Anyone work with CAD?

[Duppers]

If so, how do you charge for your work? Is it standard operating procedure to charge for the CAD plan cost in addition to the hours billed?

Thanks!

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. I have a friend who does CAD work

She bills by the hour and includes one hard copy of the plans. Additional copies cost more.

[Duppers]

2. Thanks!

We're being charged $1800 in addition to 22 hours est. at $1,650. This is for a one-story, 2-bedroom home. I'm not happy.

[ret5hd]

4. Are you obligated to use this particular architect?

I know one that's cheaper!

[Duppers]

9. Haha!

Yep, already obligated.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. $1800 just for a hard copy of the plans?

That's pretty steep IMHO, but whatever they were going to charge you should have been part of the original quote. Is this person a certified architect or just a CAD designer? An architect will generally charge 10% to15% of the finished cost of the construction. However, they only charged you $75 an hour (the $1650) which is pretty low.

[Duppers]

6. Just a CAD designer working from our floor plan sketches

Overall it's costing ~$3,450 for CAD plan drawings of a one-story, 2-bedroom plan.

We first went to an architect which quoted us a headspinning figure to do the plans. I was beyond upset. So, we were relieved when we went to a highly recommended builder who gave us a contract to sign for having the plans drawn.

We agree to (gulp) $1800 for the "CAD Plan Cost" PLUS another $1200 for 16hrs.

But now, the CAD designer called us and said that it'll take at least another 6hrs to finish the plans. This is in another state. I wrote and told her to "STOP." We thought the $3k was too much but charging us for additional hrs? We're thinking "will the building process nickel and dime us too?" We have not signed a contract to build the house. We've been searching another qualified, highly recommended builder...but without much luck.

Thanks for trying to help me.

[Duppers]

7. Yes, I know

$75 per hour is low.

I just realized that you're saying the the "CAD plan cost" is for printing out a blue print copy of the plans. Am I understanding you correctly?
We thought it was for a software cost...which any good designer should already have had. We didn't ask enough question obviously.

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. Yes, a good designer already has the software

But CAD software cost thousands of dollars, and the license has to be updated every year or 2. So they have to be able to recoup that cost. Honestly, I don't think what this person is charging is exorbitant for custom plans, but I can understand that you want want to limit the cost.

And yes, they will "nickel and dime" you during the building process. Having a home custom built is expensive. If you want something cheaper, you go buy a cokkie-cutter house in a new subdivision.

[Duppers]

12. Gotta point there. 😁

This will be our 3rd custom home. And yes, we're lucky as heck. And spoiled? My hubs' 10 yrs of working his ass off 7-days a week thru grad school made it possible. We sacrificed and pinched. Lived in Apts when others were buying homes and traveling. Folks here talk about concerts we couldn't afford to attend and music we couldn't afford to buy in our younger days. We waited until my late 30s to have our one kid.

It's still difficult to give up our frugality, even when paying for a 2 bedroom custom home on a beautiful mtn lot.

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. Sometimes you just have to look at it as "stimulating the economy"

It might be more than you were planning to spend, but IF they do a good job and IF you're getting exactly the design you want, then you can save money elsewhere, if necessary. This CAD designer isn't making out like a bandit on a gig that's netting her less than $4K. Just compare it to what the architect was going to charge you.

[Duppers]

15. Thank you!

The CAD gal works for the builder - this is really about trusting him. There are reasons to trust him and reasons we just don't like him.

Thanks for the shoulders shake and perspective. Exactly what was needed this weekend. We owes ya, TexasBushwacker. 🙏

[bighughdiehl]

3. How does one even get

freelance CAD work these days? i'm quite familiar with it, no degree though.

[Duppers]

8. You don't have to be degreed.

Designers advertise and work for builders.

[bighughdiehl]

10. Wish I knew

where to begin, the big catch in any field, I guess

[FSogol]

14. If you know autocad, call every architect and mep firm

(Mechanical, electrical, & plumbing) and ask if they need cad drafting help. The smaller the firm, the more likely they are to need cad drafters.

If you don't know autocad, take some courses. Most community colleges and adult education places offer them.