Quote from a draftsman

I got a quote from draftsman $1650 for a 60m2 extension (ground floor, brick). The quote includes:
The final product that I will receive will have the following:
- Site Plan
- Existing floor plans with demolition notes
- Proposed Floor Plans
- Elevations
- 3D views
- Sectional Views
- Slab setout plans
- Blank Electrical plans with Key
- Construction notes and Tiedown specifications
All engineering will need to be arrange.
The plans include three rounds of preliminary changes.
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I have never done extension before so I don't have a lot of ideas about it, although I've done some research online. I would appreciate any comments (e.g., price, anything needs to be added to the drafting service).

 

That sounds very cheap.. I'd be concerned the drawings may end up lacking detail. Although the drafting process is pretty simple these days were they put it all into Revit and it spits out all the elevations/3D etc. and all the construction notes and tie down would be generic (not site specific).

You could ask for references (past clients), or get some more quotes?

 

Are you sure there shouldn't be another 0 at the end of that figure? $1,650 is incredibly cheap, I paid a bill this morning for that same amount for a surveyor to verify the garage on our build is compliant.

 

Oh ohhh....I think you're being ripped!

 

Count the number of drawings x 4hrs for each drawing x hourly rate is what I would guess. But then again Revit makes everything a lot easier.

A guy at work sketched up his plans, fairly detailed, 70m2 extension two floors, took it to a drafter paid $3k and that's with the drafter not have to think much about the details to produce those plans.

 

A few years ago, I paid a surveyor around $2,500 (from memory) to peg our boundary side fence. I think it was called an Identification Survey.

 

Hi VBPlease and others, thanks for the input.
yes, I did have a reference and the chap said he didn't have any issues.
I posted the quote here to ensure nothing is missing in the details of the quote and to ensure that's all I need to get the city council approval and for the construction (of course I need to get engineering done separately)
Thanks again

 

I think thats where the mixup in pricing is happening here.
Sometimes Drafties get together with Engineers and produce the one invoice.
Happend to me last year doing a deck addition.
Draftie never sent an invoice but the engineer did which incl. the drafties expense.
But geeze Pete.....you reckon another $10k should be added ?

 

I have another question here:
I am in Brisbane. I wonder if I need working drawings in order to apply for BCC approval or just use preliminary drawing.

 

What scale are the drawing going to be as 1:50 is more expensive than 1:100

 

Sounds cheap for "Architectural drawings", and Id suggest wouldn't include construction drawings (e.g. footings, trusses, wall framing, tie in details etc).

Going through the same process myself and cost will be around $6k inclusive of drawings for partial demolition, town planning and construction. Oh...and I ended up paying $880 for a Title Boundaries Re- survey to satisfy Building Surveyor that propsed garage wall really was in the correct location.

Architects quotes ranged from $14k (but had to retain their recommended builder...anyone else smell kickbacks??) To $25k.

Extension is 64m2 with a 30m2 attached garage.

 

Hi everyone, thanks for the posts above.
I just found out from the draftman that I have to find a plumber and electrician to do the drainage/plumbing plan and electrical plan and submit them to the council. I think the builder/contractor will have his own plumber and electrician during the construction, but I haven't had a contract with the builder yet. So, it's so confusing.

 

I think that's reasonable.
If you need an engineering done the drafty will just put a note as per Engineer detail. You then need to get an engineer to design the detail.

 

Did you say you were in Brissy? You don't need to submit any of that to council if you are and your extension adheres to the development code. If your build adheres to the code as far as setbacks, building heights etc go then you will only need to submit plans to a building certifier. You won't need to submit a plumbing or electrical plan either. It's surprisingly easy. I've just been through the process myself but had to get a siting variation from council before sending to building certifier as we wanted to go closer to one of the boundaries than allowed under the development code.

 

My designer charges $9/m2. Your price is not bad.

 

Did you have to get your neighbour's consent on the sitting variation?

 

Not their approval so much as council can still award the siting variation even if they object. You just need to get them to sign a form saying that they've viewed the plans and if the have any objections they can list them on the form.

 

Thanks, Chode.

 

I pay $1000 for that from a tier 1 surveyor in Perth. 62m boundary.

 

Oops. I forgot to mention that our boundary is 320+ metres.

So, $2,500 for my survey seems like fair value.