Why wouldn't you start with an architect?

Why waste money and time? That’s just silly. You need an architect.

What do you think a house designer does that's of benefit to you?

Do you play Euchre? Have you ever heard of the term, "Never send a boy"?

Find a local architect.

I'll just tell you: start properly from the beginning; hire an architect.

And here's another link: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3598813/we-fit-an-architect-into-our-budget-and-it-was-so-worth-it?n=17

" 'Find' a local architect" suggests some due diligence in the process of selecting an architect to hire. Talk to other people in the area that have experience with local architects; builders, engineers, lumber yards, neighbors, friends, and owners of recently completed (or near completion) homes you like. Try to get references from those that don't have 'skin in the game'. Then talk to several architects to try to determine your comfort level with working with them.

An architect is trained, educated, experienced, and licensed to gather the information needed (from the client, the site, local municipalities) to design structures. Some architects specialize in residential while many architects design a wide range of building types.

Here is a site page that may be helpful to you. The cost may or may not apply to your area, but the rest of the information seemed good:

https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/architects-and-engineers/hire-an-architect/

Good article but make sure to read the comments from architects. Fees are highly regional and generally higher than quoted in the article. Fees in our area are 4-12% of construction. Much higher than quoted in the article.

The question is... Is it worth it to go the cheap route by getting plans from the internet, hand sketch your own modifications and take it to a draftsperson for say 2 or 3% or hire someone licensed with training, talent and years of experience for 5-6%? One design boo-boo can easily cost the difference.

My father on the east coast has been developing for decades and swears at finding a home designer first, the same reason you would hire a kitchen designer. He said it saves money and has always been better for his projects to work with a design oriented person first.

I swear at some home designers too. Some just do not know what is good design.

So you're going to spend EXTRA money to hire a "home designer" - when an architect who is a designer as opposed to an architect who is a project manager or an architect who is a planner, is what you need.

I think you are confusing the roles of an architect and a drafter. No such animal as a "house designer". That's a completely made up title that anyone from your bored househusband neighbor to the gal who had one semester of CAD could self apply. An architect designs home because he has had training to do so. A LOT of training. And has passed a state exam that says he is certified to be called an architect.

A draftsman could be anything from someone with an architectural degree that has failed the exam, to someone who has a community college degree in computer science. They are usually a lot more in love with technology of pixel design than the actual nuts and bolts of real home design.

My father on the east coast has been developing for decades and swears at finding a home designer first, the same reason you would hire a kitchen designer.

I assume your father is talking about a draftsman who calls themselves a designer. In other words someone who knows how to use a CAD program.

However that's not a designer because design comes from the head, not a computer.

For your father as a builder, going to his "designer" works because he can build the house the way he wants which means he saves money in the long run and gets to build a house that will be palatable to the most buyers.

If you're building a custom house, you need to find an architect who can create a home for you and your family.

Architect's training: Professional degree from accredited university (5 years or Masters) plus Intern Development Program covering a wide variety of knowledge areas (3 years or more) plus 40 hour exam that has a super low first time pass rate.

"Home designer" training...meh