Drawings
Architectural Drafting Services
Complete, permit-ready architectural drafting services for residential and commercial construction projects.
Overview
Architectural drafting is the production of scaled, dimensioned construction drawings, floor plans, elevations, sections, site plans, and the supporting details and notes a building department requires to issue a permit. It is distinct from architectural design: drafting takes a defined scope, whether that is a sketch, an existing drawing set, or a written description, and turns it into the technical drawing set a plan checker can review and a contractor can build from. We provide architectural CAD drafting services designed for real-world permit approval. Every drawing package is built to the specific submission requirements of the applicable jurisdiction: all required plan sheets, code compliance notes, and coordinated documentation produced to clear plan check without unnecessary correction cycles. Whether the project is a single-family addition, a ground-up commercial building, or an ADU, the drawings are prepared to the standard the building department expects.
Before delivery, every set goes through an internal review against the jurisdiction's submission checklist: dimensions are cross-checked between sheets, code references are verified against the currently adopted edition, and file formats are confirmed against what the specific building department accepts for upload or in-person submission. That review step is standard on every engagement, not a paid add-on.
Why It Matters
One of the most common reasons projects get delayed during plan review is incomplete construction documentation. Missing sheets, uncoordinated details, or drawings that do not address jurisdiction-specific requirements send packages back for corrections that cost time and schedule. A single correction cycle on a residential permit commonly adds two to six weeks to a project timeline, depending on the jurisdiction's plan check queue, on top of the cost of producing the corrected sheets. A professionally prepared architectural drawing set addresses the code requirements specific to the jurisdiction and gives plan checkers a set that is straightforward to approve from the first submission, which is the single highest-leverage step in the entire permit process.
Software
AutoCAD / Revit
File Formats
PDF, DWG, RVT
Typical Turnaround
7-10 Days
Revisions
Included
States Served
40+
Architectural drafting cost starts around $2,500 for a standard permit-ready drawing package. Final architectural drafting pricing depends on project size, how much design work already exists, whether you are starting from a sketch or a full set of existing drawings, and the jurisdiction, since local cost of living and code complexity both move the number. See the pricing estimator for a tailored number, or request a proposal for a firm quote.
How It Works
The process, step by step.
Site and Document Review
We review existing drawings, surveys, photos, or field measurements available for the project, along with any jurisdiction-specific submission requirements that affect sheet format and content.
Base Drawing Production
Floor plans, elevations, sections, and the site plan are drafted in CAD to scale, with all dimensions, structural elements, and existing conditions established before code annotations are added.
Code and Compliance Annotation
Applicable code sections, zoning notes, energy compliance references, and accessibility requirements are added directly to the drawings, coordinated with any required compliance forms.
Internal Review and Delivery
Every sheet is checked for dimensional accuracy, cross-reference consistency, and completeness against the jurisdiction's submission checklist before the set is delivered in your required file formats.
Deliverables
What's included.
Every engagement includes the following deliverables. Scope is confirmed at intake based on project requirements and jurisdiction.
Floor Plans
Dimensioned floor plans for all levels, including existing and proposed conditions where required by the jurisdiction.
Elevations
Exterior building elevations showing all facades, heights, finish materials, and opening locations.
Building Sections
Cross-sections demonstrating structural assembly, ceiling heights, and floor-to-floor dimensions.
Site Plan
Site layout showing setbacks, property lines, access, drainage, and utility connections.
Details and Notes
Construction details, material callouts, applicable code sections, and jurisdictional compliance notes.
Title Sheet
Project identification, code summary, scope of work, applicable codes, and complete sheet index.
Schedules and Legends
Door, window, and finish schedules along with drawing legends and symbol keys referenced throughout the set.
Digital File Delivery
Print-ready PDF for submission plus native DWG or RVT files for your own records or for contractor use.
Delivered In
- PDF (Print-Ready)
- DWG (AutoCAD)
- RVT (Revit)
- IFC (BIM Exchange)
Designed For
Who this service is for.
This service is structured to support the following project roles and client types.
General Contractors
Need a complete permit set before pulling a building permit on a residential or commercial project.
Property Owners
Managing ADU additions, garage conversions, room additions, or remodel permits.
Licensed Architects
Require production drafting support for overflow projects or smaller permit-required scopes.
Real Estate Developers
Building residential or commercial projects and need permit-ready documentation on a professional timeline.
Frequently Asked
Common questions.
- How much does architectural drafting cost?
- Architectural drafting cost typically starts around $2,500 for a standard permit-ready drawing package. The final price depends on project size, how much design work already exists, and the jurisdiction. Use the pricing estimator for a tailored figure.
- How long does architectural drafting take?
- Typical turnaround is 7 to 10 business days for a standard permit-ready package, starting once the project scope and any existing drawings or field measurements are received. Larger or more complex projects, and rush timelines, are quoted individually.
- What is included in a permit set?
- A permit-ready set typically includes a title sheet, floor plans, elevations, building sections, a site plan, construction details and notes, and required schedules. See Permit Set Preparation for how we assemble the complete jurisdiction-specific package.
- What software do you use for architectural drafting?
- We draft primarily in AutoCAD and Revit, and can work in the format your project or jurisdiction requires. Revit is used for projects that benefit from BIM coordination; AutoCAD covers straightforward 2D permit sets.
- What file formats do you deliver?
- Print-ready PDF for submission, plus native DWG or RVT files if you need editable drawings for your own records or for a contractor's use.
- Do I need a licensed architect, or can a drafter do it?
- It depends on the project. Architectural drafting produces the technical drawings a building department requires, but it does not include the licensed design services, stamped structural engineering, or code interpretation that require a licensed architect or engineer. Many jurisdictions allow non-structural residential drawings to be prepared by a qualified drafting service; we confirm the requirement for your specific project during jurisdiction research.
- What is the difference between drafting and design?
- Design is the creative and technical process of developing a building's layout, form, and systems, typically the work of a licensed architect or designer. Drafting takes a defined scope, whether a sketch, an existing plan, or a written description, and produces the scaled, dimensioned construction drawings a building department and contractor need. Drafting does not include design decision-making.
- Can you draft from a sketch?
- Yes. We work from hand sketches, existing drawings, field measurements, or a written scope description. For renovation and addition projects, we can also produce the as-built existing conditions drawings first if none exist.
- Do you work in my state?
- Yes. We serve clients in 40+ states, with primary markets in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. Every drawing package is built around the specific requirements of the applicable local building department, regardless of location.
- How many revision rounds are included?
- Revisions during the initial drafting phase are included as part of the engagement. If a jurisdiction issues plan check corrections after submission, that is handled as a separate city comments response engagement.
- What scale and sheet size do you use?
- Drawings are produced at the scale and sheet size the specific jurisdiction requires for the project type, typically 1/4" or 1/8" scale on 24x36 or 30x42 sheets for permit submission, confirmed during jurisdiction research.
- Do you provide structural engineering with architectural drafting?
- No, but we coordinate directly with your structural engineer of record to integrate their drawings into the architectural set. See Structural Coordination for that service.
- Can I use this service if I already have a licensed architect?
- Yes. Licensed architects and designers regularly use our architectural drafting services for production support, overflow capacity, or smaller permit-only scopes where a full design engagement is not required. The architect retains design authority and stamps the drawings where required; we produce the CAD drawings to their specifications.
- Do you handle commercial as well as residential architectural drafting?
- Yes. We produce architectural drafting for both residential projects, additions, ADUs, garage conversions, remodels, and commercial work, including tenant improvements, ground-up commercial buildings, and mixed-use development, across the jurisdictions we serve.
Continue Exploring
Related services.
- Permitting
Permit Set Preparation
Permit Set Preparation Services Built Around Real Building Department Requirements
- Coordination
Structural Coordination
Architectural and structural drawings coordinated into one permit-ready package through professional structural coordination services.
- Review
Code and Compliance Review
Pre-submission review to catch compliance issues before plan check.