Definition

A technical drawing of an architectural design. Traditionally these were made using a printing process that produced a white line on a blue background. They can also be made with CAD software and a large-scale printer.

Things you need to know

A whiteprint is a similar type of drawing, but with a blue line on a white background. Whiteprints replaced blueprints because they were easier and safer to produce.

Cost Considerations

Traditional blueprints take the most time because they must be drawn by hand. Using CAD software makes the process faster and therefore cheaper. It may also be possible to make changes to an existing blueprint if the project is a minor addition to an existing structure. This would save money compared with having an entire blueprint drawn. A draftsperson usually charges $100 to $130 an hour, and drawing a CAD blueprint for a 1,000 square foot space takes about 8-16 hours.

Costs vary greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.