If you're planning a new home, renovation or extension, you may hear three different terms almost immediately: architect, building designer and draftsperson.
All three can be involved in residential design and documentation, but the titles do not automatically tell you what level of service you will receive. The most useful comparison is the person's qualifications, experience, design ability, documentation quality, insurance and the actual scope they are offering for your project.
Architect
In Western Australia, 'architect' is a protected professional title under the Architects Act 2004. Only appropriately registered people and licensed corporations can hold themselves out as architects in WA.
Registered architects must satisfy the statutory registration requirements through an approved pathway and are regulated by the Architects Board of Western Australia. Architectural practices can provide services ranging from concept design and planning through detailed documentation, tendering and contract administration.
An architect can be appropriate for residential work of any scale, particularly where the client specifically wants a registered architectural service or a very design-intensive or complex commission.
Building designer
Building designers work across residential design, documentation and approvals. In practice, the scope varies substantially between businesses: some focus heavily on drawing production while others provide concept design, planning advice, construction documentation, consultant coordination and project support.
As at September 2026, WA does not have a general statutory registration requirement applying to every person using the title 'building designer' for ordinary Class 1 residential work. The WA Government has accepted broader building-regulation reform recommendations dealing with design documentation and registration of building designers, and further regulatory changes are being developed.
Because the regulatory framework is evolving - and because the title itself does not guarantee a particular service level - homeowners should assess the actual individual or practice on experience, qualifications, portfolio, insurance, documentation quality and the scope being offered.
Draftsperson
A draftsperson traditionally focuses on translating design information into accurate technical drawings and documentation. Drafting is an important technical skill and good documentation has a major impact on approvals and construction.
In residential practice, however, the line between a draftsperson and building designer is not always clear. Some draftspeople also provide design services, while some building designers employ specialist drafters as part of their team.
That is why comparing the service scope is more reliable than relying on the title alone.
A simple comparison
| Typical strength | What to check | |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | Registered architectural services, design, documentation and potentially full project/contract administration. | Experience with your project type, fee structure, extent of construction involvement and whether the level of service suits the project. |
| Building designer | Residential design, practical planning solutions, approvals and documentation, depending on the provider. | Qualifications, portfolio, R-Code/local planning knowledge, PI insurance, documentation quality and exactly what is included in the proposal. |
| Draftsperson | Accurate production of drawings and technical documentation, often from an established brief or design. | Whether design input, planning advice, council submission and consultant coordination are included or whether the service is drawing-production only. |
Do you legally need an architect for a house in WA?
No. WA's current building framework does not generally require plans for a Class 1 house to be prepared or reviewed by an architect simply because it is a house, renovation or extension.
The Architects Act regulates use of the professional title 'architect'. Building permit applications still need to satisfy the Building Act, Building Regulations, National Construction Code and other applicable requirements, and technical components may need to be prepared or certified by appropriately qualified specialists such as engineers and building surveyors.
When does a building designer make sense?
A capable building designer can be a strong fit for many residential projects, including:
- custom new homes;
- renovations and extensions;
- ancillary dwellings;
- duplex, triplex and grouped dwelling projects;
- retained-house subdivision projects;
- front fences, patios, garages and other residential additions; and
- projects where the owner wants one consultant to coordinate design, approvals and the consultant team.
The key is choosing a designer whose previous work and technical capability match the scale and complexity of the job.
When might an architect be the better fit?
An architect may be particularly attractive where the client wants a registered architectural service, where the project is highly bespoke or technically complex, where extensive tender and contract-administration services are required, or where the architect's specific portfolio is a strong match for the brief.
That does not mean architects are automatically 'better' or building designers are automatically 'cheaper'. Good professionals can exist in each category. The goal is to appoint the right professional team for the outcome you want.
What should you compare before appointing anyone?
- Does their previous work demonstrate the type of design you want?
- Do they understand the planning framework and local council requirements?
- Are they carrying appropriate professional indemnity and public liability insurance?
- Does the proposal clearly state the number or extent of design revisions?
- Who is responsible for council submission and responses to authority requests?
- Are working drawings included, or does the fee stop at concept or planning approval?
- Who coordinates the structural engineer, energy assessor, surveyor and building surveyor?
- What additional fees can arise later?
- Will you be dealing with the person actually designing the project?
- Do you feel comfortable communicating with them for what may be a many-month process?
Quick questions
Can a building designer prepare plans for a new house in WA?
For ordinary Class 1 residential work, a building designer can prepare the architectural design and documentation. Specialist elements may still require input from engineers, energy assessors, building surveyors and other appropriately qualified consultants.
Is an architect always more expensive?
Not necessarily. Fees depend on the scope, project complexity and level of service. A fair comparison requires looking at what each proposal actually includes.
Is a draftsperson only for simple work?
No. Draftspeople can be highly skilled technical practitioners. The important point is whether design input, planning advice and coordination are included and whether that matches what your project needs.
Where Shoreline Design sits
Shoreline Design operates as a building design practice rather than an architectural practice. Our role is broader than simply drafting plans.
For residential projects, that can include early site and feasibility review, concept design, R-Code and local planning consideration, development approval, working drawings, consultant coordination, building-permit submission support and, where relevant, subdivision or project-delivery services.
The intention is to provide clients with practical, considered residential design and a clear path through the approvals process, while bringing in specialist consultants where their expertise is required.
This article is general information for Perth property owners. Planning rules, fees and costs change, and every property is different, so check the requirements for your own property before you act on it.