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mariah_h69

As built -- 3D rendering - My dilemma

4 years ago

Hi all, I am remodeling my house on a super tight budget and would appreciate some help with creating the as-built drawing of my house. Architects charge a few thousand dollars for as-built, which I cannot afford. I am thinking about working with drafters, but I have never worked with drafters and not sure about the quality of their work. They usually charge around 50% of architects. And, finally, I have worked with 3D laser measuring tools and I have worked with AutoCAD. I am very comfortable with software ...though it will definitely take much longer if I do it and I am worried there might be nuances that in this process that I am not aware of... what do you suggest?

Comments (9)

  • 4 years ago

    Permits do not require 3D anything. Just an as built and the proposed changes, stamped appropriately. You are going to have to hire out for the plans. No time like the present.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Thanks Verbo. Are you suggesting that I do the 3D myself? I like to have the 3D CAD file to give it to my architect to work on the schematic design. Architects charge a few thousand dollars for as-built CAD. Drafters are almost half the price but I have never worked with them so I am not sure if I should hire a drafter. And if I do that myself, I am worried I might not know all the details that should go into it.
    Have you worked with a drafter? Any suggestions on hiring one?

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Would an architect do anything more than your as built plan?


    Why are you reluctant to use a drafter?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    The architect will do the schematic design and if I decide to continue with them, they’ll do the build too.
    Re drafter, I don't know about the quality of their work merely because of my lack of knowledge. Hence my question in this post. Any advice?

  • 4 years ago

    Why are you hung up on the unnecessary 3D aspect. You need standard conventional services. Not added of floof.

  • 4 years ago

    Could you say a little more Verbo? Could you please elaborate on "standard conventional services"? What are those? All design firms need a CAD file to do the schematic design and further steps. Are you saying it is possible to do my remodeling without a CAD file? My house requires structural changes so it's not a GM/contractor project.

  • 4 years ago

    You made good points. Regarding money, I will do a lot of work myself. I’ll do the demo, most of flooring, painting, sound proofing, etc. This would allow me to use my budget for structural changes that require hiring professionals.
    But what you wrote about my architect may find problems with someone else’s as-built, is what I was worried about. Thanks

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    No one needs any 3D anything for any of this. Plain flat paper plans are what get filed for the permits, used by the lumber yard and window supplier, and used by the foundation contractor, framers, and roofers. Etc. . Getting hung up on 3D renderings for anything is a ridiculous homeowner thing for someone who has zero visualization skills. It is NOT needed, and is counter productive to the process of actual space planning for someone who does have that innate space visualization skill. Like an architect. It’s a crutch for the homeowner that fixates on them prematurely for bad designs that should be cast aside. Theres nothing worse than a homeowner with software skill but no design skill.