35,659 Building Designers

As with all other professional services for home design and renovation, the best way to choose a building designer is to asses their past work against the style and requirements you have for your individual project.

How does a building designer differ from an architect?



The role of building designers has evolved from traditional drafting services to building design that takes into account your lifestyle, budget and site condition. Building designers also often work with contractors to ensure that structural elements are in line with desired aesthetics.

It’s hard to draw a line between building designers and architects – both design homes and offer similar services. However, the main difference is that a building designer, in most states, isn’t required to register or licence with a regulatory figure.

The work of a building designer usually begins by interpreting your requirements into a sketched floor plan. Once agreed upon, the designer then moves on to the drafting and documentation stage, whereby drawings are submitted to council for approval. Some building designers also take care of contract management – that is, hiring builders, managing materials and labour costs, and advising you about any local council by-laws that may concern your project.

How do I find the right building designer for my home design project?



Most states don’t have specific registration processes for building designers, so it’s best that your search is based on past work and referrals. Some industry bodies or professional associations, such as the Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV), offer a list of members, which you can check against bodies such as the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), to gauge their type of work and any registration numbers. For instance, the VBA will provide you with draftsmen or draftspersons options within building design work for architectural, interior or general design services.


Once you have a shortlist of building designers, engage in face-to-face talks about your brief, to ensure you’re on the same page. To get the most value for your money, you want someone who understands you, agrees with your ideas – in relation to sustainable design, space and function – and has the qualifications and enthusiasm to translate ideas to paper and into a reality.

Questions to ask prospective residential building designers:




Have you completed any projects similar to my brief?

May I see examples of your previous work?


Are you and your employees licensed and insured?


What license(s) do you have?


What other training and affiliations do you have?


How do you charge, and what does that include? How will I be charged for parts and materials?


Can you give me a written estimate?


What do your services include?


When can this job be completed?


What is your policy on change orders?


What happens when the cost exceeds the budget? What about changes to materials or labour pricing?


What will I need to provide?


Are there any important considerations or concerns you foresee with this project?


Find a building designer on Houzz. 
Look through Photos of house designs to find projects similar to your brief. Then, click through to the professional responsible for your favourite picks, browse their latest projects and read reviews. Once you’ve created a shortlist of building designers, strike up a conversation with each one and you’ll be one step closer to the house of your dreams!