What’s the Difference Between Hiring an Architect vs. a Draftsperson?

I’ve had a few potential clients asking if I will “do the drawings for their project.” I’m never put off by this question, but it does highlight that many people don’t fully understand the difference between an architect and a draftsperson (or draftsman).

In simple terms:
An architect makes design decisions that can save clients time, money, and frustration.
A draftsperson produces drawings that communicate those design decisions. In the biz we call those drawings, construction documents.

The architect reviews the construction doc. drawings for clarity, accuracy, and design intent, then applies their professional stamp for approval. Every architect should maintain reasonable control over the drawings that represent their design.

So, to answer that original question: Yes, I will do the drawings for your project.
But that is only one part of the services I provide, and it typically comes later in the process.

The Architect’s Role: More Than Just Drawings

As an architect, my work goes far beyond creating construction documents. My role is to design spaces that are functional, beautiful, and buildable, and to guide you through a process that turns ideas into architecture.

When I approach a project, I look at it holistically. I consider:

• Site boundaries and orientation
• Neighborhood density and character
• The style of surrounding buildings
• Your goals and program
• Zoning and building code requirements

I analyze the project from every angle to ensure that the design intent, the “why” behind every decision, is clearly expressed. The drawings are simply the tool I use to communicate that intent to both the city for permits and to the builder for construction.

Cost vs. Value

It’s common to think, “Hiring an architect will be so much more expensive than hiring a draftsperson, and I already know what I want.”
That may seem true at the beginning, but in reality, hiring an architect can save you money and time in the long run.

Why? Because architects make informed design decisions early in the process. These decisions help prevent costly change orders, delays, and design conflicts during construction. The investment you make in design at the start often pays for itself through a smoother, more efficient building process.

Architects Begin as Draftspeople

Every architect starts their career as a draftsperson. When you hire an architect, you’re hiring someone who not only understands drafting but has evolved that skill into a broader design practice.

Before I earned my Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Kentucky in 2005, I worked as a draftsman (or intern) producing technical drawings for an architectural firm. Those early experiences strengthened my drafting abilities and deepened my understanding of how design and construction come together. Drafting remains an essential part of my process because it is where design decisions take form.

Today, in my practice here in Lexington, Kentucky, I continue to do much of the technical drafting myself while mentoring young draftspeople who help move projects forward. It’s important to me that every drawing we send out reflects both quality and intent.

Final Thoughts

So, yes, I do the drawings.
But more importantly, I design the path that makes those drawings meaningful.

An architect doesn’t just draw your vision. We help shape it, refine it, and communicate it in a way that is both buildable and beautiful.

Thanks for reading,
Jason Zavala, Architect

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