Choosing the right type of design professional for your project
Introduction
Not all projects require a full-service architect, and not every project owner wants or needs the same level of design support. The type of professional you work with can affect your budget, timeline, project complexity, and permitting path.
This page will help you understand the most common design roles, how to choose the right one based on your goals, and what to consider if you’re thinking about using pre-made or online-purchased plans.
Common Types of Design Professionals
Architect
Architects are licensed professionals trained to lead the full design process. They’re equipped to handle everything from zoning analysis and concept development to construction documents and consultant coordination.
Architects are typically the right fit when:
- You’re building a new home, addition, or ADU
- You’re submitting plans to a jurisdiction that requires a licensed stamp
- Your project is in a regulated area (coastal, hillside, floodplain, wildfire zone)
- You want help shaping the entire look, feel, and layout of the space
- You need coordination between multiple consultants (engineers, surveyors, etc.)
What they typically do:
- Translate your goals into space planning and massing
- Balance design, code compliance, and budget
- Prepare permit-ready drawings
- Coordinate with structural, civil, and MEP engineers
- Manage plan revisions and respond to city comments
- Provide construction-phase services, if needed
Architects can be hired for full-service (start to finish), or on a limited scope just to complete drawings for permit.
Draftsperson
A draftsperson prepares technical drawings that meet permit requirements. They typically don’t provide design services or layout guidance, but can take your existing plans, sketches, or a designer’s layout and turn it into a professional drawing set.
Draftspeople are a great fit for:
- Simple projects with clearly defined scope
- Interior remodels where the layout has already been decided
- Permitting for garage conversions, decks, and ADUs on flat lots
- Project owners working directly with a contractor
What they typically do:
- Create site plans, floor plans, elevations, and basic construction notes
- Translate rough sketches or verbal instructions into permit-ready drawings
- Sometimes assist with building department submittals
- Do not offer creative direction, finish selections, or zoning analysis
Note: Many draftspersons operate under a different title, technologist, residential designer, or building designer, but the key distinction is that they’re not licensed architects.
Designer (Interior or Architectural)
Designers can help plan layouts, select finishes, and guide overall visual direction. While not licensed to stamp construction drawings, many are experienced in space planning, color/material selection, and general layout strategy.
Designers are ideal for:
- Kitchen and bath remodels
- Interior reconfigurations
- Finish and fixture selection
- Projects where the building layout isn’t changing dramatically
What they typically do:
- Refine floor plans or flow
- Recommend materials, fixtures, and furniture
- Create mood boards or 3D visualizations
- Coordinate with a draftsperson or architect for final drawing production
- May assist during construction with styling, sourcing, or revisions
Some designers specialize in residential remodels, while others focus on interiors only. If your layout is already set, a designer can be a valuable resource for finishes and overall feel.
Design-Build Firm
Design-build firms combine the design and construction services into one contract. This means the same company helps plan your project and builds it. In many cases, they’ll handle drafting, engineering coordination, permitting, and construction in-house.
Design-build is ideal for:
- Project owners who want a single point of contact
- Projects where budget alignment is a top priority
- Simple-to-moderate new builds, ADUs, and remodels
- People who prefer a streamlined process over highly customized design
What they typically do:
- Provide design consultations and layout planning
- Develop concept drawings and detailed construction sets
- Offer early cost input and feasibility feedback
- Coordinate permits and engineering
- Handle the entire construction process from start to finish
Design-build isn’t always the best option for highly customized design or complex sites, but it can reduce cost surprises and speed up the process.
Specialty Designers
Some parts of the project may benefit from working with niche professionals, especially for high-detail or experience-based spaces.
Examples include:
- Interior Designers – Focus on finish palettes, furnishings, lighting, and styling
- Kitchen & Bath Designers – Maximize layout efficiency, storage, and appliance integration
- Lighting Designers – Help create layered, efficient, and code-compliant lighting schemes
- Landscape Designers – Plan outdoor layout, hardscape, planting, and irrigation
- AV / Low Voltage Designers – Plan smart home, security, and AV system layouts
These specialists usually work in collaboration with your architect or general designer and are most useful when your project scope includes high-end features or complex planning needs.
What to Consider When Choosing a Design Professional
The right design partner depends on what you’re building, how involved you want to be, and what level of complexity your project brings. Below is a simplified decision framework to help you narrow down who might be the best fit.
Step 1: What Are You Building?
Project Type | Suggested Starting Point |
New custom home | Architect or design-build firm |
Addition or major layout change | Architect or experienced designer + engineer |
Cosmetic kitchen or bath update | Interior designer or design-build firm |
Garage conversion or simple detached ADU | Draftsperson or design-build team |
Interior reconfiguration (non-structural) | Designer + draftsperson |
Landscape or outdoor upgrades | Landscape designer or design-build team |
If your project is located in a regulated zone (coastal, hillside, floodplain, wildfire, or historic district), expect to involve an architect and possibly additional consultants.
Step 2: Is a Licensed Stamp Required?
Ask your local building department or check permit guidelines to see if plans must be prepared or stamped by a licensed architect or engineer.
- If YES → You will need an architect (or engineer if structure only)
- If NO → You may use a draftsperson or design-build team with permit-ready drawings
Keep in mind: Some jurisdictions allow owners or contractors to submit their own drawings for minor work, but others require all drawings to be prepared by a licensed design professional.
Step 3: How Custom or Complex Is the Design?
Question | You Likely Need… |
Are you designing from scratch or need high customization? | Architect or full-scope designer |
Are you working with inspiration photos and need help making selections? | Interior designer |
Do you already know your layout and just need drawings for permit? | Draftsperson |
Do you want the design and construction team to be one entity? | Design-build firm |
Custom design features (vaulted ceilings, high-end finishes, unusual layouts, site constraints) typically benefit from an architect or design-build firm with in-house design expertise.
Step 4: Who Do You Want Managing the Process?
Preference | Good Match |
“I want full design leadership and coordination.” | Architect |
“I want to be hands-on and choose finishes myself.” | Designer + draftsperson |
“I just want one team to handle everything.” | Design-build firm |
“I already have a layout—I just need plans drawn.” | Draftsperson |
“I want help choosing materials and visual style.” | Interior designer |
Step 5: What’s Your Budget and Timeline?
Design fees vary significantly—and not just by professional type, but also by how much involvement they provide.
Budget / Speed Priority | Option to Consider |
Lower design budget, tight schedule | Design-build or draftsperson |
Flexible budget, detailed and custom design | Architect |
Finish-focused remodel with modest layout changes | Designer + draftsperson |
Sample Project Scenarios Table
Project Type | Description | Recommended Design Help | Why This Makes Sense |
Custom Home on a Sloped Lot | New build with grading, view, or fire zone considerations | Architect + engineers (structural, civil, geo) | Complex site and zoning require licensed pros and full design coordination |
Interior Remodel with Layout Changes | Kitchen/living reconfiguration with wall movement and new finishes | Designer + draftsperson or design-build firm | Finish planning + layout needs, permit drawings still required |
Garage Conversion into ADU | Turning garage into a legal living unit with bath and kitchen | Design-build firm or draftsperson + engineer | Structure is existing – streamlined planning with basic drawings + MEP support |
Cosmetic Remodel (No Layout Change) | Painting, flooring, lighting updates, and fixture swaps | Interior designer or contractor only | No plans or permits needed; optional help choosing finishes |
Detached ADU on Flat Lot | Building a 1-bed backyard unit on level ground | Design-build firm or draftsperson + engineer | Simple site allows for a more direct and cost-effective design process |
Small Addition with Roof Tie-In | Adding ~300 sq ft to a home, extending roof and walls | Architect or designer + structural engineer | Requires structural planning and layout coordination for roof connections |
Modern Farmhouse (New Build) | Medium-complexity custom home with strong interior design focus | Architect + interior designer or design-build firm | Straightforward shell, but high emphasis on interior feel and flow |
Retail Tenant Improvement (TI) | Renovating a commercial unit with new layout, lighting, and finishes | Architect + MEP engineers or commercial design-build | Accessibility, egress, and HVAC require code-compliant stamped plans |
Cost Comparison & Typical Services
Role | Typical Fee Structure | Common Deliverables |
Architect | 8–15% of construction cost | Full design, stamped plans, coordination, feasibility |
Designer | Hourly or fixed | Layouts, interior finishes, material selections |
Draftsperson | Flat rate per drawing set | Technical drawings for permitting (no design direction) |
Design-Build Firm | Included in build cost | Design, plans, construction coordination |
Specialty Designer | Hourly or package rate | Support in kitchens, interiors, lighting, or landscape |
Fees and involvement vary, some roles may overlap or be combined depending on your team.
Using Pre-Made or Online Purchased Plans
Stock plans can look like an easy shortcut, but they often fall short of real-world conditions. These plans are not designed for your specific lot, zoning, or local building code—and they often need modification by a licensed professional to meet permit requirements.
Limitations to consider:
- May not comply with local setbacks, height limits, or FAR rules
- Often require re-engineering for wind, seismic, or snow loads
- Unlikely to match existing utilities, access points, or grading
- Most jurisdictions still require architectural or engineering stamps
Stock plans can be a useful visual starting point, but rarely work without professional adaptation.
Summary
Choosing the right design professional is one of the most important early decisions you’ll make in your project. Whether you need full architectural services, basic layout drawings, or interior design help, aligning your team with your goals, budget, and local permitting requirements will help set the project up for success. From custom homes on challenging lots to small-scale remodels, there’s a path for every scope—you just need to match your needs with the right type of expertise. Now that you understand the roles involved and which may be right for your situation, the next step is learning how to find, evaluate, and engage the people who will help bring your project to life.
What’s Next: Assembling Your Design Team
With a clear idea of what kind of design support you need, it’s time to start building your team. The next subpage walks through how to identify qualified professionals, conduct interviews, and request design proposals that reflect your goals and budget.
Continue to Assembling Your Design Team to learn how to reach out to designers and architects, what to ask, and how to move from research into real collaboration.