Building a new home, have sketched floor plan

[Duppers]

Took it to a builder to to the blueprints but we're being charged a considerable sum for "CAD Plan Cost" in addition to 16+ hours. This is for a one-story, 2-bedroom home.

Is the CAD plan cost now a standard charge? I cannot find any mention of it online anywhere.

Thanks!

[northoftheborder]

1. You have to have a set of building plans drawn by an architect or draftsman to build from.

This includes plans for all systems, electrical, plumbing, heating/AC, foundation plan, roof plan, etc.. Usually also includes site plan, and elevations (4). Plus details of kit. cabinets, other built in shelves or cabinets.

[Duppers]

3. This is our 3rd custom home.

So, we know. We worked with an architect before hiring a building 20yrs ago.

We never had to pay for the "CAD Plan Cost" *in addition to the hours*. All my online research only mentions hours, which we consider reasonable.
It's the "CAD Plan Cost" we're not understanding.

Thanks!

[Timewas]

2. What state? n/t

[Duppers]

4. TN

Rural Tennessee.

I know the costs vary per state. It's the "CAD Plan Cost" of $1800 that we're questioning, not the hours charged, which is a very reasonable $75 per hr.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I Googled the phrase, and found this:

Average CAD Service Costs. A typical drafting company will charge $100 to $120 per hour. Architects charge slightly more, averaging around $130 per hour. A typical A0 drawing of one type of a house will take about 8 hours to complete, which would cost between $800 and $1,040.

Hope it helps!

[Duppers]

6. Thanks, Miss Peggy.

I also found that. What hubs and I are questioning is the "CAD Plan Cost" of $1800 in addition to the reasonable $1650 for the hours. This is for a 1-story, 2 bedroom home.

I cannot find any mention anywhere of paying "CAD Plan Cost" in addition to the standard cost of the hours.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Oh, phooey! Sorry I couldn't help!

[Duppers]

8. Well, it's very sweet of you to try.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. ...

[liberal N proud]

10. Without drawing they are going to charge you

Some call it design cost, some call it engineering. If you had the drawing done by a professional, they shouldn't have a reason to charge for them.

The CAD part is the media, paper vs electronic file.

[FightingIrish]

11. I retired from architecture two years ago.

My firm starting using CAD in 1985, one of the first in our area. At that time CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) was a novelty and some firms billed it as an additional service even though we found it saved us time and money. It sounds like your builder is having to hire a CAD drafter and is adding that cost to whatever he is doing in house. That adds some ineffiency because the design and drafting are not simultaneous and some coordination is required. Based on what we budgeted for each sheet, sixteen hours seems very reasonable.

[Duppers]

12. The 16hrs has turned into 22+

The $1800 charge for the "CAD Plan Cost" is what we don't understand. What is it for?
It's on top of the hours charged.
Is it paying for software programming update, which they should already have? OR is it for one hard copy blueprint?

We took an online floor plan the builder had already built, hacked the bottom floor off, made some minor changes, and asked they they draw it up. Paid $3k upfront. But we have been asked for an addition $450 for 6 additional hrs with possibly more to come just for the modified CAD plans. Am I being unreasonable or too cheap?

On edit: the builder has no input at this point. All design work being done is by us and the CAD designer. She works for him tho.