CAD Drafting Services: What They Include and How to Choose
CAD drafting services turn designs, sketches and survey information into accurate technical drawings that contractors, fabricators and building authorities can use. They include 2D drafting, 3D modelling, converting paper or PDF drawings into CAD files, preparing shop drawings and updating drawings when designs change. Many firms outsource this work to a dedicated drafting team to add capacity without hiring.
By Fayez 5 min read
What do CAD drafting services include?
- 2D drafting. Plans, sections, elevations and details, produced to your standards.
- 3D modelling. Models of buildings, structures or parts, used for design checks and visualisation.
- CAD conversion. Turning paper drawings, scans or PDFs into editable CAD files, or converting 2D sets into BIM models.
- As-built drawings. Drawings that record a building as it stands, from surveys, sketches or point-cloud data.
- Shop drawings. Detailed drawings for fabrication and installation, including structural and rebar detailing.
- Revisions and mark-ups. Updating drawings after design changes, comments or site feedback.
- BIM modelling. Coordinated models in Revit with levels of detail from LOD 100 to 500. See our BIM modelling and coordination services.
Who uses CAD drafting services?
Architects, structural and MEP engineers, contractors, fabricators, surveyors and developers all use them. The common reason is capacity: drafting work rises and falls with projects, and a team that can be added or reduced is easier to manage than a fixed in-house group.
What are the main ways to buy CAD drafting?
- Per drawing or per project. A fixed price for a defined scope. Suits one-off jobs with clear requirements.
- Hourly. You pay for time used. Flexible, but harder to predict.
- Dedicated team. Named drafters on a monthly rate, working in your templates and systems. Suits steady work. At OEG, one monthly rate per person covers salary, employment costs, equipment and account management, with no recruitment fee and no minimum term. See the dedicated CAD and BIM team model.
How do you choose a CAD drafting provider?
- Check the software. Do they work in the tools you use, such as AutoCAD, Revit or Navisworks, and in the version you need?
- Ask about standards. Can they work to your templates, layers and drawing conventions?
- Ask to see real work. Look for named projects and measurable results. One example is our King Salman Park case study.
- Understand quality control. Who checks drawings before they reach you, and how are errors corrected?
- Meet the people. You should be able to interview the drafters who will work on your project.
- Read the contract. Look for an NDA, IP assignment, notice period and what happens if someone is not the right fit.
- Check the time zone. Make sure working hours overlap enough for questions and reviews.
What should you send before drafting starts?
A complete brief prevents most rework. Send source drawings or sketches, your standards or template, the deliverables you need, the scope and a single contact. Our guide on how to brief a CAD drafter lists everything, and CAD file formats explained shows which files to send and ask for.
How is quality controlled?
- A clear checklist for each drawing: units, scale, layers, title block and dimensions.
- A review by someone other than the person who drew it.
- A first-sheet review with you, so the pattern is right before the rest is drawn.
- A measurable result where possible. On the King Salman Park structural shop drawings, 954 of 973 were approved on first review by the main contractor.
Is outsourcing CAD drafting cheaper than hiring?
Often, once you count employment costs, recruitment, equipment, software, management time and idle time. OEG quotes usually land 40 to 60 percent below hiring the same skills in Western Europe, the UK or North America, though your figure depends on the role and what you include. The comparison is covered in outsourcing vs in-house engineering: real cost drivers.
How does it work with OEG?
- Send the brief. An NDA is signed before we see anything of yours.
- Named profiles and a rate in 24 to 48 hours.
- You interview every candidate before they start.
- Work starts about two weeks out for CAD and BIM roles. OEG handles contracts, payroll, equipment and leave cover.
The team works in Revit, AutoCAD and Navisworks, inside your templates and standards, and can work inside your own systems and VPN. IP is assigned to you. If someone is not the right fit, we replace them at our cost. See our CAD drafting and BIM teams page, and for projects with specific standards, BIM services for UK projects and BIM services for US projects.
Frequently asked questions
What are CAD drafting services?
Services that produce technical drawings from designs, sketches or survey data. They include 2D drafting, 3D modelling, CAD conversion, as-built drawings, shop drawings and revisions.
How much do CAD drafting services cost?
Cost depends on the scope, the pricing model and the provider. Models include per drawing, hourly and a monthly rate for a dedicated team. Ask for a quote based on a defined brief.
Can drafting be done in my own templates and standards?
Yes. A good provider works in your templates, layers and drawing conventions. Send your template and a sample sheet with the brief.
How fast can a drafter start?
For CAD and BIM roles at OEG, named profiles and a rate come within 24 to 48 hours, and a start about two weeks out is normal.
Can you convert PDF or paper drawings to CAD?
Yes. Paper, scanned and PDF drawings can be converted into editable CAD files, and existing 2D sets can be converted into coordinated Revit models.
To talk about your drawings, book a consultation.