Drafting Consultant

I think that there is, but it will really take a person willing to make investments in time and software to build relationships. This last year of commonplace remote work really opens the door .?ÿ

I think there's room for one... There was one on this forum... Somebody who understands cad real well, could truly go fast and perdy.

I'm NOT that person. I'm slow, and overly pedantic.

Somebody maybe will chime in. Or, me old brain will remember.

Thx

Nate

They exist now.?ÿ There are a few people out there that do freelance style drafting work and will work for multiple companies.?ÿ Not a huge number but enough to prove that it works for some.?ÿ I might do it when I "retire" to earn some pocket cash to pay for my woodworking habit.

The county surveyor where i worked always outsourced his cad to another Engineering firm so he could get more done.

I'm considering the possibility just to take up some time and expand my horizons.

?ÿ

Red-lining through email sucks, but it can be done.?ÿ As long as the drafter is good.?ÿ

There's nothing more annoying than seeing the same mistakes, missed edits, etc, on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th...review.

I hate drafting, but sometimes I think it's easier to just do it myself

A number of times I've heard of companies e-shipping their drafting out to other countries, where the charge rates are a lot, lot lower.

I'm curious how some feel about it with the requirement of responsible charge/oversight of the licensed individual?

@ncsudirtman

For drafting??ÿ I see no problem with it since they're reviewing it, or should be.?ÿ If the LS isn't reviewing, he's still on the hook since he stamped it.

It's much easier to oversee drafting remotely than fieldwork

@squirltech

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This exists...know a PLS that investigated it...there was a group of people in the Philippines willing to do drafting at about $25 an hour, if I remember correctly.

Personally I would no sooner outsource my drafting than my fieldwork. Both are equally important to me.

I have seen a number of cases where a Microstation jock was brought in to prepare deliverables in that format, when we had a contractual obligation to do so and insufficient skills in house.?ÿ

I had a full time drafting guy on payroll here on Maui. He had to move back to New Jersey to be closer to family. He wanted to continue drafting for me so I suggested he start a drafting company so I would not have to deal with NJ taxes and now he his my drafting contractor and I pay him $75K/year.

Yes, I see no issue with it. Especially for DOT deliverables, or the like, that require no personal touch and is simply cookie cutter. As mentioned already Microstation for some reason is a golden ticket in surveying.?ÿ

I think so. I know that I would be interested in hiring one if the product was good and the price was right.

Always an interesting concept.?ÿ I wonder how it could be implemented.?ÿ I can see a few steps that you could stop where you might be comfortable...?ÿ

?ÿ1)?ÿ They just do the initial setup, all the little details regarding the property on the map, names, etc.?ÿ and the recorded info, say from a plat/deed.?ÿ

2)?ÿ?ÿ you send them the field data and notes and they produce the graphic from that for redlines.

3)?ÿ?ÿ they do it all from start to finish and the surveyor just makes the boundary determination details and review.?ÿ

It might be worth it to send them data for a survey you've already done and see what they come up with?

?ÿ

Andy?ÿ

Posted by: @andy-j

Always an interesting concept.?ÿ I wonder how it could be implemented.?ÿ I can see a few steps that you could stop where you might be comfortable...?ÿ

?ÿ1)?ÿ They just do the initial setup, all the little details regarding the property on the map, names, etc.?ÿ and the recorded info, say from a plat/deed.?ÿ

2)?ÿ?ÿ you send them the field data and notes and they produce the graphic from that for redlines.

3)?ÿ?ÿ they do it all from start to finish and the surveyor just makes the boundary determination details and review.?ÿ

It might be worth it to send them data for a survey you've already done and see what they come up with?

?ÿ

Andy?ÿ

This is along the lines that I was thinking too.

I don't know, may be something to think about one of these days. Personally, my knowledge of both AutoCAD and Microstation/GeoPak/ORD is a benefit in this case.?ÿ

@jph

With teams and zoom etc you can do a real time shoulder hover and make it slightly better.

I like when people of decades more experience are willing and excited to skin back layers of rhe Autodrab onion that I never saw nor will but can save me hours of fiddly diddly and figuring it out eventually.

?ÿ

Isnt there a blog dedicated to life below the ribbon out there in the blogosphere?

@jitterboogie

I'm a member of a couple CAD forums. Both are heavy in AutoCAD and lisp/.net developing.

@richard-imrie?ÿ I know of one such company in DFW.?ÿ They ship all of their drafting as well as several other companies over to India.?ÿ They usually get everything turned around in a few hours.?ÿ I've never seen the final product, but can only imagine having to go over redlines with someone on another continent.