What are Shop Drawing Services and How Our Organization Contributes to Your Next AEC Project?
Shop Drawing Services are a separate section when it comes to architectural and structural design. This kind of offering involves preparing technical drawings that are densely packed with information related to dimensions, component layouts, measurements, and various peripherals required for the fabrication, assembly, and erection of architectural and structural components. Shop drawings are directly used by field engineers, architects, fabricators, and manufacturers. After the design is finalized and the project scope is defined, shop drawings serve as go-to guides to make execution easier and more effortlessly achievable.
At CAD Outsourcing, we provide unwavering support to our clients through our Shop Drawing Services and Rebar Shop Drawing CAD Services. Through 22+ years of collective experience in CAD drawing service delivery in the USA, UK, Australia, UAE, Canada, and globally, we have acquired deeper knowledge and technical grip over regional codes and standards for best results. Be it using industry-trusted software like AutoCAD, Tekla, or Revit or providing customized support, we partner with you to support your architectural endeavour, helping you achieve the desired results. Our organization operates on a simple philosophy of delivering high-quality shop and fabrication plans that are affordable, considering your budget constraints, and achieving deadlines, no matter how immediate they may be.
There comes a time during AEC projects when the required tasks are not fully met due to a shortage of drawing professionals and a high demand for work. As a reliable Shop Drawing Outsourcing Service Provider, adaptability and scalability are our key pillars, as our team consists of 200+ detailers, drafters, and BIM modelers. This makes us dynamic and assertive whenever urgent demands show up. Not only are we dynamic in scaling our drawing output, but our team is also highly versatile in developing shop drawings for a wide range of projects, including high-rise buildings, stadiums, transportation infrastructure, shopping malls, and other complex structures. In addition to the versatility aspect, our drawings are optimized for lean building development, which minimizes waste and improves onsite productivity.
Our Broad-Assortment of Shop Drawings Services
- Shop & Fabrication Drawing Services
- Steel Shop Drawing Services
- Facade Shop Drawing Services
- HVAC Duct Shop Drawing Services
- Plumbing Piping Shop Drawing Services
- Millwork Shop Drawing Services
- Precast Shop Drawings Services
- Architectural Shop Drawing Services
- BIM Shop Drawing Services
- MEP Shop Drawing Services
- Steel Fabrication Drawing Services
- Sheet Metal Design Services
- Cabinet Shop Drawings Services
- Steel Stair Handrail Detailing Services
- 2D Shop Drawing Services
- Sheet Metal Design Shop Drawings Services
- Plumbing Shop Drawings Services
- Rebar Shop Drawing CAD Services
Why Your AEC Project Craves Shop & Fabrication Drawing Services?
“Compliance, compliance, and compliance”; this always gets echoed and hammered into the minds of AEC professionals as they commence a new project. Adhering to international as well as regional building codes and standards is a no-brainer, or, to put it another way, is the most crucial aspect in an architectural project. Shop & Fabrication Drawing Services completely fulfill this and ensure that compliance is not just met but also documented for full accountability.
The execution of architectural, engineering, and infrastructure projects becomes fragile when accuracy in fabrication and erection plans is lacking. This is the reason why AEC firms crave expert drafters who not only do the work but do it with sheer passion that does not compromise on accuracy, quality, and readability of shop drawings.
The value of Shop & Fabrication Drawing Services can also be felt more acutely during complex or large-scale projects, where the requirements for technical drawings do not cease, and building execution tasks continue to accumulate, making deadlines a nightmare for engineers, architects, and builders. Professional Shop & Fabrication Drawing Services are inclusive of various deliverables, such as 2D drafting, 3D drawing, assembly plans, material takeoffs, and component-based fabrication plans, which make construction teams’ jobs a whole lot easier. This suite of services includes architectural, structural, MEP, sheet metal, precast, structural steel, rebar, and all other domains, so clients get a centralized hub for all their requirements and don't have to mingle across multiple providers.
Advantages of Shop & Fabrication Drawing Services :
- Guaranteed High Accuracy
- Making fabrication and assembly process easier and more attainable for complex parts
- Minimal wastage and proper allocation of raw materials
- Resolving manufacturing issues during the design phase itself
- Production safety
- No delay in fabrication and assembly processes
How are Our Shop Drawing Services Categorized?
Our Shop Drawing Process for Each of Our Offerings
Now let us proceed further and have a look at some of the types of Shop Drawings Services that are being offered by CAD Outsourcing Services, and to which we are having our forte too. Mentioned are the types in a tabular form along with their features too.
| Architectural Shop Drawings Services | BIM Shop Drawings Services | MEP Shop Drawings Services | Steel Fabrication Drawings |
| Sheet Metal Design | Cabinet Shop Drawings | Steel Stair Handrail Detailing | 2D Shop Drawings Services |
Architectural Shop Drawings Services
CAD Outsourcing identifies and addresses the most important learning in our entire journey: the need for collaboration among all project parties, especially architects, engineers, and field workers such as fabricators, installers, assemblers, and erectors. Our Architectural Shop Drawing Services are beneficial for professionals handling mid-to-large-scale AEC projects across various domains, including residential, industrial, and commercial. Our process behind the Architectural Shop Drawing offering is to maintain depth of clarity in final layouts that maintain an immediate relation to the site’s execution plans.
Our shop drawing technicians first absorb all technical requirements and vision from architects and consultants regarding the creation of architectural shop drawings and drafts. Later, our team begins creating shop drawings for floor plans, elevations, and sections. We also prepare finish schedules during the shop drawing process, ensuring that judgments regarding element identification, surface types, finish codes, material descriptions, colors, and pattern references become precise and clear for engineers.
Salient Features
- Following required industrial norms and standards for easy understanding and accessibility of the design and drawings.
- Easy conversion of paper drawings into AutoCAD along with 2D and 3D drawings.
- Easy to have modifications, analysis, and optimization of the building design.
- Expertise in converting hand-made sketches into a digital format.
- Adding required notations and details required in the form of text, dimensions, and in tabular form.
- CAD drawings available as per the requirement of the projects and services.
BIM Shop Drawing Services
This service is an extended version of our shop drawing offering, where BIM sheds light on coordination, accuracy, and continuous, dynamic updates. The reason our BIM Shop Drawing Services are globally preferred is the reduction of time in manually creating 2D shop drawings. This means our drafters extract shop drawings with undeniable clarity from the BIM models themselves. Now, what else does this BIM-based shop drawing solution provide to the engineers and architects is like a safety net that anticipates clashes, conflicts, and misalignments before they reach the site.
Once we generate shop drawings from BIM models, we apply the results of clash detection reports to the process, ensuring direct alignment with the 3D models. We also include critical details, such as schedules and quantities, with shop drawings. This significantly contributes to providing clear guidance to fabricators and structural erection regarding procurement, resource planning, quality control, and site inspections. An additional consideration is that we maintain a digital revision history for every model-to-drawing update. Also, we export coordinated shop drawings in multiple formats for easy accessibility.
Salient Features
- Shares proper and accurate information that needs to be compared.
- As required, change of order notation is taken into consideration.
- Proper and updated information of fabrication details is given.
- Assures job site dimensions.
- System placement and installation.
- Distribution of samples as and when required.
- Use of Autodesk’s Revit family of applications.
- Focus on the actual construction and operation of a building.
MEP Shop Drawings Services
This is another domain of shop drawing offering at CAD Outsourcing Services. MEP is an initialism for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. MEP Shop Drawing Services encapsulates everything that is needed for material take-offs, schedules, and quantities for strategic project management. Alongside providing MEP solutions as a whole, our individualized offering for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing empowers our clients to minimize downtime and delays by addressing project-specific challenges with customized solutions. Our team also develops coordinated shop drawings that help engineers maintain proper spacing and clearances across the MEP system layout.
We begin MEP Shop Drawing Services by getting to know the building space where mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will be installed. Based on that and various information, our team prepares technical plans and drafts for the MEP framework. This process involves creating duct drawings, piping layouts, clash reports, and other related documents. Shop drawings are crucial because they serve as a reference for dimensions, sizes, shapes, connections, and much more. Therefore, we provide MEP shop drawings with an exploded view, providing a clear understanding of complex MEP systems.
Salient Features
- Easy to understand technical drawings.
- Proper set of composite and electrical drawings.
- Coordinated drawings of underground and ceiling data.
- Sheet Metal design and sheet metal drawings.
- Plumbing and piping fabrication drawings.
- HVAC Ductwork shop drawings.
- Adhering to safety codes and regulations.
Steel Fabrication Drawing Services
At CAD Outsourcing Services, we offer another niche offering, called Steel Fabrication Drawing Services. This is a specialized process where we develop fabrication-compliant drawings that show weld, cut, and material details. Using AutoCAD and Autodesk software, we prepare shop-ready part drawings of steel assemblies to illustrate connections, joints, and assembly sequences clearly. Fabrication drawings are equally crucial as shop drawings, as both hold dependency on each other. Here's how. Fabrication drawings are critical because they provide the dimensions, tolerances, and materials needed for production. Shop drawings help these parts connect or join to form a solid framework.
Our Steel Fabrication Drawing Services process involves generating CNC and machine-ready manufacturing drawings, resulting in significantly faster production. Our entire methodology revolves around preparing drawings that fully comply with steel design codes and standards, resolving design conflicts before they reach the fabrication stage. Steel fabrication is not uniform in terms of size, shape, and dimension because of variations in project design requirements. Through customization and expert consultation, we simplify fabrication challenges with accurate detailing for each component.
Salient Features
- Comparison of information for the architect and engineer.
- Changes or alterations from the construction documents.
- Suggestions where verification of dimensions is needed.
- Structural members are shared with the detailed drawings.
- Complete and updated report that shares information about calculation, load, and materials.
- Setting of achor plans and embedded plans.
- Main & Miscellaneous steel erection drawings.
- Need all the data files for the fabrication and documentation work.
Sheet Metal Design Services
Flat, thin metal parts that get layered on top of various mechanical or building components are called sheet metals. They are durable, which is why industries prefer them for long-lasting enclosures and casings. Our Sheet Metal Design Services are CAD-based solutions that provide 2D drafts, 3D models, and shop drawings for sheet metal visualization, production, and assembly. At CAD Outsourcing Services, we utilize SolidWorks, Inventor, and Revit to create sheet metal designs and models. We offer sheet metal design solutions at budget-friendly pricing, allowing clients to complete projects without overspending.
We provide Sheet Metal Design Services to mechanical engineers, prototype developers, architects, fabricators, and reverse engineering professionals. Sheet metals are intricate parts in terms of their layering and the durability they provide to the component. Our goal is to design sheet metals that strengthen performance while maintaining lightweight efficiency. Additionally, we design these flat sheets in various metals, including steel, copper, and brass. Our entire Sheet Metal Design Shop Drawings Services process is centered on complying with mechanical codes and standards, as well as aligning with global industry practices.
- Bending Metal
- Bend Radius.
Salient Features
- Modulus of rupture
- Structured grooves, hole, and slot
- Minimum Sheet Metal Bending Radius
- Fabrication alternatives
- Minimum Flange Width
- Welding provisions
- Wiping die bending
- Experimental Studies
Cabinet Shop Drawings Services
CAD Outsourcing's Cabinet Shop Drawings Services are specialized drawing and drafting solutions that provide dimensional, functional, and aesthetic appeal to cabinets used in kitchens, wardrobes, living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, and entire interior spaces. Cabinet shop drawings are primarily used for the fabrication and assembly of various interior components. These drawings involve detailed measurements, sizes, shapes, and finishing details, ensuring the fabrication and placement of these cabinets are exact according to the interior design. From new design creation to remodeling older designs, we deliver cabinet shop drawings for every requirement.
Our Cabinet Shop Drawings Services include casework drawings, custom joinery drawings, cabinet plans for commercial use cases, isometric plans, and more. Our millwork drafting team infuses the expertise of hundreds of projects into every millwork and cabinet project. With a focus on innovation and client preferences, we design cabinets with space-saving utility in mind. We effortlessly blend into the client's budget and timeline prerequisites and ensure that our cabinet shop drawing workflow helps them maintain quality consistency across projects.
Salient Features
- Adhering to the right cabinet shop drawing methods and standards.
- Conversion of the architectural plan into detailed fabrication.
- Accurate process for working on assembly and installation drawings.
- the proper report, the requirement and ordering of materials can take place.
- Proper optimization leads to maximum output with minimum time of investment.
Steel Stair Handrail Detailing Services
This is a specialized domain in miscellaneous steel detailing that we offer at CAD Outsourcing Services. Steel Stair Handrail Detailing Services specializes in CAD detailing and drafting of staircases, handrails, guardrails, railings, and other intricate elements. Stairs and handrails fall under non-structural components, unlike beams, columns, and steel frames. Although they do not directly contribute to core structural stability, steel and handrails are prominent components of buildings. Through steel stair handrail detailing, we provide 3D models, shop drawings, fabrication manuals, and 2D drafting for complex architectural stair and handrail designs.
Our Steel Stair Handrail Detailing Services include design creation for various staircase styles, such as straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, spiral, curved, floating, winder, circular, bifurcated, and other custom decorative styles. Our team is highly reliant on the project preferences and does not deviate from the staircase handrail design concept specified by the clients. Through Tekla, Revit, and AutoCAD software, we help them achieve perfect alignment with architectural and structural requirements. Moreover, we minimize material waste through strategic detailing and accurate specifications.
Salient Features
- Auto billing of stairs, rails, and all sub pieces.
- Accurate drawing to the scale and actual bevel.
- Extract stringer sloping in directions.
- Detail analysis of pan and grating stairs.
- Customized option is available for pan design.
- For checking dimensional detail a larger scan pan is drawn to check the end view.
- Include holes for the handrail.
- Auto calculation of Spacing and tail dimensions.
- Draw a plan view of the stair.
2D Shop Drawing Services
The process of creating a 2D shop drawing begins by evaluating and understanding the architectural and structural intent. 2D shop plans are field-related drawings that serve as a guide for fabricators and assemblers. We offer 2D Shop Drawing Services to help AEC professionals achieve productivity in erection processes. With accuracy in geometry, we ensure clarity in fabricating structural, architectural, and MEP components without complications. The drawings our professionals create show component shapes, connections, fittings, and assembly, which minimize erection challenges, such as incorrect joint placements and installation clashes with existing building elements.
Following the BIM’s arrival, the importance of 2D shop drawings has not decreased; instead, it has given new dimensions to their usage. Now we can extract 2D shop drawings from BIM models, which provide more clarity and leave no room for mistakes to happen on-site. 2D Shop Drawing Services significantly contribute to mid-to-large-scale projects, where maintaining project schedules depends on clear and accurate drawings. Moreover, through CAD software, we eliminate misalignment and consistently maintain our commitment to the architectural intent.
Salient Features
- Base for design protocol and its prototype.
- Required for building system coordination.
- Detects any clashes and decides the space reservation.
- Detailed analysis and reporting.
- Drawing high quality drawing production.
- Counting on risk deduction for better work and transparency.
- Scheduled compression is enhanced and checked on.
- Provides effective, efficient, and result-oriented handover.
How Outsourcing Shop Drawing Services Affect Project Cost?
Most people view outsourcing as an alternative to managing a dedicated shop drawing team. Well, that’s not the case. Outsourcing Shop Drawing Services is more than just saving costs on software and employees. That’s also crucial, but it goes beyond that. When AEC professionals outsource Shop Drawings Services to reliable and trusted firms, project workflow, material inventory, and timelines are positively impacted. As an outsourcing firm, we provide solutions to global markets irrespective of where our clients conduct projects, maintaining consistent standards and codes across every project. Additionally, we offer Shop Drawing Outsourcing Services at a reasonable price, which is not possible when relying solely on internal teams for complex projects.
CAD Outsourcing Services is a global Shop Drawing Outsourcing Service Provider, providing drafting solutions across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, and New Zealand. Our services not only provide a budget with affordable offerings but also, through accurate documentation, enable clients to avoid material wastage, unproductive fabrication and assembly schedules, and more. Through Outsourcing Shop Drawing Services, meeting the scalability of projects becomes more achievable, as our team consists of over 200 detailers and drafters who can handle multiple projects simultaneously. This also contributes to dramatically reducing overhead costs related to the projects and improves overall project profitability.
What Benefits Do CAD Outsourcing Services Offer through Shop Drawing Outsourcing Services?
- 30-50% more affordable Outsourcing Shop Drawing Services than standard pricing
- 22+ years of experience in this domain
- 200+ professional workforce
- Knowledgeable in global as well as regional standards and codes
- Always committed to achieving deadlines
- High-end software integration, including AutoCAD, Revit, Tekla, Navisworks, and SolidWorks.
- Scalability assurance and team expansion based on project requirements
- Strong backend support throughout the project
- Communication transparency
- Uncompromised quality
Client Review
Structural Consultant, USA
“Working with CAD Outsourcing Services is phenomenal. The quality has been impeccable, considering the affordability of Shop Drawing Services. We needed structural shop drawings for our project, and this firm successfully delivered them within a very tight timeframe. Looking forward to working with you again."
Architectural Consultancy Firm, USA
“Yeah! From the initial briefing to delivery, communication has been smooth with the professionals at CAD Outsourcing Services. The shop drawings delivered were completely accessible in various software and very clear, with no congestion. Teams were very proactive in mid-project changes and handled them effortlessly.“
Building Contractor, USA
“Shop drawings provided by CAD Outsourcing Services were handy. We managed fabrication and erection very productively. This resulted in saved cost on materials irregularities and improved coordination between our on-field teams.”
For more detailed information on Shop Drawing Outsourcing Services, contact us today and get your projects reviewed thoroughly from our team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - CAD Outsourcing Consultants
What are shop drawings, explain it without jargons?
Shop drawings are digital drawings created in AutoCAD and other high-end software. Shop drawings serve as guides for fabricators and engineers who need to manufacture building components, such as beams, steel frames, and rebars, and assemble them to form a structure. These are reference guides for successfully erecting a structure.
Could you clarify what shop drawing services mean for a project?
Shop drawing services are the external help a CAD-based firm provides. Shop drawing services help achieve productivity, accuracy, and minimize resource wastage during the fabrication, assembly, and erection of buildings.
Who prepares shop drawings?
Detailers or CAD specialists prepare shop drawings. Shop drawings are where design ideas are put into fabricable plan documents. The detailers will work with engineers, architects, contractors (i.e., parties involved in the construction), and collaborate with the builder to resolve any fabrication questions and check all measurements, connections, and materials before construction starts.
What shop drawings include?
Shop drawings provide detailed information about materials, dimensions, shapes, assembly, and connections. They showcase structural steel, piping, HVAC systems, cabinetry, and any other necessary components. They contain all the information needed by a fabricator or installer to fabricate and assemble the components accurately as designed.
How much does a shop drawing cost?
Shop drawing fees are dependent on the complexity, size, and detail required for the project. These can include the type of system, the number of drawings, and various levels of urgency associated with them. Outsourcing the shop drawings will cost significantly less than producing them in-house, while maintaining a similar level of accuracy and ensuring timely delivery.
Who approves shop drawings?
Shop drawings are approved by architect, engineer, or client representative. This involves checking that the proposed fabrication meets design intent, is code compliant, and will fit together on-site without issues. Once approved, the construction or fabrication team can proceed confidently and with certainty there will be no errors and rework.
How do engineers read shop drawings?
Engineers perceive shop drawings by first identifying all view horizons - plan, elevation and section - and having a sense for the overall layout. Using the sequence of details, patterns, symbols, etc., they can picture the assembly or installation of their design. They will also crosscheck dimensions, follow each connection, and check material specifications. Engineers will also try to mentally visualize each step of construction to ensure everything fits and functions as intended before approval.
How do shop drawings, fabrication drawings, working drawings, and construction drawings differ?
Shop drawings are focused on fabrication and erection and show how the elements are built and installed. Fabrication drawings look similar but may be internal to a builder/manufacturer. Working drawings are general instructions for builders. Construction drawings are an overall look at the project. Each type of drawing has its own purpose, but they all contribute to ensure the design transitions from design on paper to installation.
Give me a walkthrough of how shop drawing looks like?
Shop drawings include different perspectives with top, side, and 3D views. Other details include dimensions, materials, welds, and connections. They include assembly sequences, tolerances, and detailed notes. The shop drawing should answer any questions that your fabricator or installer might need to produce and assemble the components successfully.
Who reviews shop drawings?
Engineers, architects, and sometimes project managers will review shop drawings. They will check for accuracy, compliance, and constructability. The review guarantees that every measurement, connection, and material specification is consistent with the design intent and project standards.