How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Floor Plan Designer? (2024)

The cost to hire a floor plan designer ranges between $800 and $2,700, or an average project cost of about $1,750. Rates start at $50 and go as high as $130 per hour for a draftsperson to draw up blueprints or a house plan. Plans for a three-bedroom house require at least 10 hours to complete, and typically cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

Architectural drafters or draftspersons draw blueprints for new homes, renovations and additions. They use CAD (computer-aided design) software to design the architectural plans and technical drawings necessary for the engineering and construction of the space. These services may be offered through architecture and design firms, or on a freelance basis by independent professionals.

Types of Floor Plans

For interior design or construction mock-ups, floor plan design software may be adequate. But construction and remodeling jobs typically require a set of blueprints drawn with CAD software.

Floor Plan Software

Building construction professionals and designers normally use floor plan software during the proposal and decision making phase of design. It lets them create a house plan in as little as two hours for a three-bedroom home. The software creates a 3D floor plan that the designer uses to build 2D and 3D renderings for the construction or design presentation.

It offers a faster, lower-cost alternative that is easy to change, but shows far less technical detail than CAD. DIYers can purchase a subscription-based software for about $20 per month.

CAD Blueprints

CAD software is much more detailed and requires about 10 hours to develop the floor plan of a similarly sized house. Architects and engineers use CAD software to create the technical drawings that provide the documentation required for construction. These plans are much more detailed and specific than those produced by basic floor plan software. CAD drawings are much more costly and are only needed after the design has been finalized. CAD software is not DIY friendly. If you need blueprints, hire a professional drafter.

Cost of Drafting Services

The cost of hiring a draftsman adds to the bottom line, but it is necessary whenever original blueprints are required. The final cost of drafting services is affected by the project size, complexity, plan requirements, tools used, timeframe and location. Costs double or triple in big cities compared to rural or suburban rates. The average cost of drafting services range from $800 to $2,700 to draw up blueprints for new construction, remodels or additions.

Hourly Rates for Architects

An architect is a licensed professional who has a four-year college degree, several years of professional training and has passed a grueling multi-part exam. This person has the training and expertise to perform design, drafting and engineering. Some licensed architects describe themselves as designers, but only licensed architects may claim that title. The cost to hire an architect ranges from $100 to $350 per hour.

Hourly Rates for Certified Drafters

A draftsperson or designer who is not a licensed architect can also design floor plans. They often work under the supervision of engineers or architects, but many offer their services on a freelance basis. Voluntary certification is available, but academic and professional experience vary significantly. It is important to review portfolios and check references before contracting a freelance designer draftsperson. Certified Drafter charges range from $80 to $150 per hour.

Hourly Rates for Freelance Drafters

Freelance rates vary widely due to experience and location. Rates range between $35 and $150 per hour. Some charge by the project, with fees mirroring the industry average at around $1,700.

Drafting Costs Per Square Foot

Because of wide variations in plan details, drafting costs per square foot also vary significantly. Fees for drafting services range from $0.50 to $3 per square foot. The cost for an architect runs from $1.25 to as much as $10 per square foot.

Blueprints

Architects and contractors use the printed floor plan, or blueprints, as a manual for building the project. They are used for developing the design ideas, communicating with clients, providing direction for the builder, recording completed work and making a record of the existing building. Blueprints are digital files, so the only added cost is for printing hard copies.

Printing Costs

The cost of printing ranges from $.06 to $25 per sheet. One or more hard copies may be included in the drafting fee. The average set of house blueprints has 10 sheets per level. A full set of prints includes all the sheets for the whole project. Technology has reduced, but not eliminated, the need for hard copy prints. Extra prints will cost more.

• Paper sheets run $0.05 to $8.50 per sheet
• Waterproof Tyvek sheets cost $3 to $20 per sheet
• Bindings and covers add $2 to $20 per set
• Sizes range from 8.5-by-11 inches to 36-by-48 inches

Cost of Alterations

Once the plan has been approved, changes cost between $400 and $2,500, depending on the details. Be sure to communicate well with your pro, and submit all ideas and revisions before final approval.