I'm getting tired of paying a drafter 125/hr, to create my design. I would like to take the steps to start designing my own houses that i build. I read a lot of blueprints, so i have a general idea of how to layout them out. I just need to learn a software to create them. They will need to easily pass the planning department. 

I heard a lot about sketch draw. Is there a good step by step book you can direct me to that has good direction? 

Youtube usualy has a lot of videos that can help you learn new software but I have a feeling you may be undestimating the amout of time it will take you to learn how to use the program.  For a 125 an hour I have a feeling your are getting more than just drafting services.  Is your drafter doing a code anayliss to make sure the design is code compliant?  Theres also the cost of the software and your drafter is probaly doing a lot of problem solving and stuff you may not see or be thinking about.

I've also never heard of sketch draw but if you are going to take the time to learn how to use software I would stick to something a little more mainstream.  I would assume your current drafter is using an autodesk product, probably Revit or Autocad.  I would reccomed learning one of these programs.  There is alot more learning resorces and support for these.  You should be able to get a subscription for one of these for about $50 a month.  I have been using Revit since 2007 and took a class in college, but it probaly took 2 years before I was proficient using it so be prepared to spend some time learing any software.  

Originally posted by @Sean H. :

I'm getting tired of paying a drafter 125/hr, to create my design. I would like to take the steps to start designing my own houses that i build. I read a lot of blueprints, so i have a general idea of how to layout them out. I just need to learn a software to create them. They will need to easily pass the planning department. 

I heard a lot about sketch draw. Is there a good step by step book you can direct me to that has good direction? 

I will say this. It wont be popular for some contractors. 

A real builder can build what you want if he is skilled in what he does. I once built a house from a drawing on a paper sack. 2200 sq. foot too. It's simple math and logic. 

That being said, the wild west is over and banks want a print. They call that progress I guess but I think the only progress is in the banks bottom line on their loan and your monthly note. 

Try Google Sketch Up. They have free training with a little searching or AutoCad has a free student version if you have a student in school and you can get up to 3 computers installed. AutoCad is a beast to figure out though.  

Originally posted by @Christpher Schuebel :

Youtube usualy has a lot of videos that can help you learn new software but I have a feeling you may be undestimating the amout of time it will take you to learn how to use the program.  For a 125 an hour I have a feeling your are getting more than just drafting services.  Is your drafter doing a code anayliss to make sure the design is code compliant?  Theres also the cost of the software and your drafter is probaly doing a lot of problem solving and stuff you may not see or be thinking about.

I've also never heard of sketch draw but if you are going to take the time to learn how to use software I would stick to something a little more mainstream.  I would assume your current drafter is using an autodesk product, probably Revit or Autocad.  I would reccomed learning one of these programs.  There is alot more learning resorces and support for these.  You should be able to get a subscription for one of these for about $50 a month.  I have been using Revit since 2007 and took a class in college, but it probaly took 2 years before I was proficient using it so be prepared to spend some time learing any software.  

Im just talking about about a drafter, who draws up the plans. Not a full architect who overlays planning and code. If that was the case, i would have no problem with that rate. Albeit, i have become acquainted with a lot of the codes, after building several houses.  After a quick google search, it seems revit is 290/month and autocad is 200/month! Where are you going for 50/month?

https://www.autodesk.com/produ...

Get the LT version. unless you're doing 3D renderings this will work fine