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| Frequently Asked Questions | ||
| Who uses a drafting service? | ||
| What is the difference between an architect and a drafting service? | ||
| Will I need to submit plans for a remodel? | ||
| Where can I get plans for a custom home? | ||
| How about using the contractor to draw the plans? | ||
| How thorough do the plans have to be? | ||
| How much should I pay for house plans? | ||
| What do I need to start the process? | ||
| What's the bottom line? | ||
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| Do I need plans drawn? | ||
Anyone undertaking a construction project, regardless of size, needs to have a plan. Most municipalities require building permits, and require construction documents, detailing the extent and scope of the project, to obtain the permit.
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| Who uses a drafting service? | ||
Owners, developers, contractors, and architects turn to drafting services to prepare plans for various projects. These projects may range from a small remodel to custom home design.
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| What is the difference between an architect and a drafting service? | ||
Architects have a degree in architecture, pass a board examination, and are licensed by the state. Certified engineers and architects are the only ones who can certify the drawings. The final product of an architect and a drafting service may be similar, but qualifications and expertise can be different. Both architects and drafting services use certified engineers to certify the structural integrity of a building. If you have questions regarding someone who is claiming to be an architect, contact the AIA (American Institute of Architects) in your area.
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| Will I need to submit plans for a remodel? | ||
Most municipalities require plans of any proposed renovation work. The plans usually needs to include a site plan, at least a partial as-built plan showing that portion of the building that will be effected by the renovation, a demolition plan, and the proposed renovation. If you have questions about the requirements, contact your local building department. If your project does not require plans to be submitted for permitting, it is usually helpful to have an architect or drafter draw a set of plans and specifications to facilitate the construction process and reduce the potential for construction errors.
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| Where can I get plans for a custom home? | ||
Architectural Drafting Services: An architectural drafting service is an excellent source for custom plans. Experienced drafting companies will help you turn your dreams and ideas into reality. They will provide construction plans to meet your communities code requirements and enable you or your construction manager to solicit competitive bids so your dream home is created as you envisioned it. IMPORTANT: There may be restrictions on the size of a project a draftsperson or drafting service may work on. Some areas, like the State of Arizona, for example, require a registered architect or engineer stamp all plans for buildings over 3,000 square feet. Even if a registered engineer stamped the drawings, some municipalities still require stamped drawings from a registered architect as well. Check with you local building department. Architectural Drafting Services ® has a working relationship with several architects. Plan books: Plan books are a good source of house plans. They are generally less expensive than an architect or drafting firm. However, they are often not exactly what you want. Modifying a purchased plan to meet your needs, home owner associations restrictive covenants or situation on your site may involve copyright violations, so be sure this issue is adequately resolved prior to purchasing a plan. Check with your local building department to see if they will accept separate addendums to the plan if there is an issue of copyright infringement. Architects: They are a good source for design and technical advice and they usually provide a full spectrum of services.
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| Should I get the plans or the contractor first? | ||
Using a drafting service first: A drafting service can help with the design, produce the drawings, help develop the specifications, and coordinate the drawing development with engineers and others working on the project. A drafting service like Architectural Drafting Services ® can supply you with information guides that allow you to preselect all the amenities, i.e., cabinets, appliances, lighting and plumbing fixtures, etc... Developing all the plans and specifications first will allow you to solicit bids from several general contractors, all of whom, will be bidding using the same criteria. Our drawings are very clear and detailed which makes the bidding and construction process easier to manage and coordinate. Choosing a general contractor first: A contractor you know and trust can take much of the personal involvement out of the plan development process. They will take the responsibility of coordinating all the different aspects of the project with the drafting service. They know your budget and can help keep the project within it. Unlike an architect or drafting service, the cost of the plans is often not an up front cost.
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| How about using the contractor to draw the plans? | ||
| This can be an efficient way to go. The contractor knows your budget and what he can build within your budget. Because he will be doing the work, the construction documents do not need to be more than what is required by the local building department. However, there are drawbacks to this process. For one, you do not have the luxury of getting other project construction estimates. If the contractor doing the plan has a good reputation, it still maybe a good route to go.
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| How thorough do the plans have to be? | ||
| The construction documents are part of the contract you have with the contractor or subcontractors. Incorrect or missing information can lead to additional costs and delays. Also, when soliciting bids for your project, a well documented set of plans and specifications will aid in the bid comparison process. If information is unclear or missing, the contractor(s) may make assumptions which could cause the construction bids to vary widely. Inadequate information or incomplete drawings can significantly increase actual construction costs.
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| How much should I pay for house plans? | ||
A fair price is largely dependent on the size and complexity of your project. The more complex the project, the more you need competent, experienced people. It is always a good idea to request references and a list of other projects the bidders have worked on. Most offices should be able to let you look at a set of plans they have created so you can see if they contain the level of detail you want in your construction documents. Prices and quality vary greatly throughout the industry and the old adage "you get what you pay for" may apply to your selection.
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| What do I need to start the process? | ||
To get the process started all that is needed is a basic idea of what you want. This can be as simple as a verbal description, photographs, sketches, or a rough floor plan of what you are considering. To begin the actual design phase you should be prepared to supply: 1) The location of the property 2) A legal description as shown on the deed 3) What services are available (electricity, water, & sewer) 4) A basic idea of what you want in the house
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| What's the bottom line? | ||
Hire competent people with a wide range of experience. Consider the following: 1. A competent city plans examiner who has sufficient time to examine the submitted plans, will pick up on incomplete and/or incorrect information on the plans. 2. A competent contractor can catch incomplete and/or incorrect information overlooked by the plan developer and city plans examiner. 3. A competent city field inspector, who has sufficient time to look, can catch code or structural violations overlooked by all of the above. The bottom line: Starting out right means there is good chance things will stay right. Poor plans require extra diligence on the part of everyone associated with the project. |
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