The right questions reveal capability, approach, and suitability. Here are the 15 that matter most.
1. What is your QBCC licence number? Non-negotiable. Verify on QBCC website.
2. Do you hold other licences? A builder’s licence adds construction knowledge. Architectural qualifications indicate broader skill.
3. How many similar projects have you completed? Ask for examples of work like yours.
4. Can you provide recent client references? Confident designers offer these willingly.
5. What does your process look like start to finish? Understand stages, review points, and when you need to provide input.
6. Who will actually design my project? In larger firms, it may not be the person you met.
7. How many projects are you currently working on? Tells you about availability and attention.
8. How do you handle communication? Preferred methods, response times, review scheduling.
9. Written fee proposal with clear scope? Professional designers provide this before work begins.
10. Fee structure — fixed, hourly, or percentage? Fixed gives certainty. If hourly, get total estimate. See our guide on building designer costs for typical fees.
11. What additional costs beyond your fee? Engineering, survey, energy, council fees. Get the full picture.
12. What happens if scope changes? How additional work is charged and at what trigger point.
13. How do you consider construction costs during design? The critical question. “We design first, then the builder tells us the cost” = red flag. You want a designer who designs TO your budget.
14. Which builders do you work with? Established builder relationships benefit you through smoother construction.
15. Show me a sample set of working drawings? Not renders — actual construction documentation. Look for dimensions, specifications, details, and completeness.
For a comprehensive guide to finding the right professional, see our article on how to choose a building designer on the Gold Coast.
The right designer is qualified, experienced with your project type, transparent about fees, communicative, and knowledgeable about construction. These 15 questions help you find that person.
Design Science welcomes these questions. David Steadman holds QBCC licences in both Building Design and Building. Book a $280 consultation.
David Steadman
Licensed Builder & Building Designer
David Steadman is the founder of Design Science, a Gold Coast building design practice backed by over 30 years of hands-on construction experience. One of few Australians holding both a QBCC Builder's Licence and Building Designer licence, David brings a rare combination of design thinking and practical building knowledge to every project.
