No. Architects build buildings and handle bigger designs. Are you planning on adding or tearing down walls? Adding a bathroom, moving plumbing, etc? Bigger general contractors have designers on staff.

You can just hire a reputable general contractor who will help you with what you want to do

Hire a designer. Tight budget and a complete basement overhaul don’t belong in the same sentence. Unless you want I Designer, poor quality, and cheap. Throw down some sheet vinyl and set up some lawn chairs if so.

General contractors don’t need to be big to have designers. I work for a guy who’s wife does most of the designs for our remodels. Which works out really good cause when problems arise they can collaborate and come up with a quick solution. Not including her, there’s only 3 of us that do nearly all the work. My suggestion would be to ask around locally. There will be someone who can take your ideas and also do the work to turn them into reality. I would expect to pay for it though. In the end, if the designer and general contractor are good you’ll be happy with the results.

Thanks - all good ideas. First contractor interview tomorrow. I will ask some staffing type questions. I have so many thoughts about design and process that maybe a designer is what I need to pull it all together.