Handy advice and contact numbers.
Need expert advice?

Deciding whether to employ an architect or draftsmen or to simply approach a builder not only affects the end cost, but also the design of your building project. What expertise do you get for the money?

Why use an architect?
According to the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), the difference between an architect and a draftsperson is design. Kim Crestani, principal of Order Architects, says, "You pay the same for the materials and labour, the difference is in how those materials are put together." Architects are qualified professionals, legally registered and bound by a code of ethics.

All architects are listed with the Board of Architects in each state or territory. Architects employ draftsmen to produce drawings from the architect's design concepts. For a Client Info Pack that contains information on fee scales and a 'You and Your Architect' booklet, phone 1300 134 513.

RAIA National Office
2a Mugga Way
Red Hill, ACT 2603
PO Box 3373, Manuka, ACT 2603
Phone (02) 6273 1548
Fax (02) 6273 1953
Website www.raia.com.au

For information on why architects are registered, go to the Board of Architects NSW at www.boarch.nsw.gov.au. Always check whether the architect you are considering using is registered.

What is a building designer?
Building Designers Association of Australia (BDA) members can produce the design for residential, commercial or industrial property based on your idea. To become a member of the BDA a person must demonstrate their competence to the state or territory BDA Membership Board. As Dick Clarke, a BDA member says, BDA members are the best of the non-architect designers.

In NSW, continuing professional development for members is compulsory. In Victoria, designers must be registered as required by the Building Practitioners Board under the provisions of the Building Act. In Queensland, designers must be licensed by the Building Services Authority

Building Designers Association of Australia
10 Help Street
Chatswood, NSW 2067
Phone (02) 9413 9352
Fax (02) 9413 9351
Email ceo@bdaa.com.au
Website www.bdaa.com.au

What is the ADABD?
The Australian Directory of Architects and Building Designers was established in 1997 and identifies the qualifications, affiliations and experience of practitioners. View the directory at the RAIA website, www.raia.com.au.

And a draftsman?
Draftspeople have tertiary qualifications in drafting plans to paper. There is no body to represent draftspeople and you can find them in the Yellow Pages. Before engaging a draftsperson, enquire about their qualifications and experience. The scale of rates is considerably cheaper than that for an architect, but their knowledge and design ability is accordingly less.

And don't forget
Master Builders Association, phone (02) 6249 1433.
Instant Building Advice Line, phone 1902 220 525.