10 Questions People Ask Before Hiring a Drafting Firm (Answered Honestly)

Every week we talk to homeowners who are starting the process of planning a project — an ADU, a garage conversion, a home addition, a remodel — and they all have the same questions. The same uncertainties. The same things they are not sure about.

So we put together this list of the 10 questions we hear most often, and we are answering them as honestly as we can. No sales pitch. Just the real answers.

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1. Do I need an architect or can I use a drafting firm?

This is the most common question, and the answer depends on your project.

For most residential projects in California, you do not need a licensed architect. California law allows drafting professionals and designers to prepare permit plans for:

• Single-family homes (with some size limitations)
• ADUs and JADUs
• Garage conversions
• Home additions
• Remodels
• Fire restoration rebuilds

A licensed architect is required for:

• Commercial buildings
• Multi-family buildings over a certain size
• Projects with complex structural engineering requirements that exceed what a structural engineer can stamp separately

For the vast majority of residential projects in Greater Sacramento, a qualified drafting firm with access to a licensed structural engineer (for calculations and stamps when required) is exactly what you need — and typically costs 30–50% less than a full architectural firm.

At Liberty Drafting Studios, David Ardelian holds a master's degree in structural engineering. This means we handle structural design in-house rather than outsourcing it, which saves time and money.

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2. How much do plans cost?

Drafting costs for residential projects in California typically range from $1.30 to $2.50 per square foot of the project area, depending on project type and complexity.

Rough ranges for common project types:

Project Type	Typical Range
ADU / JADU	$1.80–$2.50/sq ft
Garage Conversion	$1.30–$1.80/sq ft
Home Addition	$1.60–$2.20/sq ft
Custom Home	$1.80–$2.50/sq ft
Major Remodel	$1.40–$2.00/sq ft
Fire Restoration	$1.30–$1.80/sq ft
As-Built Drawings	Flat fee by sq ft

Use our free online calculator to get an instant estimate for your specific project — no email required.

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3. How long does it take to get permit-ready plans?

At Liberty Drafting Studios, our standard turnaround is 10–15 business days for most residential projects. Rush service is available.

This is the time from when we have all the information we need (site visit completed, project scope confirmed) to when we deliver permit-ready plans.

After you submit plans to the building department, plan check takes an additional 3–8 weeks depending on the jurisdiction and project complexity. We manage that process for you.

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4. What information do you need from me to get started?

To prepare permit-ready plans, we typically need:

• Your address — we pull the assessor's parcel map, zoning information, and any existing permits on record
• A site visit — we measure the existing structure and document existing conditions
• Your project goals — what you want to build, any specific requirements or preferences
• Any existing plans — if you have original plans for the house, they are helpful (but not required)

That is it. We handle the rest — research, design, drafting, Title 24 energy compliance, structural calculations, and permit submittal.

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5. Will my project get approved? What if the plans are rejected?

Plan check corrections are normal — most projects receive at least one round of corrections before approval. This is not a rejection; it is a request for clarification or revision on specific items.

At Liberty Drafting Studios, we respond to plan check corrections within 3–5 business days as standard practice. We have submitted hundreds of projects to Sacramento-area building departments and we know what the plan checkers look for.

If a project has a genuine code compliance issue — a setback violation, a zoning restriction, an HOA restriction — we identify it before submittal and work with you on solutions. We do not submit plans we know will be denied.

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6. Do I need to hire a contractor before I get plans?

No. In fact, we recommend getting your plans done first, then getting contractor bids.

Here is why: contractors bid on plans. Without plans, a contractor can only give you a rough ballpark. With permit-ready plans, you can get accurate, apples-to-apples bids from multiple contractors — which gives you negotiating power and protects you from surprises.

Many of our clients get plans first, then use those plans to get 2–3 contractor bids before choosing who to hire for construction.

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7. What is included in "permit-ready plans"?

A complete permit submittal for a residential project typically includes:

• Site plan — shows the lot, all structures, setbacks, utilities
• Floor plans — dimensioned plans of all levels
• Exterior elevations — all four sides of the building
• Building sections — cross-sections showing structural assembly
• Foundation plan — footing sizes, reinforcement, details
• Roof framing plan — structural layout of the roof
• Electrical plan — panel location, circuits, outlets, lighting
• Mechanical plan — HVAC equipment and ductwork
• Plumbing plan — fixture locations, drain and supply routing
• Title 24 energy compliance — California's energy code documentation
• Structural calculations — when required by the building department

Everything needed to pull a permit. Nothing missing.

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8. Can I make changes to the design after we start?

Yes, within reason. Minor changes during the drafting process are normal and expected. Major scope changes — adding a second story, changing the footprint significantly — may require a revised fee and timeline.

The best way to avoid change costs is to be clear about your goals at the start. We spend time upfront understanding exactly what you want before we begin drafting.

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9. Do you handle the permit process, or do I have to do that myself?

We offer full permit coordination — we submit the plans, track the status, respond to corrections, and communicate with the building department on your behalf. You do not have to deal with the building department at all if you do not want to.

This service is especially valuable for homeowners who are busy, who live out of the area, or who are managing a complex project with multiple moving parts.

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10. What happens if construction costs more than expected? Can the plans be changed?

Yes. If your contractor identifies a change during construction — a field condition that requires a design modification, a material substitution, a scope addition — we can prepare revised plans or plan addenda as needed.

We also work with homeowners who want to make changes mid-project. As long as the changes comply with the approved permit, minor modifications can often be handled as field changes. Significant changes require a plan revision and re-submittal.

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Ready to Get Started?

If you have a project in mind and want to know what it will cost and how long it will take, the fastest way to find out is our free online calculator. Enter your project type and square footage and get an instant estimate.

Or call David directly at 916-694-9949. We serve Greater Sacramento and within 100 miles.

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Have a question that is not on this list? Call us or use the contact form at liberty-drafting.com/contact — we answer every inquiry.