Building with an Architect: Data, Not Myths
You might have heard big claims like “architects only draw 70% of the plans” or “most architect designs never get built.” They sound dramatic, but they’re misleading. Here’s what really matters, in plain English. You might even be comparing house architects for a new house or extension. Here’s what to look for:
Who this guide helps:
Planning a new house or a home extension? This article is written for homeowners comparing house architects and building designers. Whether it’s a ground-up new build, a second-storey extension, or a high-performance renovation, the same principles apply: feasibility first, clear documents, and a team that can actually get your project built.
New house architect: what “good” looks like
If you’re choosing a new house architect, look for a process that aligns your brief, site rules and budget before sketches begin. Our Home Masterplan Report has helped many clients move confidently from concept to contract with <5% typical contingency (excluding client changes) and a 93.75% build-through rate after feasibility.
Extension architect: avoiding budget drift
A great extension architect designs for your existing structure, services and solar access—details that make or break cost. Our documentation aims to close gaps that often cause variations during additions and extensions.
High-performance architects (comfort + running costs)
We specialise in high-performance homes—all-electric, well-insulated, airtight, and ventilated for clean air. If you’re searching for high performance architects, ask about NatHERS targets, airtightness strategy, windows, shading and heat-pump systems. Design to cost still applies; performance isn’t an excuse for budget surprises.
First, a few terms in everyday language
Documentation
This is the full set of drawings, notes and schedules a builder needs to price and build your home. Think of it as the recipe and the shopping list, not just a sketch of the finished cake.
Feasibility
A pre-design sense check: do your wish list, site rules, and budget match? If they do not, we adjust early while changes are easy and cheap.
Contingency
A small budget buffer for genuine unknowns that appear during construction, not a slush fund for avoidable changes.
Build-through rate
Of the projects that pass feasibility, how many actually reach site.
Myth 1:
“Architects only do 70 percent of the documents and sort the rest on site.”
Why this sounds scary
Your documentation becomes part of your contract with the builder. If the “recipe” is half-baked, it leaves gaps. Gaps let a builder reasonably claim extra costs for things they didn’t allow for—and you, the client, pay those extras.
What really happens
Good architects issue a clear, complete package for pricing and building—especially for competitive tenders. We work on the principle: finish it on paper so you don’t pay for it on site.
Our benchmark
On most projects we end up using less than 5 percent contingency, excluding client-driven changes. In simple terms, there are very few surprises. Small buffer used equals clear instructions up front.
How this helps you
Clear instructions lead to cleaner quotes, fewer arguments and fewer costly variations once you start building.
“Aren’t architects expensive?”
Yes, design fees can feel like a lot up front, and that can put some people off. But our data shows clients aren’t just buying drawings, they’re paying for certainty:
Myth 2: “You cannot check costs without a builder involved.”
Why this confuses people
It suggests architects are guessing until a builder turns up.
What really happens
We run feasibility first. Our Home Masterplan Report uses the same estimating software many builders use, backed by an independent estimating service. If a concept does not pass feasibility, it does not move into design. This keeps everyone honest and protects your budget.
A note of caution
In early chats some people are told it can be built for half to a third of a proper estimate. Verbal underquotes feel good on the day but usually hurt later. We wrote about this here: https://www.whiskerarchitecture.com/architecture-articles/builder-verbal-quotes-vs-architect-estimates
How this helps you
This protects your budget on new builds and extensions alike. You make decisions with real numbers, not wishful thinking. You avoid falling in love with a plan that was never affordable.
Myth 3: “Only 20 percent of architect-designed homes get built.”
Why this is misleading
We’ve never seen credible data to support that figure. In some commercial sectors (e.g., hospitality during a downturn, or offices during WFH shifts), projects can pause or cancel due to the economy. Residential projects can also pause—even during construction—for very human reasons: death, divorce, job changes.
But here’s the key point: sometimes projects don’t get built because feasibility wasn’t done thoroughly enough at the start. That’s avoidable.
What our data shows
At Whisker Architecture, 93.75% of projects that pass feasibility proceed to site. The remaining 6.25% are currently on hold pre-construction for client considerations (timing/finance). That’s the opposite of the myth.
Why it helps you
Choose a team that proves their process with numbers and does the hard feasibility work upfront.
A straightforward roadmap that protects you
Clarity call – goals, site, budget.
Feasibility first – independent cost check, planning rules, site risks with our Home Masterplan Report. If it doesn’t stack up, adjust now.
Concept Package – develop your floor plan and 3D design of your new house or extension, matched to budget, and local council requirements.
Detailed Package – technical documents, clear parameters (drawings + specs) coordinated with engineers and statutory authorities.
Contractor Selection – send resolved docs to suitable builders so prices are comparable.
Construction – regular meetings; decisions tracked; no surprises.
Handover & aftercare – defects period and maintenance notes.
Six questions to benchmark any architect or designer
Build-through rate: Of projects that pass feasibility, how many reached site in the last two years?
Contingency use: On a typical job (excluding client changes), how much contingency actually gets used?
Feasibility method: How do you test budget at the start, and what independent cost data do you use?
Documentation clarity: How do you make sure drawings/specs are complete enough for reliable pricing?
Managing changes (plain English): What’s the simple, written process to request a change, see cost/time impact, and approve it before it happens?
Working with builders: How do you involve builders for insight while still protecting the client’s budget and interests?
What you can expect with us
Feasibility first: we align wish list, site rules, and budget before design begins.
Clear paperwork: we finish the “recipe” on paper to avoid paying for it on site.
Measured outcomes: 93.75% build-through after feasibility; <5% contingency typically used (excluding client changes).
Plain language: no jargon—just clear steps, costs, and decisions.
If you’re planning a home, start with feasibility. It saves time, money, and stress—and it turns myths into confident decisions.
FAQs
Do I need an architect for a new house?
If you want a custom new house designed to your site, budget and council rules, an architect (or experienced house architect) adds value through feasibility, documentation quality and coordination—reducing surprises later.
What’s the difference between an architect and a building designer for an extension?
Both can design an extension. The key is process: early feasibility, coordinated drawings/specs, and a clear change process. Ask each about design process (including design options), contingency usage, construction support, and build-through rates.
Can high-performance design fit my budget?
Yes—when it’s planned early. A high-performance architect will prioritise fabric first (insulation, windows, shading, airtightness) and design to cost with staged choices, so comfort and running-cost savings don’t blow the budget.
Thinking of designing your forever home?
Planning a new house, extension, or high-performance renovation in Melbourne or Regional Victoria? Book a short call and we’ll walk you through feasibility, costs and next steps.
Not quite ready?
Download our free guide Can I Afford My Dream Home? to discover how values-led architecture can save you time, money, and heartache — with the right advice from day one.
