How to Choose Outsource Drafting Services That Produce Accurate Drawings?

Since the number of firms for drafting services is multiplying, it is now harder to determine how to choose architectural outsourcing drafting services. Just consider a company’s working method, reputation, and resources. These factors indicate whether a drafting service is worth your money. In the article, we will briefly introduce outsourced drafting services first. Afterward, we will review all the factors to consider before hiring an outside drafter.

What Are Outsourced Drafting Services?

Drafting is the process of creating detailed drawings that depict a structure’s shape, size, and form. The drawings are produced with specialized software such as AutoCAD or SketchUp and provide an accurate design representation. Drafting is key to effectively communicating an architect’s or designer’s vision to clients and team members.

Outsourcing drafting services typically means an organization contracts with a third-party firm for its drafting needs. These third-party service providers are local or international and offer CAD drawing, 3D modeling, and animation services. Businesses outsource drafting tasks to get their work done more efficiently and accurately by experienced professionals.

The Best Way to Choose a Drafting Outsourcing Firm

Over the past few years, the number of outsourcing drafting firms has increased dramatically. Thus, picking one of them can take a lot of work.

What’s even more concerning is that you might fall victim to scammers. To prevent that, here is an in-depth guide to finding a drafting firm you can trust.

Consider Working Methods

The way a company manages CAD designs matters a lot. In today’s market, drafting services are abundant. Unfortunately, not all of them adhere to a systematic and planned approach. Hence, make sure you are familiar with the procedures of the company you are interested in. Aside from their approach, transparency is also crucial. Here are three essentials to ensure that a drafting service is transparent −

• Prompt and clear communication
• Effective tracking
• Reporting methods

Examine the Service Provider’s Background

People tend to rush into selecting CAD drafting partners. They need to recognize that vendors are hired long-term, not just temporarily. If you pick a company that needs to do a background check, the quality of your CAD output may take a hit. Therefore, check the company’s history to see its skills and experience. Please take a look at their portfolio for examples of their past work. In addition, look for customer testimonials to determine the quality of their services. Last but not least, verify their certifications and licenses as well.

Learn about Tools and Materials

One of the most vital things to consider is the tools and materials a drafting firm possesses. It must be equipped with up-to-date engineering software, including AutoCAD. Access to the latest resources, such as material libraries and competition databases, is also indispensable.

Keep in mind that the right tools and resources facilitate the production of well-crafted documents and drawings.

Match Deadline Policies

The process of drafting a project is time-consuming. Thus, ensure that the vendor notifies you when each phase is complete and delivers your assignment on schedule.Furthermore, ask your service provider how they outline an entire project. It gives you a good idea of their ability to handle time-sensitive tasks. They should also be flexible with last-minute changes.

Analyze the Pricing Model

While you don’t want to compromise quality for cost, you shouldn’t overpay either. Sadly, many firms charge excessive hidden fees that make clients hesitant to outsource drafting services again.

Therefore, request a thorough breakdown of all costs from the vendor. Additionally, ensure you understand the payment terms, including whether you will pay an hourly or flat rate. A wise way to find the most cost-effective deal is to compare the pricing structures of different companies.

Benefits of Architectural Drafting Services Outsourcing

Ever wondered why outsourcing drafting services has grown exponentially? It is because they offer several distinct advantages over traditional solutions. The following three benefits explain why many prefer to outsource their drafting work.

Saves Time

As we mentioned earlier, drafting and 3D modeling require a lot of time. However, when you outsource these tasks, you’ll get them done much faster. In case you didn’t know, an agency works only on one drafting assignment at a time. As a result, your project is ready on time. You can put this time to use on core operations, like construction and planning.

Meets International Standards

Structural engineering plays a significant role in engineering designs. And what makes a structural model stand out? That’s right, and it’s all about accuracy. A reputed outsourcing partner can achieve this precision level due to their compliance with ASME, DIN, and ANSI design standards.

Reduces Costs

Another reason outsourcing CAD services has increased is their cost-saving benefits. You see, if you hire people on a full-time basis, expenses will skyrocket. Even the most committed individual needs at least a year to master technical skills. Meanwhile, they will receive full-time pay, bonuses, and annual and sick leave. On the other hand, if you contract to draft to a vendor, you’ll save a lot of money because they already have employees, office space, and other equipment.

Drawbacks of Outsourcing Drafting Services

Outsourced drafting services have certainly evolved over the years. But it could be more flawless. Let’s talk about three disadvantages of such services – 

Hidden Cost

One of the biggest downsides of outsourcing drafting jobs is the hidden costs. Sometimes vendors will need to provide a comprehensive pricing breakdown. And as the project progresses, they gradually begin to ask for hidden fees, most likely referred to as setup fees, technology licensing fees, etc. You can avoid hidden fees if you carefully review the contract documents beforehand.

Not Enough Data Security

We already discussed how important it is to check the background of the drafting company you intend to work with. Vendors who commit fraud can steal your confidential data and profit from it. Hence, it is advisable to conduct a background check on the company and determine if it has a good reputation.

Lack of Control

When you outsource drafting services, you are entrusting your work to a third-party. They may not be as committed to quality as your in-house team would have been. The lack of control can cause your CAD projects to not progress as planned and the quality to suffer. Moreover, if the third-party falls short of your expectations, there isn’t much you can do.

Frequently Asked Question About How to Choose Outsource Drafting Services

We have compiled a few relevant queries that often people have to further clarify outsourcing drafting services. 

How much do outsourced drafting services cost?

The cost varies according to the services offered, such as 3D modeling, CAD drawing, or engineering design. We estimate the average hourly rate to be between $100 and $150. The fee may also change based on the project’s complexity and the company’s experience.

What documents and drawings can I expect from an outsource drafting service?

You can obtain hand-drawn drafts, site maps, and blueprints from an outsourced drafting service. Sometimes, you may receive 3D models, CAD drawings, and other digital renderings.

How long does it take an outsourced drafting service to complete projects?

It usually takes three days to 2 weeks to complete a project’s first draft, which includes basic specifications and drawings. On the other hand, you can expect commercial projects to be completed within 2 to 10 months.

Final Words

Among tens of thousands of companies, you might need clarification about how to choose to outsource drafting services. To begin with, inquire about the company’s history and track record. Eventually, you will have to learn how they work and what resources they have. In this way, your search for a top-notch drafting partner will be over in no time.