Let's Talk About Drafting

Let's Talk About Drafting

Drafting is one of the most important part of the home building process. Having a way to view your home, far before it's built, is a valuable tool. You can change anything about your home, and have it reflected in the plan, so everyone included in the build process has access to the same information.

What is drafting?

     Everything that is manufactured or built has to start with a plan. Using CAD, or computer-aided design, we can make a plan for anything we have to build. Using CAD, we can quickly make accurate changes. We use drafting for your home. From the start of the project, we will create a preliminary plan based upon your requests or submitted drawings. Our team of experienced draftsman are experts in taking what you want in your home and making it functional, but more importantly to you, beautiful.

     Once we have the preliminary design done, you make any changes that you want. Since all of our drafting is done using AutoCAD, we can make your changes quickly and get them back to you so you can make any decisions on them. We also have the ability to show you multiple versions of your designed home for different options in siding materials, roofing materials, windows, decks, etc. This makes choosing a bit easier when it comes to the hard stuff.

What is the process when drafting?

     When we first receive a design agreement from a client, we will take all the information that you have provided us with, including plans, pictures, and written specifications, and draw the preliminary plans. If you have provided us with a specific shape and square-footage requirements, those are what our draftsman stick to. They will try to fit everything into the space you want, while keep the look as close as the original.

      We have to keep in mind that while drafting, we also have to make sure we're up to code on what we're putting in. That's why our draftsman have many code books, for wherever you may want to build, and check them frequently to make sure their following code and good practices. They also have to worry about making the structure work. So while designing your new beautiful home, they also have to take into account structural elements, plumbing, and other utilities.

     At any point during the design process, you're welcome to have a meeting with our design team to go over all specifics, rather than via email or phone. That way you can get all your ideas out in detail and be sure our team understands your needs and wants.

What is included in a Hamilton plan?

     What is included in our plans differs from job to job, depending on what is needed from the client. But typically what you'll find in a final plan from Hamilton are the front elevations, roof planes, code requirements for your building location, the first floor plan, fully labeled and dimensioned, a second floor plan if applicable with window and door schedules, required header schedule, fully engineered basement plan if applicable, a cross section, and sometimes a plot plan.

     That's a lot! But each is required to receive stamped plans. Hamilton sends our final plans out to a structural engineer who carefully goes over the plans and stamps them, ensuring that your home meets structural requirement. Once received, construction can begin! In addition to these plans, we also send site plans, which differ greatly. These have truss and wall layouts, floor deck layouts, and everything the builder will need to accurately assemble your new home. Our site plans make it easy for someone who hasn't worked with us before to know exactly what needs to happen.

Does this process sound like something you're looking for in your plan design? Hamilton's package can differ from person to person, so chances are we have what you're looking for. Whether it's just stamped plans, or framing, we can do it for you. Give Hamilton Building Services a call, or send an email over to marketing@hamiltonbuildingservices.com for more information and a free estimate!