Draftechi, LLC provides architectural drafting, design development, construction documentation, and permit coordination. Structural engineering calculations, analysis, and stamped structural plans are completed by a licensed structural engineer when required by the project.
We can work closely with your structural engineer to coordinate structural and architectural drawings, incorporate engineering information into the construction document set, and help maintain consistency between the various disciplines throughout the permitting and construction process.
Yes. Draftechi can help transform your ideas, needs, and vision into a thoughtful and buildable home design.
Our process can include existing-condition documentation, space planning, schematic design, floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, design development, architectural details, and construction drawings.
For projects requiring additional licensed professionals—such as structural engineering, land surveying, geotechnical engineering, or other specialized consultants—we can help coordinate the necessary information and integrate their work into the overall drawing set.
Yes. Draftechi provides drafting and construction-documentation services for commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) projects, including interior build-outs, renovations, alterations, and modifications to existing commercial spaces.
Depending on your project’s requirements, documentation may include:
Yes. Draftechi can document existing conditions through field measurements and site verification and translate those observations into accurate architectural drawings.
Depending on the scope, an as-built drawing set may include existing floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plans, and other relevant architectural information.
This service is especially useful when original plans are unavailable, outdated, or don’t accurately represent the property’s current conditions. An accurate existing-condition drawing set can provide the foundation for a future remodel, renovation, addition, or tenant improvement.
Yes. Draftechi can assist with permit submission and routing as part of the project scope.
We help organize the required permit drawings and supporting documentation, coordinate information from consultants when applicable, and route the project through the appropriate reviewing agencies.
If the reviewing agency issues plan-check comments or corrections, we can help address revisions to the drawings within our scope and coordinate the resubmittal process.
Permit requirements vary depending on the project, property, and jurisdiction, so we determine the appropriate submission pathway during the project assessment.
Every project is different, but our typical process follows a clear progression:
To get started, we typically ask for as much information about the property and proposed project as you have available.
Helpful items may include:
You don’t need to have everything ready before contacting us. We can help identify what information is needed based on the type and complexity of your project.
The number of revisions depends on the project scope and level of service and is established in the project proposal or agreement.
Our process is designed to allow for client feedback throughout the design and drafting stages. We distinguish between design revisions—changes to the client’s preferred layout or design direction—and drafting corrections or coordination adjustments required to accurately document the agreed-upon design.
Significant changes to the project scope after the design has been approved may require an adjustment to the original fee or timeline. We’ll communicate those changes with you before proceeding.
Permit corrections are a normal part of the building-permit process. If the reviewing agency issues a correction notice or plan-check comments, Draftechi can review the comments, identify the affected drawings, and coordinate the necessary revisions within our scope of services.
This may involve updating construction documents, architectural details, notes, schedules, or other permit drawings and resubmitting the revised documentation.
If a correction requires input from a licensed professional—such as structural engineering, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or other specialized disciplines—we’ll coordinate with the appropriate consultant as needed.
The timeline depends on the size, complexity, and scope of the project, as well as the amount of existing information available.
A straightforward residential project may move through drafting relatively quickly, while a larger renovation, custom home, ADU, or commercial TI may require additional time for field verification, design development, consultant coordination, and construction documentation.
The drafting timeline may be affected by:
We’ll establish an anticipated timeline during the proposal stage and communicate any changes as the project develops.
It’s important to distinguish the time required to prepare the permit set from the time required for the government agency to review and approve it. Draftechi controls the preparation of the drawings; the actual plan-check and permit-review timeline is determined by the reviewing agency.
No, unless specifically stated in your proposal.
Draftechi’s professional fees are separate from government-imposed costs such as building permit fees, plan-check fees, application fees, special inspection fees, or other agency charges.
These fees are generally paid directly to the applicable government agency by the property owner or applicant. Because government fees can vary based on project type, valuation, and agency requirements, they are typically treated as project expenses outside of Draftechi’s drafting fee which are carried by the homeowner and client.
Draftechi’s fees can be structured based on the scope and complexity of the project.
Depending on the project, pricing may be established as a fixed project fee, percentage base, or another agreed-upon fee structure.
Factors that may influence the fee include:
Rather than relying solely on a price-per-square-foot model, we evaluate the actual scope of work and documentation required to provide a more accurate project estimate.
Yes, we can definitely recommend licensed general contractors that we have worked with in the past. We can help clients understand the construction process and the types of professionals they may need for their project.
When contractor recommendations are requested, any referral should be understood as a separate relationship between the client and contractor. Clients should independently verify the contractor’s Hawaiʻi contractor’s license, insurance, qualifications, references, availability, and proposed contract before hiring.
Draftechi’s role is primarily focused on design documentation, drafting, coordination, and permitting, unless additional construction-related services are specifically included in the project agreement.
Site visits and construction-phase consultation may be available depending on the project’s scope and the services included in your agreement.
Construction-phase services can include site observation, drawing clarification, field verification, coordination with the project team, and addressing questions related to the construction documents.
These services are different from general contractor supervision or full-time construction management. The specific frequency and scope of site visits should be established before construction begins.
Yes. One of the most valuable steps before investing heavily in design is understanding the property’s development potential and regulatory constraints.
Draftechi can review available property information and help identify relevant considerations such as:
The exact requirements depend on the property’s location and zoning designation. Where a determination requires an official interpretation or specialized professional analysis, we can identify when additional consultation is appropriate.
It depends on the property and applicable zoning regulations. ADU requirements can vary based on factors such as lot size, zoning district, existing development, setbacks, height, parking, and applicable City & County regulations.
Rather than assuming a standard maximum size, Draftechi can evaluate your specific property and determine the applicable requirements before developing the design.
An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a separate residential living unit located on the same property as a primary dwelling. Depending on the applicable regulations, an ADU can include its own living, sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities.
An extension, commonly referred to as a home addition, expands the existing primary residence rather than creating a separate dwelling unit.
Draftechi can assist with the architectural documentation and supporting drawings associated with a variance or zoning-related application, depending on the project.
However, zoning variances, special approvals, and appeals can involve regulatory, legal, or land-use matters that go beyond drafting.
Where appropriate, we can coordinate with the relevant planning professionals, land-use consultants, attorneys, or other licensed professionals and provide the drawings and technical documentation needed to support the application.
Yes, in many cases, the property owner can act as the permit applicant. However, the exact requirements depend on the project and the applicable jurisdiction.
Draftechi can prepare the architectural documentation and, when included in your scope, assist with permit submission, routing, and coordination. You may choose to submit the application yourself or authorize Draftechi to assist with the process.
For projects requiring licensed design professionals, engineering, special approvals, or other regulated services, additional requirements may apply.
Yes. Draftechi works with both residential and commercial projects, with services tailored to the project’s scope and documentation requirements.
Residential projects may include:
Commercial projects may include:
Whether you’re improving an existing property or developing a new space, our focus is on producing clear, coordinated, and construction-ready documentation.
A project is considered permitted when the required government agency has reviewed and approved the applicable permit application and issued the appropriate permit(s).
A set of drawings by itself is not the same as a permitted project.
Depending on the project, the process may involve:
Design & Documentation → Permit Submission → Plan Check → Corrections/Resubmittal → Approval → Permit Issuance
Draftechi can help clients navigate this process and track the project’s documentation through permit routing and plan review.
For an existing property, we can also help investigate available permit records and compare them with the observed existing conditions. This can help identify whether additions, alterations, or structures appear to have been documented through the permitting process.
However, an as-built drawing or field observation does not independently establish legal permitting status. Official permit records and agency documentation are the appropriate basis for confirming whether a project was permitted.
