With all the different types of projects drafters work on, you may not realize that residential drafting is a specific type of drafting. In short, residential drafting is simply creating a blueprint for a house, apartment, condo, townhome, or other structure that isn’t a commercial-use property. Therefore, the residence must be designed to meet a specific standard of living, such as proper ventilation and indoor plumbing. The drafter must take into consideration that people will eventually live in the structure and that the possibility of environmental damage exists.
Residential drafters utilize architectural design as well as CAD (computer-assisted drafting) software to create blueprints of residential structures. Working under the supervision of architects and engineers, they may be asked to draft several versions of technical building plans for review by the architect, the engineer, and the client. Most of their work is completed on a computer, but they may occasionally have a need to visit a work site, depending on the project.
Required Education
For the person interested in becoming a residential drafter, they need, at a minimum, an associate’s degree. Most of these programs are available at technical and community colleges. Coursework includes CAD, drawing, estimating, and construction, as well as civil design and structural concepts. These degree programs focus on the practical application of design and drafting principles.
Some positions will require a bachelor’s degree. However, experience is not necessarily required to begin working as a residential drafter if you have the education.
The American Design Drafting Association also offers certification. It’s not a requirement but is probably a good idea for a competitive edge in the job market. Certification helps demonstrate one’s drafting skills and increases opportunities for employment. Because drafting is a competitive field, certification recognizes knowledge in your field including an understanding of residential drafting.
Residential Drafting for the Homeowner
For the prospective homeowner, it can be long time between deciding on building a new home and moving into the completed home. This is especially true in Maui, where there are multiple building codes, environmental considerations, and other requirements before building begins.
When you’re ready to start, your first step should be to visit an architect, who will begin the process of creating the plans for your new home. Once you and your architect have come to an agreement on what your home will eventually look like, the next step is to draw (or have drawn) building plans.
The term “drafting” refers to creating a technical drawing that shows how the residence will be constructed. Residential drafting is creating the drawings and plans for home construction. This can also include remodeling, room additions, and things like patios, ohanas, and other additions to an existing residence.
When the drafting process is complete, you’ll find that the product called “house plans,” or “drawing packages” consists of multiple views. These will include elevator views, foundation plans, roof plans, and floor plans. They also include interior elevations, electric, section views, and electrical drawings to show more features and details.
Because house plans are very detailed, they can be used for obtaining quotes from builders, acquiring the required building permits, and eventually used by the general contractor for the construction of the residence.
Until construction begins, changes in these plans can be made easily to all the drawings. However, the farther along the drawing packages are, the more complicated and costly any changes may become.
However when you work with an architectural drafting firm, you’ll work with someone who will be with you every step of the way and help make the process easier.
Let Pro Draft Take Care Of All Your Drafting Needs
If you’re interested in building or renovating a family home or a commercial property, Pro Draft is ready to help with residential drafting, architecture, drawings, blueprints, permits, and to answer all of your questions before the first day of construction. We’re happy to help and will work to ensure your project is exactly the way you envision.
We are also ready to work with contractors on nearly any type of building project. From CAD drawings to permits and rendering, we’ll make sure that your next project is successful.
Call Pro Draft today at (808) 579-9050 or 1-800-499-4699 from the Mainland
