What should I include in a scope for a building designer or architect?

Summary: Turns your brief into the drawings used for approvals, pricing and construction. They usually lead and coordinate the other consultants.

Why it matters: Unclear design scope is the biggest driver of redesign costs and builder variations. Drawings that are not construction-ready lead to guesswork on site.

Minimum scope by stage

• Concept: brief review; site analysis (orientation, slope, setbacks, overlays, services, views); concept plans and elevations; area schedule; check against budget
• Planning (if required): site plan with setbacks, site cover and open space; floor plans; elevations and sections with heights to ground and AHD; shadow and overlooking diagrams where needed; external materials schedule; drawings updated for council requests and conditions
• Building approval: fully dimensioned plans, sections and elevations; wall and floor types; wet area, stair, balustrade and glazing details; window and door schedule; NCC compliance notes
• Tender documents: full specification; window, door, finishes and fixtures schedules; electrical, lighting and data layout; inclusions, exclusions and provisional sums so builders price on the same basis
• Construction documents: fully dimensioned plans with setting out; sections and construction details (junctions, wet areas, stairs, roof, eaves, windows and doors); joinery drawings; coordinated engineering and hydraulic drawings; issued as "For Construction" with revision numbers
• Coordination (all stages): lead the consultant team, issue current drawings, integrate engineering, energy, BAL and hydraulic requirements, cross-check documents before each issue, and keep a design responsibility list (who designs what, e.g. trusses by supplier)
• Construction: responses to builder questions (RFIs); review of truss, frame, window and joinery shop drawings against design intent; revised drawings for approved changes
• Completion: drawings updated for approved changes; as-built architectural set where changes were significant

Options

• 3D renders or walkthroughs
• Interior design and selections
• Tender documents and help comparing builder quotes
• Contract administration: site visits, progress claim checks, variation assessment, defects inspection
• Full as-built drawing set (CAD and PDF) for your records
• Duplex: fire and sound separation details, strata or title plan coordination

Meetings and site visits: Briefing meeting, one site visit, review meeting at each stage, and a coordination meeting with the engineer and other consultants before construction drawings are issued. During construction, state the number of site visits included (e.g. slab, frame, lock-up, practical completion).

Watch-out: Many low-cost drafting packages stop at the approval set. That set is often not detailed enough to price or build from, and excludes coordination. If so, you become the coordinator. Building designer registration or licensing differs by state (see state notes); architects must be registered in every state and territory.