How Much Do Architectural Drawings Cost in BC?

It’s one of the first questions homeowners and builders ask when starting a project: what will the drawings cost? The honest answer is that architectural drawing fees in BC vary significantly depending on the scope of work, but there are some clear patterns that help you understand what to expect before you start making calls.

What Affects the Cost of Architectural Drawings in BC

Several factors drive the fee for a residential drawing set:

• Project size and complexity: A 2,000 sq ft single-family home requires fewer drawings than a 4,000 sq ft custom home with a complex roofline, walkout basement, and detached garage. Square footage matters, but so does the number of levels, the intricacy of the design, and how many custom details need to be drawn.
• New build vs. renovation: New construction drawing sets are typically more comprehensive. They include everything from foundation to roof. Renovation drawings focus on the affected areas and need to document existing conditions before showing what changes.
• Municipality requirements: Some BC municipalities require more documentation than others. Chilliwack’s permit office may have different submission requirements than the City of Abbotsford or Langley Township. Knowing those requirements upfront prevents costly revisions.
• Whether design is included: A drafter who produces drawings from a design you’ve already worked out will charge less than a firm that handles both design and drafting. That said, separating the two often costs more in revision time than it saves upfront.

Typical Ranges for Common Project Types

These are general ranges based on the BC market. Every project is different, and a proper quote requires understanding your specific site and scope.

• Secondary suite drawings: Generally the most straightforward permit drawing scope. Expect a few thousand dollars for a standard basement or above-garage suite, depending on complexity and municipality.
• Home addition or renovation: Varies considerably based on size and whether structural changes are involved. Simple additions cost less; renovations that affect multiple systems or require engineer coordination cost more.
• New custom home: Full drawing sets for a custom home are a meaningful investment, but represent a small fraction of total construction cost. For a well-designed home that will be lived in for decades, this is not the place to look for savings.
• Subdivision packages: Developers working on multi-lot projects benefit from efficiencies of scale. A base plan adapted across multiple lots is significantly less expensive per unit than producing unique drawings for each home.

What Should Be Included in a Permit Drawing Set

A complete permit-ready drawing set for a BC residential project typically includes a site plan, floor plans for all levels, exterior elevations on all four sides, building sections, a foundation plan, roof plan, and window and door schedules. Depending on the municipality and project type, you may also need energy efficiency documentation and engineer-stamped structural drawings.

When you’re comparing quotes, make sure you understand what’s included. A low quote that doesn’t include all required sheets will end up costing more when the permit office sends the application back for additional documentation.

Design and Drafting Together vs. Separately

Many homeowners hire a designer for their layout and vision, then take those ideas to a separate drafter to produce the drawings. This can work, but it introduces a handoff where things get lost. When the same team handles both design and drafting, changes made during design development are reflected immediately in the drawings, and the permit set actually reflects what you decided to build.

At Rexford, we handle design and architectural drafting together. One team, one point of contact, from first sketch to permit-ready drawing set.

Getting a Quote for Your Project

The fastest way to understand what your specific project will cost is to have a brief conversation about your site, your municipality, and what you’re hoping to build. We can usually give you a rough scope and fee range quickly, and a detailed proposal within a couple of business days.

If you have a project coming up in BC or Alberta, we’d be glad to hear about it.