An architect is a licensed professional who has completed an extensive training program that usually involves at least five years of college, three years of internship with a licensed architect, and a series of exams on the important elements of the practise. A draftsman is somebody who knows how to draw plans. Draftsmen are cheaper to hire if what you need is a set of plans for code review. Architects are cheaper to hire (in terms of overall cost) if what you need is a solution to a design problem. It’s not that there aren’t talented draftsmen out there (I’m a draftsman, myself, on the side), but they are just not experienced enough to be able to do the things an architect can, the sort of things that can save you some money or give you a much nicer space for your money. Do I have to pay the bonding cost for the contractor up front? Who has to pay that cost in the end? You’re going to end up paying the bonding cost in the end. Once you have a contract, it seems reasonable to me to pay