I am investigating the possibility of working from home creating AutoCAD drawings. My experience is in the Electrical/Electronic field, but I also have created computer and network drawings. Does anyone know if this is feasible and would I be able to get work over the net? Additionally, my experience includes database modeling but that work experience is with a different software package other that AutoCAD. Please relate your experiences and suggestions to me.
CAD drafting services are usually localized so the customer can meet with you personally to choke the hell out of you when they need to blame you for something that's almost always their fault. Its a lousy way to try to earn a living. Unless you are really, really, really a big kiss-ass you won't get much work (each local community has way too many kiss-asses that will undercut your fee for example and the customer will play you against one another) and even then if you get lucky you might -- maybe -- meet one really decent customer but almost always the pay is lousy and not enough to operate a profitable business that needs to reinvest earned revenue in new computers, upgrades, plotters, and software not to mention training and so on.
After 20 years of experience in this context I have learned three reasons why: fascism, fascism and fascism.
In the AEC markets for example the architects are fascist pigs that control who can and who can not work because they have a license from the fascist government. This is how fascism works. If it was really worth outsourcing drawing(s) an architect will never pay the same rate or anywhere near the same rate they charge their own customers so you will always be working at a disadvantage because they are fascist pigs who have the license and can control who can and who can not work.
Your better off using the unique skills in a special field you know a lot about and learning to write software for applications or databases which is about the only skill left the fascists have not been able to license yet and turn the fascist pigs into your customers rather than trying to become their service provider. The rewards for software development are still possible and will likely remain possible to make huge sums of money from your own hard work, talent and skills you develop. Just remember the Internet is one trend after another and each trend means new software applications need to be developed. Some people have been in the right place at the right time and have cashed out big time like the two guys who recently sold YouTube for $1.6 million. There are all kinds of success stories but none in 20 years I have ever heard of our observed for some dumb drafter trying to work for fascist pigs.
Wake up. Believe in yourself. Take your skills to the next level.
Boy - Clinton, you seem to have a mighty chip on your shoulder!
I do not know how licensing of architects and architectural designers works in the US, but I thought that they were the home of free enterprise and the free market!
I have my own one-man practice in NZ, and am finding that I am overloaded with work, turning away almost as much as I take on. I do contract work for architects and educational organisations, as well as design work for developers and people off the street. When I first set up my practice, it was difficult for the first 6 months but as I built up a reputation and people can see that they get value for money, the work flows in. The important thing is to get your final product for your client right - it doesn't matter what method you use to achieve that, either CAD or manual - that is what your reputation rests on.
Keeping control of costs is important - I have a fairly good computer, use LT 2006 with a lisp enabler, try to use A3 size prints (16x12) as much as possible, and a plotting bureau for anything larger. I am looking for a second hand plotter as my next step.
I suggest that you give it a go - maybe by starting part-time while still in a steady job. If you don't give it a try, you will never know whether you will be successful.
cl> CAD drafting services are usually localized so the customer can meet with
I too have checked into designing my home based business in design. You've got to work up a lot of freebies to just get your name in the door. A lot of shops are still using pen and ink. Or they are outsourcing to the philipines. Flour for one. I do think however once we have gotten Avenue A by Autodesk up and away or even Buzzsaw up and running we will be inundated with things to do. Freelance drafting was hard when it was pencil and ink. The jobs are far and inbetween right now. Electronic monitoring is killing the thouroughfares that buzzsaw and Avanue A are making though. Your proprietary rights are going out the window. You are lucky to get a layout for logo without some hacker breaking into your program. You have really got to search out your sources to find a good paying job outside california and florida. Even your locals are not using AutoCAD persay they are using lite or a package you've never heard of. If you want it my friend then I tell you to draw my friend draw like there was no tomarrow and find inspiration where there is none. One CAD engineer I know worked with an old associate and wrote lisp programs off and on. I am trying my hand at animation just to keep instep. The inspiration is running dry though. I had to buy a book just to get ideas of what to draw. I am trying to illustrate Uniform Code right now but I can't get a level on my hand drawings. How about some inspiration here?
I had a friend now deceased. He was an architect's architect from the old school. One of those guys so old he farted dust. He used to tell me stories about the way it used to be when architects had to do it all. Apparently the architects followed the lawyers who established fascism in the 1920s shortly after the traitors in Congress gave control of our former nation's monetary system to the jews.
I've been trying to research "The History of Licensing in America" but I'm not that skilled in that type of research yet as it requires many trips to various libraries in Washington D.C. and little if anything has made its way onto the web which is a contemporary resource and does not yet have some of the older books and papers scanned yet and may never will with regard to some specific texts and papers. Anything credible you have to offer in this type of further study?
Finally, for those who really want to persue the truth it is a good idea to start with the well known producer Aaron Russo's film "From Freedom to Fascism" which can be seen here [1].
Hello! Clinton made some valid points about the business being difficult to make a profit. I'll try to share my thoughts on your idea in a less abrasive manner. . .I am the owner of a drafting service, CAD Wizards. I started the business in 2004 and have little to no time to promote the business. . .and little to no money to advertise. Finding work is not as difficult as finding steady work, which has been my problem. I feel that much of the American work force has become tainted by those that have a lack of pride for the type of work they perform and those that undercut legitimate hard working, honest, and keep deserving companies from getting work. I am young, but old fashioned in the sense that I would rather produce a quality set of drawings with little to no rework required. My services are more costly, but I feel they are worth it so I have not given up on this business yet. It has allowed me to explore other options as well. . .my most recent project involved the engineering of a retaining wall for a residential building. I was able to help the home owner by sub-contracting an engineer to do the work for them. They were not able to get a response from any local engineers, so I charged a small "finders fee" and didn't do any of the work on the project. Everything worked out very well! I think if you want to run a drafting service, try it. See how you like it. It isn't going to be easy to start a legitimite business, but it is possible. Also, I would definitely consider hiring someone to help me complete my CAD contracts if I was in need of electronics/electrical drawings. It isn't something I'm completely familiar with or a main service that I offer, so I would have to consult an external source. I'd be willing to work with you to help both of us get more business if you're interested.
Poor Clinton. I will not comment on him here. I have been doing CAD from home for about 3 years. It is not steady, but it does pay some of the bills. Attitude!!!! I go in with a positive attitude and it is reciprocated. I love working with the architects here as they are very professional. Most of my work comes from a huge tellecommunication company (cell). Local is good, but not totally not necessary. It just makes it easier. Email is easy and also using the phone or fax. Some of my work comes from word of mouth. Go for it and enjoy yourself. S.Smith
I recently was working with a 'pre-cast' stone outfit in Las Vegas, NV. One of the key decision makers in the company told me that he was having trouble finding people who wanted to draft architectural stuff anymore.
I'm currently in school, so I'm not working as a draftsman yet. Though AutoDesk owns like 90% of the market share because of AutoCAD, my teachers are all raving about Revit. 3D seems to be a MUST for any future work.
Good luck to you. I've thought about freelancing, too, but have too many responsibilities to be able to justify the risk. I hope you do well.
Dude. I get tons of resumes from 3d hot shots who've got a portfolio full of slick images they don't know how to build. As for Revit, beware of the hype. It's is where Adesk is hoping to make it's profits in the future.
I am an "Architectural Draftsman and Designer" with over 40 years experience providing architectural drafting services for myself, the privet sector and other professionals such as builders and architects. I now use AutoCad in place of a drawing board. I can assist you with all of drafting needs for new construction, as-builds, renovations, restorations and even turn your sheet drawings to cad format, for commercial or residentional construction.
You will find my fees very reasonable and competitive and all of my work is completed by me only, I do not outsource to anyone. I have a good honest track record for quality work with a quick turnaround and a good reputation on and off the internet.
Mostly, I "do not" require a down payment and I provide a full written proposal listing all of the work that I will provide along with my fee, all for your approval, prior to starting any project.
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