Who to approach first—architect, designer or builder?

A common question when building a new home is, "Should I start with an architect, designer, or builder?" 

The answer depends on your vision, budget, and your project’s complexity. There’s no single "best" way—it’s about understanding your final goal and aligning your team with it from the start.

1. Architect

If you’re looking for a fully custom design or have a challenging site (for example, sloping land), an architect can provide a unique solution that meets your specific needs.

Architects focus on the aesthetics and functionality of your home while ensuring it integrates with the site. They’re skilled in handling complex designs and can provide creative, tailored solutions to reflect your vision.

The drawback is that architects sometimes produce designs that exceed your budget, especially if a builder isn't involved early on to guide costs. We’ve seen cases where architect-led projects required redesigning to meet budget constraints during construction.

2. Building designer

Building designers are ideal if you want custom touches without the level of detail and expense that comes with hiring an architect. This option works well for more straightforward designs.

Designers are more budget-focused. They aim to create functional, aesthetically pleasing homes that work within your financial limits. They can manage council approvals and work with builders to ensure designs are practical for construction.

The drawback is that while more cost-effective than architects, building designers may offer less creative flexibility. For homes with specific energy efficiency or healthy living requirements, a designer might miss some of the more technical details.

3. Builder

If you know the style or design you want (particularly if it’s inspired by a display home or previous build), starting with a builder may save time.

Builders can handle the project from start to finish and connect you with their in-house designers or drafts people. Some builders specialize in design and construct services, which help streamline the entire process from design to approvals and construction.

The drawback is that going straight to a builder without an independent designer or architect may limit your design options. Some builders focus more on ticking regulatory boxes (like BASIX or NatHERS) rather than going above and beyond with energy-efficient or healthy home features.

Recommended approach

If you’re building a custom forever home, it’s best to involve both the builder and the designer from the start. Bringing the builder in later can result in designs that are difficult or expensive to build.

For example, if you’re focusing on health and energy efficiency (like building to Passive House standards), it’s essential to involve a builder early. 

Builders can offer practical insight into how design decisions affect the performance and construction of your home. Architects and designers might overlook performance aspects, leading to unexpected issues or compromised energy efficiency down the line.

Avoid design-first pitfalls

We’ve seen cases where clients spend months working on a design only to find out later that their dream home exceeds their budget. This is why it’s essential to control design and costs simultaneously, rather than treating the design in isolation. 

A design and construct approach works particularly well for those who want healthy, energy-efficient homes, as it keeps all aspects of the project—design, approvals, and costs—aligned.

If you have a complex site, engaging both a local architect and a builder from the start can help ensure the design fits your budget and site conditions. It’s much easier to adjust the design early on than to scramble for more funds after construction begins.

Choosing the right team

You need to avoid having to educate your builder.

This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can offer. Be clear on your priorities—whether that’s energy efficiency, healthy living, or building a forever home. Select professionals who already have experience delivering on those goals.

It’s not uncommon to see clients try to force-educate their builder, especially when it comes to incorporating high-performance features like airtightness or advanced ventilation systems. This can lead to cost overruns and frustration. 

Seek out builders who specialize in these areas to ensure your goals are met without unnecessary friction.