Frequently Asked Questions Drafting Services

What is drafting?

Drafting is what a drafts person does. The term drafting originates from the noun draft which mean a preliminary version of a piece of writing or in our case a preliminary version of a sketch. For all drafts, even ones finalized or issued for construction are but preliminary versions until eventually actualized on the field by the craftsmen and there team

What is draftsman?

A draftsman is a person who makes detailed technical plans or drawings to be used for a wide range of purposes but in our case for building construction. Aspire Drafting Inc. has a team of experienced AutoCAD draftsmen that can manage any type of project. 

What are DOB drawings?

DOB drawings refers to the process of getting your buildings plans approved for construction from the Department of Buildings. Department of Buildings is a city or state agency that enforces minimum quality & Safety standards for the construction of buildings and structures.

What are coordination drawings ?

Coordination drawings refers to the process of actually figuring out with all team members, how the MEP components (inside the wall) will fit with the architectural and structural. Once this is determined and approved by the entire team, then drawings are created that show the instructions on how to install everything.

What are the different types of shop drawings?

The different type of shop drawings most usually are, Underground drawings, Overhead drawings, floor penetration drawings, wall penetration drawings, Concrete pad drawings and lastly access door drawings.

There are also fabrication drawings and in detail drawings that offer i higher level of detail.

What are shop drawings?

Shop drawings are detailed plans that translate "design intent" into specialized installation components of a given trade or system. They provide installers with the information necessary to manufacture, fabricate, assemble and install all the components of a specific system.

What are as-built drawings?

As-builts are a “revised set of drawings submitted by a contractor upon completion of a project or a particular job. They reflect all changes made during the construction process, and show the exact dimensions, geometry and location of all elements of the work completed under the contract.”

What does MEP stand for?

MEP stands for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.  Each one of these components are critical throughout each phase of the construction project.  Aspire Drafting Inc. provides MEP drafting services to make sure each component is coordinated accurately. 

How much does BIM Cost?

There is no specific or easy answer to this question. However, things that are considered when estimating a BIM proposal, are factors such as, how tall is the budling? How many apartments? How many offset floors does the building have ? How many typical floors? How many trades? How many types of shop drawings will we be creating, and finally what level of coordination detail are we aspiring to achieve. If you need a quick and free estimate click this link here. We try to turn around estimates within 24 hours from contacting you.

Is Revit BIM?

Not exactly, Revit is software used in the application of BIM.

BIM stands for Building Information Management and comprises an entire category of modern ways to manage a building from inception (construction) to final stages (maintenance), using computer technology.

Should I model in AutoCAD or Revit?

There would be no Revit with out AutoCAD, However current market trends indicate that Revit being an evolution of AutoCAD, is more robust when working in 3D and offers a larger network effect. Additionally as far as I know AutoCAD itself offers no, work-sharing  and collaboration tools making it harder and harder to compete with Revit. AutoCAD itself will never be replaced, it will always serve as a tool for 2d base design. But when working with 3D model's the preferred choice is Revit. AutoCAD 3d is used by an older generation of draftsmen who are learned in its ways, and are just to old to make the shift. If you are an aspiring new draftsmen Revit is a must in your software learning list. 

When should I hire and deploy a BIM Contractor and Coordinator?

The consensus seems to be as are early as possible, However the earliest date is you should secure this at the early stages when you are driving piles (working on foundations). BIM Modeling, clash detection and Coordination is as tedious as putting the building together. The reason is because you are doing all the brain work you are normally familiar with during construction, but in a proactive state, so the decision making process and its approval methods are usually the same is when construction is going on.

Do you provide Field visits?

Yes. Field visits can be included in our contract terms, lets talk and figure out how many you will need.

Do you provide As-Builts?

Yes. Unusual as it may be to jump straight to the end for as-builts, we definitely understand that every project has different budgets and needs,  lets talk and figure out how best we can help.

What is a Hour Bank?

Hour bank refers to the amount of time we have estimated to provide services which are not in the direct control of our company. For example attending coordination and design team meetings. We have found that providing the client with an hour bank, instead of a preset number of meetings, is a more fair method for the customer since the duration of meeting can vary from a simple 15 minutes to several hours long.

What is a BIM-Coordinator?

a BIM-coordinator is a person responsible for the management of all items relating to digital construction. He uses and deploys CAD software and solutions to keep the team communicating and on track. Generally BIM-Coordinators also posses a strong knowledge of the field they are responsible for coordinating. If you would like to pursue this career Click here.