Construction Drafter / Architectural Detailer – Custom Balau Wood Deck

I am looking for an experienced construction drafter / architectural detailer to prepare a detailed construction drawing package for a custom exterior Balau hardwood deck.

The goal is to produce drawings detailed enough that a carpenter or building crew can review the documents and move forward with construction without having to guess how the major components are intended to be assembled.

This is not primarily a rendering or conceptual-design position.

I need someone who understands construction documentation and detailing and can translate design information, dimensions, photographs, sketches and markups into clear, buildable drawings.

SCOPE:

The project includes detailing:
Balau hardwood decking
Deck framing/supporting construction
Balau fascia and skirting
Skirting attachment, corners and terminations
Integrated planter boxes
Planter box framing and deck interfaces
Metal posts and attachment details
Wood-to-metal connections
Stairs, including framing, stringers, treads and connections
Deck edges and transitions
Other conditions necessary to clearly communicate construction
Required Drawing Package

The final construction documents should include, as applicable:
Dimensioned deck plans
Framing/layout plans
Elevations
Sections
Enlarged construction details
Stair plans and sections
Planter box plans and sections
Skirting elevations/details
Metal post attachment details
Edge, corner and termination details
Material callouts
Dimensions
Fastener/hardware callouts where appropriate
Construction notes
Other details necessary for the building crew
Critical Details

Particular attention needs to be given to details such as:
How Balau deck boards are installed
How Balau skirting attaches to the underlying structure
Skirting corners and terminations
Planter construction
Planter/deck/skirting interfaces
Metal post attachment
Metal-to-wood interfaces
Stair construction and connections
Deck perimeter conditions
Transitions between different materials

The drawings should communicate what goes where, its dimensions, what it attaches to, and how the components are intended to fit together.

If information is missing or a condition requires engineering/design input, I expect you to identify it and ask rather than make unsupported assumptions.

SOFTWARE:
I am flexible regarding software.

You may use AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp + LayOut, Archicad, Vectorworks, or another professional CAD/BIM platform.

I care much more about the quality and constructability of the drawings than which software is used.

Final deliverables should include:

Complete PDF construction drawing set
Editable/source CAD/BIM/model files
Ideal Candidate

You should have experience producing drawings that were actually used for construction or fabrication.

Relevant experience includes:
Architectural construction documents
Construction detailing
Residential construction
Wood framing
Exterior carpentry/decks
Stairs
Millwork/joinery
Shop drawings
Metal-to-wood connections
Plans, elevations, sections and enlarged details
U.S. construction projects and imperial dimensions
This is NOT primarily a rendering position.

If your portfolio mainly consists of architectural renderings or conceptual 3D models, this is probably not the right project.

I am specifically looking for someone who can detail how something gets built.

Compensation

$7–$10 USD/hour depending on experience, portfolio quality and demonstrated construction knowledge.

I am willing to pay toward the upper end of the range for someone who can work independently and produce excellent, construction-ready details.

There may be additional drafting work available for the right person after successful completion of this project.

How to Apply

Start your application with:

BALAU DECK – CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

Then provide the following:

1. Portfolio

Send examples of construction drawings that you personally produced.

I especially want to see:

Enlarged construction details
Sections
Shop drawings
Wood construction
Decks or exterior structures
Stairs
Millwork/joinery
Metal-to-wood connections

Please do not send only renderings.

2. Built Project Example

Show me one project where drawings you produced were actually used by a contractor, carpenter, fabricator or construction crew.

Briefly explain what portions of the drawings you personally produced.

3. Software

Tell me which CAD/BIM software you normally use.

4. Construction Experience

Briefly describe your experience preparing construction documents and technical details.

5. Rate

Tell me your requested hourly rate in USD.

6. Availability

Tell me:

Hours available per week
Your normal working hours in Philippine time
How quickly you could begin
Selection Process

I will review applications primarily based on construction drawing quality and construction knowledge, not software preference.

Shortlisted candidates may be offered a small paid drafting test based on one detail from the actual deck project.

The test will evaluate your ability to take photographs, dimensions and design information and turn them into a clear construction detail.

Please only apply if you are comfortable producing drawings intended to be used by an actual building crew.