Architect vs. engineer: Which professional should you hire?

Have you saved up for your dream home or shop and want to start building it soon? If so, you’ll have to work with various professionals, such as architects and engineers, to make them a reality. But before you start hiring, understanding their roles and responsibilities is vital to make it easier to work and collaborate with them.

Here's an in-depth architect vs. engineer guide to help you decide which is best to hire for your project.

What is an architect?

Architect reviewing building plans in a workspace. (Source: iStock)

An architect is a professional who creates detailed building designs and blueprints using software tools like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Their job is to produce exquisite building design concepts while keeping functionality and safety in mind.

Part of an architect’s role is coordinating with various building contractors and subcontractors, ensuring that the materials and finishes used for the construction are correct and within the budget. Often, an architect does site visits, but their primary role is to plan and create designs, so their work is office-based.

Like other professions, architects come in many types and specialities:

• Residential architects specialize in designing functional living spaces for residential buildings like apartment complexes.

• Commercial architects specialize in designing office buildings, shopping centers, retail stores, and other commercial spaces. 

• Landscape architects produce designs for gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces, seamlessly blending artificial structures into the natural environment with sustainability in mind. 

• Interior architects often work on commercial and residential projects, focusing on interior design vs. interior decorating. 

• Urban designers work with government bodies to create organized and functional layouts for cities, towns, neighborhoods, and other urban areas.  

To become an architect in the US, one must earn a Bachelor of Architecture, which can last up to five years. However, the total number of years needed can reach eight because they must earn at least three years of practical experience through internships. The final step is to take an Architectural Registration Examination (ARE), overseen by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), before they can be registered as a licensed professional within their state.

What is an engineer? 

Engineers assessing the structural framework at a building site. (Source: iStock)

An engineer is a professional who designs and constructs buildings and infrastructures using scientific and mathematical principles. They conduct a cost analysis and feasibility studies to determine whether a construction project is achievable within the client’s budget and design plans. 

The role of an engineer is to ensure that the construction project adheres to local building codes and regulations. Engineers often coordinate and collaborate with architects to help improve the safety and functionality of the proposed architectural design.

There are also many types of engineers:

• Civil engineers focus on large-scale infrastructure projects like road construction, dams, and water supply systems. 

• Structural engineers focus on finding solutions and choosing the right materials to keep buildings and infrastructures stable and safe. 

• Mechanical engineers focus on systems like heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in buildings. 

• Electrical engineers ensure that the wiring, lighting, power distribution, and other electrical systems within buildings are safe, reliable, and meet all building codes and standards. 

• Architectural engineers are also building engineers who work closely with architects to ensure the building’s ventilation, heating, and plumbing systems work properly, creating a safe and functional structure. 

To become an engineer in the US, one must finish a bachelor’s degree in engineering accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), which can last four years. Those who want to earn a professional engineer license must pass an exam in the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and a Practice of Engineering (PE) exam and gain at least four years of supervised professional experience.

Engineer vs. architect: What’s the difference?

Let’s dive deeper into the differences between an architect and an engineer, so you can better understand their roles and responsibilities.

In terms of project complexity

Team of engineers planning and coordinating a construction project. (Source: iStock)

Architects and engineers handle different project complexities. Architects focus more on the various design aspects of a building project, whether it’s a simple residential structure or a more complex commercial building. This includes producing a spatial blueprint that outlines how the lighting, furniture, and other aesthetic building elements should be arranged to create a functional and comfortable living space. 

In addition to handling the design, architects are expected to manage clients, collaborate with building contractors, subcontractors, and engineers, and obtain permits and approvals.

Meanwhile, engineers focus more on the technical and structural aspects of the project. Part of their job is to calculate the load distribution and assess the strength of the building materials to ensure the final design is safe, stable, and durable. Because of this, they usually handle more large-scale construction projects like high-rise buildings, bridges, and tunnels.

However, engineers can still be involved in less complex projects, such as residential houses, since these buildings also need to be safe to live in.

In terms of design requirements

When it comes to building design and construction, architects are tasked with developing innovative and creative designs that meet the artistic and aesthetic goals of the project. This involves creating multiple blueprints that show the different parts of the building from various perspectives. Through these blueprints, clients can also envision the proposed designs from different sides and what each floor and roof looks like.

On the other hand, engineers’ design requirements include developing detailed engineering drawings that outline the critical structural components of the building. This includes producing technical blueprints for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, plumbing systems, and electrical lines.

Moreover, engineers must conduct risk assessments through a feasibility study when developing an engineering design. This is to foresee the potential issues that might risk the safety and longevity of the building.

In terms of regulatory knowledge

Engineers taking precise measurements for quality control. (Source: iStock)

Architects have a broader knowledge of the general building codes, environmental standards, and specific local and state regulations. They usually prepare strict technical documents such as building contracts and detailed architectural blueprints that meet state-specific safety and accessibility regulations.

On the flip side, engineers are less involved in submitting and obtaining building permits and processing approvals. However, they’re still heavily involved in drafting the house plans, floor plans and blueprints since they can make precise structural calculations to ensure the proposed architectural and engineering design complies with the structural integrity and safety codes.

In terms of budget

Residential building projects are expensive, considering the house renovation costs alone. This is why you need someone to help manage the budget to reduce overall expenses. It’s best to work with both architects and engineers to manage the budget since they’re heavily involved in the construction process. 

Architects can help outline the costs for materials, finishes, and construction methods related to design while making budget adjustments to avoid exceeding the client’s financial limit. Meanwhile, engineers can help evaluate construction materials such as steel, concrete, and other foundational elements. They may also project long-term operational costs, such as the maintenance and energy efficiency of the building.

In terms of project timeline

Architect refining floor plan details alongside a building model. (Source: iStock)

Although project timelines for architects and engineers often overlap because they typically have to work together throughout the project, architects still have a shorter project timeline than engineers. This is because architects are only heavily involved in the initial design conceptualisation, building permitting, selection of contractors and subcontractors, and construction administration, which includes regular site visits.

While obtaining permits and approvals takes time, once the construction is done, all that’s left for the architect is to do a final inspection. In contrast, engineers still have to monitor for long-term issues that might arise after the construction process.

Moreover, engineers handle more complex projects than architects. This includes large public works and infrastructures, which can take longer than the house renovations that architects typically manage.

In terms of communication and collaboration

Architects are the principal project coordinators, communicating building design ideas to clients and discussing these designs with engineers and contractors. This is why they must develop clear communication skills to relay important information to various stakeholders, preventing costly revisions, delays, or structural issues. 

Their communication skills must go beyond verbal, as they must also excel at visual communication. This involves proficiently using software tools like CAD to create detailed plans that engineers and builders can easily understand.

Meanwhile, communication and collaboration can be more challenging for engineers due to the nature of their work. Remember that they typically handle technical, structural details, which might be difficult to explain clearly to those without an engineering background. However, effective communication is important to engineers, as they’re the ones who can ensure that the final design is safe to be built.

Hire a trusted architect on Airtasker

Do you need help finding and hiring an architect? Find one here at Airtasker by simply posting a task! While hiring a professional might come with additional costs, their services are worth investing in as they possess the skills and expertise to handle complex projects.