New Single-Family Home Plans
Complete drafting for a new house, from early layout to a full construction plan set.
- Floor plans & roof plans
- Exterior elevations
- Sections & details
Drafting Services · California
Clear, permit-ready plans for single-family homes, ADUs & up to 4 units — from first sketch to permit-ready plans.
Cal Home Drafting prepares drafting and plan sets for single-family homes, ADUs, and multi-unit projects up to 4 units — new homes, additions, ADUs, duplexes and small multi-unit buildings, remodels, and as-built drawings. We also help you identify every agency involved in your project and understand each step of the construction process.
Single-family, ADUs & up to 4 units
Permit-ready plan sets
Homeowners & property owners
Construction guidance (advisory)
Drafting services for homes, ADUs & up to 4 units
We draft for single-family homes, ADUs, and multi-unit projects up to 4 units — including duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings. That focus keeps our plan sets practical, consistent, and built around how homes actually get permitted.
Home Additions
Room additions, primary-suite expansions, and second-story additions that tie cleanly into the existing house.
- Existing & proposed plans
- Foundation & framing layouts (conventional framing; engineered elements by your structural engineer)
- Matched elevations & rooflines
ADUs & Garage Conversions
Detached, attached, and garage-conversion accessory dwelling units — for extra living space, family, or rental income.
- Site plan & setbacks
- Unit floor plan & elevations
- Utility & egress layouts
Multi-Unit Projects — Up to 4 Units
Drafting for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment projects up to 4 units — new builds, conversions, and additions.
- Unit layouts & floor plans for 2–4 units
- Site plan, elevations & sections
- Permit-ready plan sets
Remodels & Alterations
Kitchen and bath remodels, interior reconfigurations, and wall removals for existing homes — with engineered beams by your structural engineer.
- Demolition & proposed plans
- Kitchen & bath layouts
- Interior elevations
As-Built Drawings
Measured drawings of an existing house — the starting point for a remodel, addition, or permit record.
- Measured floor plans
- Existing elevations
- Roof & site documentation
Permit Sets & Plan-Check Revisions
Plan sets organized for city submittal, plus drafting revisions when plan check sends corrections back.
- Title sheet & site plan
- Code & energy notes coordination
- Correction revisions
Finding All the Agencies
We help you identify every agency and office involved in your project, so nothing is missed.
- City or county planning & building
- Public works, water & sewer / septic
- Utilities, fire & other approvals to check
Guidance Through Construction
Step-by-step guidance through the construction process, from plans and permits to building and inspections.
Advisory guidance only. We don't build, supervise contractors or perform inspections.
- The order of steps, explained clearly
- Permits & consultant coordination
- What to expect at each stage of construction
Multi-unit projects, in detail — 2 to 4 units
Multi-unit work is a bigger step than a single house: more households on one lot means the site, the parking, and the way the units fit together all have to be solved on paper first. Here is what these projects look like, size by size — everything below is within our scope of up to 4 units.
Yes — up to 4 dwelling units total on the lot, including any existing home, ADU or JADU. Conventional wood-frame, up to two stories plus basement. Some agencies require a licensed architect or engineer for parts of 3–4 unit buildings.
What “multi-unit” covers
A multi-unit project puts two or more complete homes — each with its own kitchen, bath, and entrance — on a single lot, in one building or a small group of buildings. Depending on the lot and the city's rules, that can take several forms:
- Side-by-side unitsHomes sharing a wall, each with its own front door — the classic duplex and fourplex form, and one that can read as a single large house from the street.
- Stacked flatsUnits arranged one over another, reached by an exterior stair or a shared entry — a good fit where the lot is narrower or sloped.
- Small apartment-style projectsOne compact building of up to 4 flats around a shared stair, or two smaller buildings on one lot arranged around a shared driveway or courtyard.
- Conversions & added unitsTurning an existing house into two or more units, or adding units to a property that already has a home on it — starting from measured drawings of what is there today.
By unit count
Duplex
Two homes in one building — the most common first multi-unit project, and often the easiest fit on a residential lot.
- Side-by-side with mirrored or matching layouts, or one unit over the other
- Separate entrances, with private yards or patios where the lot allows
- New build, or a conversion that splits one house into two homes
Triplex
Three homes on one lot — a step up in rental income that still stays at a residential scale.
- Three side-by-side attached units, or a pair plus a stacked flat
- Mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts in one building
- Often built as one building, or a duplex plus a detached third unit
Fourplex
Four homes in a single building or two duplex buildings — the largest project many small owners take on, and a common long-term hold.
- Two-over-two stacked flats, four attached units in a row, or a courtyard layout
- Repeated unit plans keep drafting and construction straightforward
- Shared driveway and parking court laid out on the site plan
Laying out the units
Good multi-unit plans are worked out unit by unit before the building around them. The layout questions we draft through include:
- Unit mix & sizesHow many one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes the project should hold, and how big each one is.
- Entries & privacyPrivate entrances where the lot allows, windows and outdoor space arranged so neighboring units are not looking straight into each other.
- Repeated, buildable plansMirrored or repeated unit layouts, stacked kitchens and baths, and shared walls planned for sound and fire separation between homes.
- Everyday detailsIn-unit or shared laundry, storage, and a patio, balcony, or yard for each home where the site plan can fit it.
Site, parking & access
On a multi-unit lot, the site plan carries as much weight as the floor plans. What we work through with you:
- ParkingHow many spaces your city requires for the unit count, and how they fit — garages, carports, open spaces, or a shared parking court, plus guest parking where it is required.
- Driveways & accessDriveway width and placement, maneuvering room, and keeping emergency and trash access workable on the lot.
- Fit on the lotSetbacks, lot coverage, and height limits checked against the number of units — so the project is sized to what the lot and zoning actually allow.
- Utilities & servicesWater, sewer, and electrical service for several homes on one lot — including separate metering where the utility and city allow it — plus space for trash and recycling enclosures.
What a multi-unit plan set includes
A multi-unit set covers everything a single-family set does, plus the sheets that come with several homes on one lot. Scope is confirmed for each project before drafting starts, and structural sheets are coordinated with your engineer.
Planning a project of 2 to 4 units? Tell us the lot and the unit count and we will confirm what is possible there.
- Site plan with parkingBuildings, setbacks, driveways, parking spaces and counts, trash enclosure, and site notes for the whole lot.
- Floor plan for every unit typeDimensioned layouts for each distinct unit plan in the project, plus overall building floor plans for each level.
- Elevations, sections & roof planExterior views and heights for the building as a whole, building sections, and the roof plan.
- Separation & egress detailsDetails for the walls and floors between units, and exit paths from each home, drawn for coordination with your engineer and the city's requirements.
- Foundation, framing & detailsStructural layouts prepared for your engineer of record, construction details, general notes, and Title 24 energy documentation coordination.
What a typical plan set includes
Scope is confirmed for each project before drafting starts, but a residential plan set — for a single-family home, an ADU, or a multi-unit project up to 4 units — commonly covers the sheets below. If your project needs engineering, we coordinate the drawings with your structural engineer so the set goes in complete.
- Site planProperty lines, setbacks, existing and proposed structures, and site notes.
- Floor plansDimensioned layouts for each level, existing and proposed where the project changes an existing home.
- Elevations & sectionsExterior views, heights, roof pitches, and building sections.
- Foundation, framing & roof plansStructural layouts prepared for coordination with your engineer of record.
- Details & notesConstruction details, general notes, and Title 24 energy documentation coordination.
How a project moves
A straightforward path from first conversation to a plan set ready for permit submittal.
1
Project call
Tell us about your project — a single-family home, an ADU, or a building up to 4 units — and what you want to build. We confirm scope, what the city will need, and give you a quote.
2
Measurements & info
We gather measurements, photos, and any existing plans or records for the property.
3
Draft design
The layout is drafted and shared with you for review before the set is built out.
4
Review & revise
We revise the drawings based on your feedback and coordinate with your engineer if the project needs one.
5
Final plan set
You receive the finished set, ready for permit submittal — with drafting support for plan-check corrections.
From the drafting table
Site plans, blueprints, and early sketches — the working drawings behind every single-family, ADU, and multi-unit project.
Common projects — homes, ADUs & up to 4 units
From backyard ADUs and room additions to duplexes and small multi-unit buildings up to 4 units — planned around your lot, your goals, and local rules.
Backyard ADUs
A detached ADU can add a rental, a place for family, or a home office. We draft the site plan, floor plan, and elevations sized to your lot, setbacks, and local ADU rules — so the unit fits the property instead of fighting it.
Room Additions
An addition starts with accurate drawings of the house as it stands today. We document the existing home, then draft the addition so rooflines, foundations, and framing all line up with what is already there.
2 — 4 Units
Multi-Unit Projects — Up to 4 Units
We also draft for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment projects up to 4 units. That includes new multi-unit builds, adding units, and conversions — with site plans, unit layouts, elevations, and permit-ready plan sets sized to your lot and local rules.
Whether it is 2 units or 4, tell us about the lot and the number of units you have in mind through the quote form below.
Single-Family & ADUs
Single-Family Homes & ADUs
Our core work also includes new single-family homes and ADUs of all types — detached, attached, and garage conversions. If you are not sure whether your idea counts as an ADU or a multi-unit project, ask us and we will help you sort out the best path for your lot.
Projects
Two single-family homes we drafted — a modern two-story home in Bishop, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and a single-story home with a pergola front porch in Ventura — plus two more projects now in progress in June Lake.
Bishop, CA
A completed two-story single-family home in Bishop. Dark board-and-batten siding and standing-seam metal roofing give it a clean, modern profile against the Sierra Nevada foothills, with a single-car garage and a covered entry at the front.
Bishop, California
Ventura, CA
A completed single-story single-family home in Ventura. Smooth white stucco and clay tile roof accents pair with a natural wood front door and a timber pergola shading the front porch, set behind a full front lawn.
Ventura, California
June Lake, CA
Now in progress in June Lake — shown here in an isometric view of the front of the building. The design centers on a two-story building with pitched metal roofs, upper balconies, and covered entries, with single-story wings on each side.
June Lake, California
June Lake, CA
Now in progress in June Lake — a 2-bedroom modern ski chalet, shown here in the colored elevation drawings: north, south, east, and west views. The design is a two-story hillside home with gray siding, blue-tinted glass, dark metal roofs, and a wraparound deck that steps with the slope of the lot.
June Lake, California
Questions homeowners & owners ask
What types of projects do you draft for?
We draft for single-family homes, ADUs, and multi-unit projects up to 4 units. That includes new single-family homes, additions, ADUs and garage conversions, duplexes, triplexes, and small multi-unit buildings up to 4 units, plus remodels and as-built drawings. We do not take on commercial projects or multi-unit buildings over 4 units.
Do you do multi-unit projects?
Yes — up to 4 dwelling units total on the lot, including any existing home, ADU or JADU. Conventional wood-frame, up to two stories plus basement. Some agencies require a licensed architect or engineer for parts of 3–4 unit buildings. We can help with duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and other small multi-unit projects up to 4 units, including new builds, conversions, and adding units. Tell us the lot, the city, and how many units you are hoping for, and we will confirm what is possible.
What kinds of multi-unit buildings do you draft?
The forms that fit 2 to 4 homes on a residential lot: side-by-side duplexes and fourplexes, stacked flats one over another, and small apartment-style buildings of flats around a shared stair. A project can also be two smaller buildings on one lot — for example two duplexes sharing a driveway. See the multi-unit section above for the size-by-size breakdown.
Can the units in one project have different sizes and layouts?
Yes. Most projects mix unit sizes — for example two-bedroom attached units alongside a one-bedroom flat — and we draft a floor plan for each distinct unit type in the project. Repeating or mirroring layouts where we can keeps the building simpler and less expensive to frame.
How much parking does a multi-unit project need?
Parking is set by your city's rules and usually scales with the number and size of the units, sometimes with guest parking on top. Because parking takes real space on the lot, we lay it out on the site plan at the very start — garages, carports, open spaces, or a shared parking court — before the floor plans are finalized, so the unit count you want and the parking you need are solved together.
Can an existing house be converted into a duplex or more units?
Often, yes — if the zoning and the existing building allow it. A conversion starts with measured as-built drawings of the house as it stands, then existing and proposed plans showing how it divides into separate homes, each with its own entrance, kitchen, and bath. We will tell you early if a conversion looks difficult, so you can weigh it against building new.
What is the largest multi-unit project you will take on?
Four units. We draft duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Buildings over 4 units, and commercial projects, are outside our scope — if your project grows past 4 units, we will say so up front rather than stretch the plans.
What do you need from me to start?
The property address, a short description of what you want to build, and anything you already have — a survey, old plans, or photos. For additions and remodels, we also arrange measurements of the existing house so the new drawings match what is there.
Will my project need an engineer or other consultants?
Many projects — single-family, ADU, and multi-unit — need a licensed structural engineer, and some need energy (Title 24) documentation or a survey. We prepare the drafting and coordinate our drawings with your consultants so the plan set is complete. If you do not have an engineer yet, we can flag that early so it does not slow the project down.
Do you submit the plans to the city for me?
Our work is the drawings themselves: a complete, organized plan set ready for submittal, plus drafting revisions if plan check issues corrections. We do not submit or track permits. Submittal and permit fees are handled by you or your contractor, and we stay available for the drawing questions that come back.
How do you find out all the agencies involved?
It depends on where your project is. We help you identify the agencies and offices for that location — typically city or county planning and building, public works, water and sewer or septic, utility providers, and fire — along with the approvals or checks each one may require.
Do you guide homeowners through construction?
Yes. Beyond the drawings, we explain the construction process in order — fitting the home to the lot, permits and approvals, coordinating with your engineer and contractor, and the inspections to expect as the home is built.
How is pricing handled?
Every project is different, so drafting is quoted per project after a short call about the scope — a garage conversion, a two-story addition, and a 4-unit building are very different amounts of drawing. Send the project details through the quote form and we will come back with a price and what it includes.
Request a quote
Tell us about your project — a single-family home, an ADU, or a multi-unit project up to 4 units, and we will get back to you.
Contact
Email is the fastest way to reach us. Include your property address or city and a line or two about the project, and attach any plans or photos you already have.
Drafting and construction guidance for homeowners and property owners — for single-family homes, ADUs, and multi-unit projects up to 4 units — across California.