Career Questions and Answers
How do I get a job designing floor plans for houses?
Asked by Mark
I DO NOT mean being an architect. But what educational requirements are necessary to become something along the lines of a residential drafter or building designer?
Asked by Mark
I DO NOT mean being an architect. But what educational requirements are necessary to become something along the lines of a residential drafter or building designer?
A:
Best Answer:
There are several things you can do to jump start your career. First, spend some time volunteering for a local Habitat for Humanity. You will gain some jobsite experience and see how things really go together in the field. Sometimes the details drawn on plans are ignored in preference for the way a framer has always done a job. Sometimes these details need to be followed. Talk to your local jurisdiction and see if you can ride along on some inspections. Just because a framer knows how to frame, doesn't mean it will pass code. Sometimes they get lazy or run out of materials and take shortcuts. Sometimes a new guy will frame something wrong and it's not self inspected properly before the official inspector comes out. Third, learn to draft. AutoCAD is very popular software but there are other programs out there that are compatible with the .dxf standard. Don't just draw everything on one layer. Learn to use different line weights, colors, etc. Also take some time to familiarize yourself with Google SketchUp for creating 3D renderings of drawings. Finally, if you feel that you have the skills to create plan sets but lack the outlet, draw up 10 different plans and offer them for sale yourself. Several internet house plan companies including houseplans.com and coolhouseplans.com will let you sell your plans through their site. You get about 1/3 of the sale price as commission but you don't have to worry about advertising. Also create your own professional looking site to showcase your plans. Then when you sell a plan through a vendor, you will have something for the purchaser to see. (Check rules with each vendor as to creating direct leads to your own website). My education consisted of a BS degree in Geography. The only classes that were of any relevance were CAD classes. I could have skipped college altogether and started my career right out of high school. Consider taking some architectural type classes at a local community college to get some primers.
10 years experience and training as a non-architect. http://www.istockhouseplans.com
Answered by Brian D
There are several things you can do to jump start your career. First, spend some time volunteering for a local Habitat for Humanity. You will gain some jobsite experience and see how things really go together in the field. Sometimes the details drawn on plans are ignored in preference for the way a framer has always done a job. Sometimes these details need to be followed. Talk to your local jurisdiction and see if you can ride along on some inspections. Just because a framer knows how to frame, doesn't mean it will pass code. Sometimes they get lazy or run out of materials and take shortcuts. Sometimes a new guy will frame something wrong and it's not self inspected properly before the official inspector comes out. Third, learn to draft. AutoCAD is very popular software but there are other programs out there that are compatible with the .dxf standard. Don't just draw everything on one layer. Learn to use different line weights, colors, etc. Also take some time to familiarize yourself with Google SketchUp for creating 3D renderings of drawings. Finally, if you feel that you have the skills to create plan sets but lack the outlet, draw up 10 different plans and offer them for sale yourself. Several internet house plan companies including houseplans.com and coolhouseplans.com will let you sell your plans through their site. You get about 1/3 of the sale price as commission but you don't have to worry about advertising. Also create your own professional looking site to showcase your plans. Then when you sell a plan through a vendor, you will have something for the purchaser to see. (Check rules with each vendor as to creating direct leads to your own website). My education consisted of a BS degree in Geography. The only classes that were of any relevance were CAD classes. I could have skipped college altogether and started my career right out of high school. Consider taking some architectural type classes at a local community college to get some primers.
10 years experience and training as a non-architect. http://www.istockhouseplans.com
Answered by Brian D
A:
I think they teach you that as part of the process of learning to be an architect.
Answered by Tim T
Answered by Tim T
A:
go to I T T tech
Answered by tazman111
Answered by tazman111
A:
You've got to be kidding me!!! Did you see the website Brian listed? It took him ten years to "design" generic bread boxes and he's giving you advice on designing floor plans. I guess that's the exact formula to avoid if you want to be successful.
Answered by wrongpan
Answered by wrongpan
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