Drafting and Design in Custom Building

The foundation of any successful building project is its plans. Whether constructing a home, a church, or the components of a building, plans serve as the roadmap for completion. 

Plans are created through two key processes -- drafting and design. 

Barden Building Products and our Independent Dealers offer both drafting and design services. We work with clients through each step to ensure their project is thoroughly reviewed and adequately planned before actual manufacturing or construction begins. 

 

Drafting Vs. Design

Though drafting and design are integral parts of bringing a project’s vision to reality, they’re not the same thing. Sometimes, the terms are used interchangeably. 

Design is the starting point of a project’s plans, and it gives a representation of what the finished product should look like.  Designs can be a basic outline of the project or provide more detail about its elements. 

Drafting is where a project’s designs become more technical and specific. Using the design, an architect or draftsman draws up blueprints and other materials that spell everything a manufacturer or builder needs to know to create the components of or construct the project. 

 

How the Drafting and Design Process Works With Barden Building Products 

Drafting and designing a project is a three-phased process that takes a team approach. 

Phase 1: Initial Design 

The client works with one of our Barden Independent Dealers to go over their project and begin laying it out. During this stage, the independent dealer and client discuss price and budget and how to align both. For custom home projects, this is when the future homeowner provides their wants and needs and develops a preliminary floor plan.

At the end of the design phase, the client and independent dealer produce a sketch of the intended finished piece. In custom home design, a completed design includes: 

  • A floor plan
  • Basic dimensions
  • Front elevation measurement 
  • A completed spec sheet

Project designs are reviewed multiple times by the client and independent dealer. The length of time it takes to develop an initial design for a client is largely driven by how confident they are with their needs and wants. Working with one of Barden's 100+ designs may streamline the process. A dealer may work with a typical client for a week or two before committing to the best layout to work with.

 

Phase 2: Preliminary Drafting

Once the design is agreed upon, the drawings and other details are turned over to our in-house drafting team to create a detailed rendering of the project. Clients are required to make a deposit, which may vary on the scope of the project. The deposit is refunded in the final bill. 

A preliminary draft provides a technical overview of a project, showing critical elements, such as: 

  • Layout 
  • Utility placement 
  • A materials list 
  • Exact dimensions 

A project’s preliminary draft is not considered final until the client says so. And they’re allowed to make revisions until they’re satisfied. And, while they're are allowed to make revisions until they are satisfied, excessive changes or starting over with a new design may require additional deposits.

 

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Phase 3: Final Plans

After the last revisions are made and the client signs off on the latest draft version, our in-house team creates the final plans. For custom-built homes, the final plans also include basement design and structural drawings.

Clients typically can expect final plans within 10 days of approving the preliminary draft. The plans will be stamped later in the process (where required) and used to pull the necessary building permit.

 

After Drafting and Design: What Happens Next?

With final plans in hand, the dealer and client can firm up quotes, select subcontractors and vendors, and finalize the budget to submit for financing. They can get to work on other elements of the project, such as securing permits and scheduling what work needs to take place. 

In the meantime, the team at North American Truss (NAT)  – our manufacturing division – gets to work building the prefabricated structural components of the custom home, including: 

  • Wall panels
  • Roof trusses
  • Floor trusses 

Components of our Fast Track Framing System for panelized construction, NAT building products are made to order and delivered to the job site according to the project’s schedule. 

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Have a project you’re ready to bring to life?

Let’s get to work! Contact us to start drafting and designing your project today.
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