Reed Design Architects

Not sure who to choose?

Architect vs Draftsman

Have an architectural project in mind?  Not sure whether to hire an Architect or a Draftsmen?  The difference is mainly in education and scope.  The most significant difference between a Registered Architect and a Draftsman is that the Architect is a licensed professional. To achieve this, the architect must complete a post graduate degree in Architecture, and pass rigorous Board Examinations. The Professional Architect must stand behind their work in all aspects.

Most drafters work for architects or as part of a construction company. An architect is the visionary behind the functional design of a home. Under their supervision, draftspersons translate that vision into technical blueprints that a construction company follows.

A draftsman, like an architect, prepares home drawings which are used to build a home. While an architect typically has 5-7+ years of higher education, a draftsman may have a two- to four-year degree.  If you choose to work with a draftsman, you can expect construction-ready design drawings, technical schematics, and material design drawings.

In most cases, draftsmen do not have the artistic or comprehensive background to go beyond making minor changes to your plan. They lack the formal training to design complex layouts, or contemplate all aspects of the design.

If you build with an architect, your options expand.  The homes you wow over when flipping through the pages of a design magazine are designed by architects.  You will be able to make drastic artistic changes to your construction plan with the expert advice of your architect.  They are better able to see the entire scope of your project and design to meet all your needs, contemplating not only the size of a space but how you move and live inside it. The flow of the layout, the functionality of the space, and how the architecture adds character throughout—these are all benefits of working with an architect.