Isn’t it necessary to hire a licensed architect to draw your house plans for permit approval?

No, it isn’t always necessary.

You can have a draftsman assemble building plans for your residential project, as long as these conditions are met:

• It is a residential structure.

• It consists of wood frame construction.

• It is no more than two stories.

• There are no more than four units in the structure.

Unlike an architect, however, a draftsman is typically not authorized to independently draw and submit plans for commercial buildings unless he is working in direct conjunction with a licensed architect who is required to review and sign off on those plans before they can be considered valid.

What is the Price Difference Between a Draftsman and an Architect?

The price difference can be significant.

The primary reason for the price differential between architects and draftsmen services lies in the scope and complexity of their respective roles. Architect fees are usually two to three times higher than draftsman fees because architects offer more detailed support throughout the project. Their involvement extends from working with government agencies and ensuring code compliance to helping clients choose materials and fixtures. Often the architect will function as the liaison between engineers, contractors, inspectors, and the client. And sometimes the architect is called upon to assume a higher level of involvement in the construction supervision.

Generally, architects charge about 5 to 10 percent of the total construction cost, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on project size and complexity. In contrast, draftsmen focus on creating the drawings needed for permits, allowing clients a greater degree of design autonomy while avoiding the higher costs associated with architects.

How can I be sure that you are capable of drawing my plans?

I have been involved in the construction industry for 40 years, and drafting plans for almost as long. I graduated from Clemson University in 1995 with a degree in Architecture and have been working closely with architects and engineers on projects of all sizes.