with. We have ended up going with a small custom home builder, but in terms of first steps I would absolutely recommend getting the concepts drawn up by architect / designers specialists you like but then look to taking it from there. Key might be copyright, so you need to negotiate that you will keep ownership. For us we had a pretty developed concept which we took to the architect. Good luck!

ps: OUr house was also in a Bush Fire buffer zone, but just BAL 12.5 (level 1), not Flame Zone.

sceen7 · May 22, 2012 8:18 pm

If I had my time over...definately and architect, a good one. I designed our extension, after we tried several builder/draftsmen options. I guess we just never found a creative enough designer with an eye towards green/efficent design. In the end we finished up with a good product, but there are several things I would change now, things a good architect would have picked up from the beginning. Yes they are expensive, but I think they pay for themselves over the life of the build.

ktotherose · May 23, 2012 9:11 am

Thanks for the tips. Some great ones.

Any one in Melbourne know of a good draftsmen?

ktotherose · May 24, 2012 12:37 pm

It seems finding a good draftsmen with sustainability in mind is difficult! Maybe there is a niche in the market...

SunshineT · May 24, 2012 3:50 pm

Sorry I don't know anyone in Melbourne. If you want someone in Sydney (if you get desperate and want to work remotely let me know.... but thinking about not really ideal as you want them to come to your site).

bmorayc · May 26, 2012 10:14 am

Hi, I am Architectural Draftsmen/Designer with over 8 years experience.
I am based in Melbourne and have residential, retail, hospitality experience. I will work with you to make sure you get the best design for your needs at a low cost.

Happy to show you through my portfolio of work.

Kind Regards,
Blair Moray-Cook

theanonyuser · May 27, 2012 12:24 pm

ktotherose

Thanks for the tips. Some great ones.

Any one in Melbourne know of a good draftsmen?

I was happy with my draftsman, see my plans on my blog. All custom designed

iain111 · Jun 17, 2012 5:54 pm

We are renovating in a BAL Flame Zone too, but in NSW. We found that it is very important to get an architect/designer that understands the requirements and the additional costs involved with BAL FZ.

For instance we got quotes for our windows and doors from one BAL-40 supplier ($30k) and from three BAL-FZ suppliers for the same windows and doors schedule ($130-$150k).

So its really important to understand the additional cost before you spend too much money on design.

purple2fish · Jun 17, 2012 9:44 pm

Hi I'm in the same boat , we are in the inital stages of looking for a building designer/custom builder for a knockdown & rebuild. Ive seen archtiect fees for $20K approx and Ive had a building designer quote me approx $14K for design all the way to DA & CC stages. After going to see HomeQuest most of the builders there charge up to approx $1-$3K to do modified version of their homes or one off custom designs and Ive had friends who use draftspeople for approx $4K. I'm still not sure what is the best outcome to pay more for a building designer and go through the tender process or go to go with a Custom Builder ?

At the moment I'm leaning more towards the Building designer route as they are cheaper than architects but have similar expertise and they have already designed beautiful homes in our area. If a custom builder is going to cost similar to building via the tender process, than i think paying for a good building designer and getting the design right is most important step. This is the biggest investment/cost you may make in your lifetime so getting it right is so important.

ktotherose · Jun 18, 2012 9:04 am

Yep. We have decided to do the same. We have now picked a designer and waiting for some concept drawings to come back.we will then put it out to tender with some local custom builders. We are so far really happy with our decision!

SunshineT · Jun 22, 2012 9:10 pm

purple2fish

building designer quote me approx $14K for design all the way to DA & CC stages.

this sounds like a good middle compromise - best of both worlds really. We did a similar thing and no regrets.