Whats the difference between an Architect, designer, draftsman, Structural Engineer, Professional Engineer and an Architectural Engineer?
An Architect is someone who is professionally licensed by each State to provide Architectural services. Many are self described artists which is fine and needed on certain types of projects. Each Architect is different and provides a varying level of service that may or may not include things like Civil Engineering, Surveying, Structural Engineering, MEP (Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing) Engineering, Pre-Design services, Design services, Contract Administration and Construction Observation services in his fee structure. The type of services included depends on their level of expertise and their own comfort level. A designer is someone who is unlicensed but is usually knowledgeable about building design or the building trade. This can include people like builders, contractors, unlicensed architects, draftsman who also “design”, people who just want to design, engineers, etc. Anyone can be a designer as there are no licensing or training requirements. There are however, limits on the