Average Prices for House Plans
The cost of drawing up a house plan depends on the project's scope, the type of pro you’ve hired, and the amount of time it takes to complete the blueprints.
Drafting fees run anywhere from $0.40 to $3 per square foot. Architects charge more, from $1.25 to $5 per square foot and sometimes up to $10 per square foot. For a new construction set of plans, architectural fees typically run at the higher end of the spectrum.
Drafting Service Hourly Rates
These services usually run $50 to $130 per hour on average. A typical project takes 10 to 13 hours to complete, though larger complex and commercial projects take far longer.
Freelance Drafting Rates
Rates vary significantly due to freelancer experience levels and location but are typically $50 to $150 per hour. Many freelancers charge a flat rate for a full project, which is usually an average of roughly $1,750.
New Build Drafts
New build blueprints typically cost more than home additions plans, depending on the scope of the project, because starting from scratch requires a lot more work. In general, expect custom plans to add $2,000 to $20,000 to the cost of building a new home.
Alterations
Alterations to approved plans run anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on how in-depth and complex the changes are. It’s best to submit all ideas and revisions to your pro before approving the final plans and moving ahead with construction to save on costs of changes like these.
As-Built Drawing & Survey Costs
An “as-built” set of plans refers to the existing building before any construction is performed, whereas the proposed set of plans is the scope of work. The as-builts are used as a benchmark for where the building begins so that the architect can then give a demolition plan, framing plan, and foundation plan. More robust projects will also have a set of mechanic, electrical, and plumbing plans as well.
“However, most residential projects don't require such extensive detail,” says Ezra Laniado, Angi Expert Review Board member and Owner, Landmark Construction & Development Group, Inc.” Also, unless the contractor is part of a design-build firm, seldomly do the contractors provide any plans; they would include as-builts. If a contractor includes plans in their price, they usually will contract that out to a licensed architect.)
From the as-builts, an architect can create an official record drawing. This is the final version of the building as constructed. These plans are useful for future owners of the home who want to make structural changes, like an addition or remodel.
For older buildings with no known up-to-date plans, getting an as-built survey runs anywhere from $0.40 to $2.50 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the building, its size, and the level of detail you need. However, this is usually for commercial properties as homeowners have little reason to do these.