Starting a Business
Opening an Architectural Drafting Business
This advice is ideal for entrepreneurial folks who are thinking about starting an architectural drafting business. This is a must-read before you start!
We've gathered our excellent suggestions on what it takes to open an architectural drafting business.
Business-Specific Requirements for Architectural Drafting Startups
Architectural design firms play a supporting role in America's building and construction industry. The commercial construction sector alone generates more than $525 billion per year, a portion of which is ripe to be captured by emerging architectural drafting entrepreneurs.
Architectural firm startups present opportunities for skilled architects to expand their professional reach into the world of business ownership. As an architectural designer, you already know that you need state licensing. But as a business owner, you'll also need to make sure all of the drafters and designers you employ have current licenses, and are up-to-date on new codes and regulations.
Technology is a primary startup requirement for architectural drafting startups. From the beginning, your business will need to be outfitted with capable hardware, AutoCAD software and other technology assets in addition to drafting tables and resources designed to facilitate smooth workflows.
Selling Tips for Architectural Drafting Startups
It's common for new architectural drafting firm owners to focus on the professional aspect of their operation at the expense of other important business activities, not the least of which is selling your services to prospective clients.
- Sales Strategies. Great sales strategies result in healthy bottom lines. To get your firm off the ground, you'll need to create and execute a sales strategy that includes achievable goals, new customer acquisition techniques and a plan to generate repeat business.
- Referrals. The construction trade is a lot smaller than it seems - or at least a lot more connected. Contractors, clients and consulting firms frequently rely on peer referrals for architectural drafting firms. That makes it important for your startup to implement an aggressive referral program as soon as possible.
- Sales Mindset. Smart architectural design entrepreneurs recognize the value of sales plans and the selling cycle. But to rise to the top of the architectural drafting industry, selling has to transcend formal planning processes and become part of your firm's DNA. As the firm owner, it's critical for you to learn how to become an effective salesperson and integrate sales characteristics into your everyday routines.
How to Write a Top Quality Architectural Drafting Company Business Plan
If it includes hard numbers, an architectural drafting company business plan can become the catalyst for an executable business strategy.
In contemporary business culture, business plans are also litmus tests used by external interests to assess real world viability and marketability.
For the sake of accuracy, you'll want to educate yourself about how to write the market analysis section of a business plan. While a robust market analysis can be a selling point for an architectural drafting business startup, weak market research is a sure giveaway for a business that hasn't invested adequate effort in planning.
Consider the Competition
Before you open an architectural drafting business in your town, it's worthwhile to determine how many competitors you have. Try our link below to get a list of local competitors near you. After following the link, enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of architectural drafting businesses in your area.
Is the local market large enough to support another architectural drafting business? If not, you had better be sure that you are doing things much better than the competition.
Talk to People Who Are Already in the Business
As part of your due diligence on opening an architectural drafting business, it's essential that you talk to somebody who is already in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. It'd be crazy for them to teach you the business.
Thankfully, an owner of a an architectural drafting business in a different city may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, provided that you won't be directly competing with them. Indeed, many experienced entrepreneurs enjoy offering advice to startup entrepreneurs. In my experience, you may have to call ten business owners in order to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.
How do you locate somebody who runs an architectural drafting business who is willing to advise you because you live in different cities?
No problem! Just use the link below and try a random city/state or zipcode. Then start dialing for advice until you are successful.
Getting Started in Architectural Drafting Business Ownership
Would-be architectural drafting business business owners can either launch a new business or acquire an existing operation.
Startup architectural drafting businesses can be attractive because they allow the entrepreneur to have more control and greater influence. Yet startups are also more difficult to finance because their nature is inherently risky.
On the other hand, an architectural drafting business purchase is more attractive to lenders and investors. On the whole, buying a business minimizes uncertainty as well as many of the objections lenders use to disqualify startup entrepreneurs from financing.
Don't Rule Out Franchising
The probabilities on your making a success of your new business go up significantly when you franchise in lieu of doing everything yourself.
Before you get too far along in your plan to open an architectural drafting business, you ought to determine whether franchise opportunities in your space might simplify your entering the business.
The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.
Other Useful Articles for Startup Entrepreneurs
These additional resources regarding starting a business may be of interest to you.
Share this article
Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs