What is a Building Designer?

A building designer is a skilled professional who plans and designs buildings—primarily residential homes, renovations, and small commercial spaces. Their work strikes a balance between aesthetic appeal, practical functionality, and compliance with building regulations such as the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) in Western Australia.

Unlike architects, building designers often take a more focused and flexible approach, helping homeowners and developers turn their ideas into well-documented plans that are ready for council approval and construction. They combine creative vision with technical precision, ensuring the end result aligns with both your goals and your budget.

Key Responsibilities of a Building Designer

Here’s what a building designer typically handles during a project:

1. Custom Design Solutions

They work closely with you to understand your vision, lifestyle needs, and site conditions, then translate that into a tailored floor plan that reflects your goals and enhances your space.

2. Technical Documentation

Once the concept is approved, the building designer produces a set of working drawings, including elevations, sections, and construction details. These documents are essential for builder pricing, council submissions, and eventual construction.

3. Regulatory Compliance

A critical part of the role is ensuring your plans meet all local planning schemes, R-Codes, Building Codes of Australia (BCA), and any other relevant standards. This helps avoid costly delays or non-compliance issues down the track.

4. Project Coordination

Building designers often liaise with engineers, energy assessors, surveyors, and builders to ensure all technical aspects of the design are addressed. This streamlines the process and keeps your project moving smoothly from concept to construction.

In many cases, the building designer becomes a key point of contact throughout the early stages of your build or renovation journey.

Building Designer vs. Architect: What’s the Difference?

Although both professions design buildings, there are important differences in training, registration, and project focus:

Architects:

• Require a formal university degree (usually five years or more).
• Must complete supervised practice and pass registration exams.
• Often work on larger, more complex projects or public infrastructure.
• Typically offer a full design and project management service, from feasibility to handover.

Building Designers:

• Often hold diplomas or advanced diplomas in building design or a draftsman degree.
• Focus on residential and small-scale commercial projects.
• Provide affordable, flexible design services, often specialising in local design standards.
• Not required to be registered as architects in Western Australia, but their plans must still comply with all relevant laws and codes.

Choosing between the two depends on the complexity of your project, your budget, and the level of involvement you’re after.

Cost of a Building Designer

One of the major benefits of hiring a building designer is cost-effectiveness. While the total fee depends on the scale and complexity of your project, building designers generally charge lower rates than architects, often a fixed fee or a smaller percentage of the overall construction cost.

This makes them a popular option for:

• Homeowners looking to build a custom home or renovate.
• Property developers working on dual occupancies, granny flats, or townhouses.
• Small businesses wanting a functional commercial fit-out.

Despite the lower cost, you still receive a high standard of design, technical drawings, and council-ready documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need a building designer or an architect for my home project?

For most residential projects—like new homes, extensions, or unit developments—a building designer is the more practical and budget-friendly option. If you’re planning something highly complex or architecturally unique, then an architect may be more suitable.

2. Can a building designer help with council approvals?

Absolutely. Building designers are experienced in preparing the necessary documents for development applications (DAs) and building permits. They understand how to navigate council requirements and often manage the submission process on your behalf.

3. What’s the difference between concept plans and working drawings?

Working Drawings are detailed plans used by builders and authorities. They include technical specifications, materials, and construction details required for permits and building.

Concept Plans are early-stage sketches or layouts showing how your space will look and function. These help visualise the overall design and layout.