Accurate, compliant construction documentation produced in ArchiCAD with BIM, overseen by NSW-registered architects. From DA submission packages to CDC drawing sets, Planshop delivers the technical documentation your project needs to move from approved design to construction.
Drafting as Part of an Integrated Service
At Planshop, drafting isn’t a standalone document production exercise. Our construction documentation is produced by the same team that designs your project, manages council approvals, and provides daily on-site architectural presence during construction. This integrated approach means your drawings are informed by direct design knowledge, not reinterpreted from someone else’s concept.
All documentation is produced in ArchiCAD using BIM (Building Information Modelling) under the direction of Nominated Architect Martin Taylor, who holds registration in NSW (Reg. 10509). This ensures every drawing set meets the professional and regulatory standards required for council approval, builder tendering, and construction.
For clients who come to Planshop with a design already completed by another architect or designer, we also provide drafting-only services, preparing full construction documentation from existing concept drawings.
What Our Drafting Services Include
DA Drawing Packages
We prepare complete drawing packages for Development Application (DA) submission to local councils across Sydney. DA packages include architectural floor plans, elevations, sections, site plans, shadow diagrams, materials and finishes schedules, and all supporting documentation required by the assessing council. Our town planning team works alongside the drafting process to ensure submissions address all relevant planning controls and assessment criteria, reducing the likelihood of requests for additional information.
CDC Drawing Packages
For projects that qualify for the Complying Development Certificate (CDC) pathway, we prepare complete drawing sets for assessment by a private certifier. CDC-eligible projects include many single-storey extensions, internal renovations, granny flats (secondary dwellings), and some new homes on standard residential lots. The CDC pathway is typically assessed in 10 to 20 business days, providing faster approval than a DA.
Construction Certificate & Tender Documentation
Beyond council approval, we produce the detailed construction documentation that builders need to price and build from. This includes Construction Certificate (CC) drawing packages, tender documentation for competitive builder selection, detailed construction specifications, and all technical drawings required for building permits. These documents are produced to a level of detail that enables accurate pricing, reduces ambiguity during construction, and supports our project management team’s tender and contract negotiation process.
Full Architectural Drawing Sets
Our comprehensive drawing sets cover all documentation types required across the lifecycle of a residential project:
- Architectural floor plans, elevations, and sections: The core drawing set produced in ArchiCAD with BIM coordination, covering all spatial, dimensional, and material information.
- Site plans and survey coordination: Accurate site documentation coordinated with surveyor data, showing setbacks, levels, access, landscaping, and services.
- Joinery design packages: Detailed specifications for custom kitchen, bathroom, and built-in joinery, including material selections, hardware, and construction details.
- Material and finishes schedules: Complete schedules documenting all specified materials, finishes, colours, and suppliers for consistency between documentation and construction.
- Landscape plans: Coordinated landscape documentation that integrates with the architectural drawings, covering planting, hard surfaces, levels, and drainage.
- Conveyancing and notification plans: Documentation required for property transactions, strata submissions, and neighbour notification processes.
How We Work: BIM and ArchiCAD
All Planshop drafting is produced in ArchiCAD using a BIM (Building Information Modelling) workflow. This means every drawing is generated from a single, coordinated 3D model rather than drawn as isolated 2D sheets. The benefits of this approach include automatic coordination between plans, sections, and elevations (a change in one view updates all related drawings), clash detection between architectural, structural, and services elements before construction begins, precise quantity takeoffs for cost estimation and builder tendering, and interactive BIMx models that clients and builders can navigate on any device.
BIMx is particularly valuable during the construction phase, where builders and subcontractors use the 3D model on site to verify dimensions, check details, and resolve queries in real time rather than relying solely on 2D drawing interpretation.
Structural & Services Coordination
Drafting at Planshop is not limited to architectural documentation. We coordinate with structural engineers, hydraulic consultants, electrical engineers, and other specialists to ensure all technical documentation is integrated and consistent. This coordination happens within the BIM model, allowing us to identify conflicts between architectural and engineering requirements before they become problems on site.
Our documentation includes coordination with structural engineering drawings and specifications, hydraulic and drainage documentation, electrical and mechanical services layouts, and BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) compliance documentation for NSW projects.
Projects We Document
Our drafting services cover the full range of residential and commercial project types across Sydney:
- Home renovations, extensions, and alterations: Documentation for projects ranging from single-room modifications to full-house transformations.
- First-floor additions: Complete drawing packages for second-storey additions, including structural coordination and council submission documentation.
- New homes and knock-down/rebuilds: Full documentation from site plan through to construction details for new residential builds.
- Granny flats and secondary dwellings: CDC-ready drawing packages for secondary dwellings under the relevant SEPP criteria.
- Multi-unit developments and apartments: Documentation for dual occupancies, townhouses, and apartment developments, including strata subdivision plans.
- Commercial fit-outs: Drawing packages for office, retail, and hospitality fit-outs including compliance documentation.
View examples of our completed projects in our portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drafting Services
What’s the difference between design services and drafting services?
Design services cover the creative and technical development of your project, from initial concept through to a resolved scheme design. This is where spatial planning, aesthetics, site response, and functional requirements are worked through. Drafting services cover the technical documentation phase: converting the approved design into detailed construction drawings that builders can price and build from. Some clients engage Planshop for the full scope from concept design through to on-site construction presence. Others come with a design already developed and need documentation only.
How long does drafting take?
Timelines depend on project complexity. Simple CDC drawing packages for straightforward renovations or granny flats can be completed in 2 to 4 weeks. Full DA submission packages for larger renovations or new builds typically take 4 to 8 weeks. Complex multi-storey homes or multi-unit developments may require 8 to 12 weeks of documentation. We provide a project-specific timeline and fee proposal after the initial consultation.
How much do drafting services cost?
Drafting is quoted as a fixed fee based on the agreed scope of work. Costs depend on project size and complexity, the approval pathway (DA or CDC), and whether the project includes design services or documentation only. We provide a clear, itemised fee proposal so you know exactly what’s included before committing. Get in touch to discuss your project.
Do I need a DA or CDC for my project?
It depends on the scope. Smaller renovations, internal alterations, and some additions may qualify for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), which is assessed by a private certifier in 10 to 20 business days. Larger projects, heritage-listed properties, and work that doesn’t meet CDC criteria will require a Development Application (DA) assessed by council. Our team assesses the appropriate pathway during feasibility. For more detail, visit our town planning page.
Can Planshop draft from another architect’s design?
Yes. We regularly produce construction documentation from designs completed by other architects or building designers. We review the existing design material, confirm the scope of documentation required, and produce a complete drawing set in ArchiCAD with BIM. This service is common for projects where the original designer is unavailable, or where the client needs documentation prepared to a higher standard for council approval or construction.
What software does Planshop use for drafting?
All drafting is produced in ArchiCAD using BIM (Building Information Modelling). This means drawings are generated from a coordinated 3D model, ensuring consistency across all views and enabling clash detection before construction. We also use BIMx to provide interactive 3D model access to clients and builders, supporting both the approval process and on-site coordination during construction.
Start Your Drafting Project
Whether you need a complete DA submission package, a CDC drawing set, tender documentation, or construction drawings from an existing design, Planshop delivers accurate, compliant documentation overseen by registered architects.
Phone: 02 7253 6550 | Email: info@planshop.com.au