Thread: Draftman vs architect vs DIY

Hi,
When I read the thread I thought I would stop by and tell you what I think...
Firstly I am a Draftsman I hold certification in architectural design and have worked as well in civil, hydraulic and Survey drafting (my current main job)

This is how I deal with situations like yours -

Firstly I do a check of the structural integraty of your building.

Followed by an interview with the owners covering what they expect to do with the extensions verses their lifestyle, expectations of added value, budget etc.

Then a contract is drawn up between us.

I then create a sketch plan which is submitted to the client for approval this process generaly can go on for a while as the design sketches are Tweaked and bought into line with the asperations of the client v the reality of the project.

Finally working drawings are created and submitted to a structural engineer before being finalised - this might occure at any stage of the designing depending on the project.

The finished plan is handed to the client for signing off and then a building surveyer (sometimes called building certifier) is contracted to oversee the construction.

All paperwork is finalised and costs are paid (generally) to the BS

The project is put to tender - The winning builder would generally handle the sub contractors or if the Owner is suitable certified the project is handed over to him/her. otherwise - generally I would be heavily involved in the construction making sure corners are not cut NPI.
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The above is exactly what an architect would do. They are generally trained up to control large projects that return mega bucks however only 10% of architects actually practice ( this is a fact too) I believe this is because they are dreamers - Gravity Artists - wheras the shear bulk of designs handled by the average designer/drafter allows them the luxury of being able to design as well as have both their feet on the ground.
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An architect does 5 years of training - one of which is spent on the job as a Draftsman. Its worth noting also - the first year is spent designing dog kennels and painting schemes - an architectural designer (Draftsman) does 4 years of study to get an advanced diploma same deal - one is spent in the field as a designer. If a person chooses to contract an architect to design a deck I believe they are wasting the design fee - the Architect will carry out the job exactly as I outlined above but will probably take longer and will charge a percentage of the whole of the works ormega bucks whichever is the most, will insists on doing all the hiring thus paying contracters, hiring, firing etc and will spend an inordinate amount your time worrying over the colour scheme,,,eventually suggesting that you repaint the whole of your house - no just kidding! they are mostly good when not down the pub - still just kidding
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My suggestion -
Use your imagination -go to the library - look in heaps of magazines for basic concepts -
Contact firstly 2 or 3 draftsman to sus them out and show them photocopies of your ideas or drawings
also start to look for a builder as many have designers they work with.
and remember unless you have a large disposable income - and get off on the snob value ofusing an architect.
Use an architect for a big Hi Rise project
Use a designer or builder for a standard suburban project.
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My apologies to all the architects I have just put off side but hey, I could have been one too - only I chose to eat regularly.
I do value your work - I think cultural identities are created through architecture where would we be without the likes of Glenn Murcutt who incidently has an autobigraphy called "Touch the Earth Lightly"or more importantly Russell Hall -
whenever I see an amazing structure it's always by an architect but housing? much harder to pick because as you are acutly aware of there are a ton of hot designers out there with the tickets to design just about anything and run the whole show in the bargain

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