A site plan shows the permit office that the building fits the lot, and an elevation drawing confirms the structure meets height and grade requirements before construction starts. Digital Estimating and Architecture provides site plans and elevations for builders, developers and contractors across all 50 states, with documents prepared to meet local setback, drainage and permit requirements from the first submission.
We build our site plans and elevations from actual survey data rather than an estimated lot sketch. We verify property boundaries, easements, utility locations, and drainage patterns before finalizing the plan, since a site plan challenged during permit review can delay a project by weeks while the layout is corrected.
In-House vs Outsourced Site Plans and Elevations
Builders comparing site plans and elevations against handling this work internally usually find outsourcing more efficient once jurisdiction requirements start to vary by project location.
In-House Drafting
- Full-time drafter salary and software licensing paid year-round
- Limited exposure to varied jurisdiction setback and drainage requirements
- One drafter creates a bottleneck across multiple concurrent projects
- Survey data interpretation errors increase without dedicated experience
Outsourced Site Plans and Elevations
- Pay per project with no fixed drafting staff overhead
- Experience across varied jurisdiction setback and stormwater requirements
- Capacity scales with your project pipeline
- Survey data verified accurately before the plan is finalized
What Our Site Plans and Elevations Include
Our site plans and elevations include property boundary layout, setback verification, drainage and grading details, utility and easement identification, and dimensioned elevation drawings showing building height in relation to grade. We build coordination with architectural and structural drawings into every set, so the documents work together rather than conflict during permit review.
The site plan addresses driveway and access placement, stormwater management features, and building orientation, so the general contractor has everything needed before breaking ground. For projects requiring separate permit documentation, our permit drawings team prepares those alongside the site plan. If the project also requires electrical distribution planning, our electrical plans MEP team coordinates that scope with the site layout.
Software Behind Our Site Plans and Elevations
- Industry-standard CAD software is used for drafting and dimensional accuracy
- Bluebeam Revu manages plan review and markup during revisions
- Survey data is verified against local jurisdiction setback and easement requirements
Turnaround Time for Site Plans and Elevations
We complete most site plans and elevations within 5 to 10 business days, depending on lot complexity and survey data availability. Simple residential lots are often faster, and we confirm exact timing once we review the survey.
How to Submit Your Project Details
Send your property survey, project scope and any existing architectural plans through our contact form or by email. Include the property address and target permit submission date. Our team confirms receipt and sends a project quote back within minutes.
Setback and Easement Compliance
Setback requirements and easement locations vary significantly by jurisdiction, and a site plan that overlooks either one risks rejection at the permit office. Our site plans and elevations verify these requirements against the specific jurisdiction before finalizing the layout, rather than applying a generic assumption that may not match local zoning.
Drainage and Grading Accuracy
We show stormwater drainage and site grading in detail on every site plan, since improper drainage handling is a common reason for permit office pushback. We coordinate elevations with the grading plan, so the finished structure sits correctly relative to the surrounding grade and drainage flow.
Why Builders Choose Our Site Plans and Elevations
Builders and developers rely on our site plans and elevations because the documents hold up under permit review and coordinate cleanly with architectural and structural drawings. We verify every boundary and setback against survey data, check every drainage detail against local stormwater requirements, and dimension every elevation to match the rest of the plan set. Whether the project is a single residential lot or a multi-building development, our site plans and elevations keep the permit process moving without a redesign.
Interactive Tool Suggestion
A Setback and Lot Coverage Checker would let a builder enter a property address and proposed building footprint, then see typical setback requirements and maximum lot coverage for that jurisdiction. This gives builders an early check before committing to a full site plan, which increases time on page and quote form submissions.
FAQ SECTION
What does a site plan and elevation package include
A site plan and elevation package includes property boundary layout, setback verification, drainage and grading details, easement identification and dimensioned elevation drawings formatted for permit submission.
How long does it take to get site plans and elevations
Most site plans and elevations are completed within 5 to 10 business days depending on lot complexity and survey data availability. Simple residential lots are often faster.
Do I need a survey before you can prepare a site plan
Yes, we use an existing property survey as the basis for an accurate site plan. If you do not have one, we can advise on next steps to obtain current survey data.
Are the site plans checked against local setback requirements
Yes. We verify setback and easement requirements against the specific jurisdiction before finalizing the site plan, reducing the chance of permit office rejection.
Can you coordinate site plans with existing architectural drawings
Yes. Site plans and elevations are prepared to coordinate directly with architectural and structural drawings so the full document set works together during permit review.
