Measured surveys and as-built drawings business
Visit homes and buildings, measure them up, then draw accurate existing-condition plans for owners and contractors.
- $1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
2,963 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.7% in a year
NAICS 541340 “Drafting services”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Measuring existing buildings on site with a laser measure or scanner, then drafting as-built floor plans and elevations that remodelers, architects and owners can use.
Your first three steps
- Buy a laser distance measurer and practice measuring and drawing up your own home or a friend's
- Set a price per square foot or per property by checking what local drafters and design firms charge
- Introduce yourself to local architects, remodelers and design-build firms and offer a sample as-built plan
Who pays
Homeowners planning remodels, architects and designers who need existing plans, realtors, landlords and small commercial property owners.
How it makes money
Flat fee per property, usually based on square footage and level of detail, with extra charges for elevations, extra visits or fast turnaround.
Skills that help
- Accurate measuring and note taking
- CAD drafting
- Driving to job sites
- Customer service when visiting homes
Watch out for
- Professional liability and general liability insurance, since site visits put you in clients' properties
- Only a licensed land surveyor can do legal boundary surveys in most states; check your state board so you stay to building measurements
- State rules on what unlicensed drafters can produce and sign
- Accuracy matters, so state a margin of error in your contract
- Vehicle costs and travel time can eat into margins on small jobs
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: measured surveys and as-built drawings
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an as-built drawing business?
Estimates typically run around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your measuring equipment, CAD software and vehicle needs. Vehicle costs and travel time can eat into margins on small jobs, so factor them in.
How much can I earn making as-built drawings?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many jobs you take, your pricing and travel time. Starting at about 12 hours a week is a realistic baseline.
What rules should I check before offering measured surveys?
Check your state board's rules so you stay to building measurements, since only a licensed land surveyor can do legal boundary surveys in most states. Also check what unlicensed drafters can produce and sign, and get liability insurance.
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Photo: cocoparisienne on Pixabay