jmyers

For more clarity, I have been in residential construction management for more than 15 years. Therefore, I do have a very good understanding homebuilding and remodeling. Over this time, I have had the opportunity to design many homes and remodeling projects that were sent to a draftsman to draw the plans. In no way would I ever think that I could quit my current job at this time, learn Chief very quickly, and then have a very successful business with very high earnings in a very short period of time. I have a very good job at this time that pays very well and has incredible benefits. However, everyday I get more and more of a desire to draw plans for other builders and individuals. I am thinking that it would have to be fairly slow process for me to eventually go full time, be successful, and to be able to support my family. My goal would to be very a very educated and skilled user of Chief. My plan to obtain this would be from practice, watching training videos, attending seminars, reading manuals, receiving one on one training, etc. I could not afford to just take the plunge without being very skilled and prepared. With that being said, I am seeking to know what kind of yearly gross income potential I could have over time in my Midwestern location. I am very familiar with those that provide designing/drafting services in my area and the rates that they charge. I also stay abreast of the amount of permits that are issued monthly in my location. It is definitely dependent on many variables, but would it be realistic to estimate 40k-60k, 60k-80k, 80k+ if someone is very proficient in the software and has good business acumen. Thanks to all for the comments and advice!

Would anyone have an idea what the average designer/drafter (non architect or engineer) using Chief in the Midwest region would earn in gross yearly wages? More specifically, I'm referring to a full time, self employed individual that has been in business a few years. Any estimated range would be great. I know earnings could be all over the board, but I'm just looking for an average. Thanks!

I have downloaded the trial version and have found it to be relatively simple to use. However, I have been doing the most basic tasks. I fully understand that the complex tasks would take quite some time to learn. Being able to perform the more complicated tasks is what drove my question. I have a 15 year background in construction management. For years, I would design homes in the old 3D Home Architect Deluxe and then hand off the floor plan and elevations to a local draftsman to create a simple set of "Builders Plans" (floor plan, foundation plan, elevations, and one cross section). I have only been part of this forum for one week and it is an outstanding resource. Thanks to all who have been willing to give me advice!

Wow. These are all great responses and very helpful. Additional thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I am considering purchasing Chief and am wondering how difficult is it to become proficient enough to draft sets of "Builder Plans" (floor plan, elevations, foundation plan, and a cross section). I know that many learn at different paces and in different ways, but am just trying to get an overall feel of the degree of difficulty in becoming fairly proficient with the software. I do understand that even the most advanced users face challenges at times. A degree of difficulty scale, with 1 being very easy and 10 being very hard, may be helpful. Thanks to all who reply! All thoughts/comments are greatly appreciated.

I have been in the residential construction industry for more than 15 years and am considering purchasing Chief to begin drawing plans for others. In my Midwestern location, the local building departments do not require sophisticated building plans. A floor plan, elevations, and foundation plan is all that is needed to get building permits. The engineered trusses and floor joist/beam plans, stamped by a licensed engineer, must be onsite at the time of the building department inspections. However, these engineered plans do not need to be part of the building plans that are submitted to the building department to obtain a building permit. These do not get engineered until the lumber package provider submits an order for these items. I am not a licensed engineer and would be working as a draftsperson. When drawing plans for others (builders and homeowners), how do most draftsman determine structural requirements such as the proper sizing and spacing of joists and beams, location of crawlspace piers, etc.? I have the latest International Residential Code book, our local code, with the tables for requirements for load, deflection, sizing, spacing, etc. and have much experience in the industry. However, I am curious as to how most draftsman determine these items for the plans that they draw. Do these items have to be specified in Chief or will the software be able to make these determinations? Is there sizing/spacing software that others use where you provide input and these structural items are determined? I'm just trying to determine the most commonly used method, accurate, and most simple way of obtaining the structural requirements for each set of plans. Thank you to all who respond!