What does a construction drawing cost in 2026? Complete price guide

What does a construction drawing contain?

A construction drawing for a permit application consists of a standardised file with several components. The floor plan shows the layout per storey, the circulation paths, and the relationship between spaces. Floor plans are drawn at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100 depending on the project size. The facade elevations show the exterior of the building, usually four sides (front, back, left, right) at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100. For renovations, a comparison between the existing situation and the new situation is mandatory; sometimes this is shown side by side as "before and after", other times via hatched new parts.

The cross-section drawing shows how the building is constructed internally: floor layers, roof slopes, beams, load-bearing walls, and the interaction between storeys. For projects with a load-bearing structure, this drawing is essential because the structural engineer bases the structural calculation on it. The site plan shows the building in the broader context of the plot, with plot boundaries, surrounding buildings, and any garden layouts. An aesthetic (welstand) explanation gives a textual account of the materialisation choices (facade material, roof shape, colour palette) and how they connect to the aesthetic (welstand) policy document of the municipality in question.

Prices per project type

For a dormer we charge from €449. A dormer is structurally simple compared with other interventions because it is primarily an extension above the roof surface without major adjustments to the load-bearing structure. The price includes the floor plan, front and side elevation, cross section with roof slope, and aesthetic (welstand) explanation. For dormers on the street side of aesthetically sensitive (welstand) areas, we add an extensive aesthetic (welstand) explanation as standard because aesthetics committees assess more strictly here.

For a ground-floor extension we charge from €749. An extension requires floor plans for both the ground floor and the rear garden (site plan), a facade elevation at the rear, and a cross section that shows how the extension connects to the existing home. For extensions with flat roofs we add a roof view; for extensions with conservatory roofs a second cross section that shows the glass structure. The average price is €950 because many extension projects include a sliding door or French doors whose exact specifications must be drawn.

For a rear extension on the side or back we charge from €950. A rear extension differs from an extension in that a whole extra room or space is added to the existing house, often with its own foundation and roof shape. Floor plans show both the existing and the new situation, and the cross sections show how the extension connects structurally. The average price is €1.450 because most rear extensions also require a new roof structure, which prompts a second drawing round.

For a roof addition or ridge raise we charge from €1.299 because this always requires a +Structure package. Roof additions add a new storey on the existing roof surface, which fully affects the foundation calculation, beam layer, and roof structure. A structural engineer must demonstrate that the existing foundation can bear the extra load, or propose reinforcement. The construction drawing here is therefore always linked to a structural calculation, and the final price is almost always above €1.500.

For home splitting we charge from €1.499 for a split into two. In a split, one dwelling unit is divided into two or more independent units, which requires a partition drawing that names each unit separately and maps the communal spaces (stairwell, hall, bicycle storage). The notary needs this file in order to register the split in the cadastre. For selling in parts to different owners, an Owners' Association (Vereniging van Eigenaren) deed is the logical next step.

When is a structural calculation added?

A structural calculation is mandatory when a building activity affects the load-bearing structure of the building. This covers almost all roof additions and ridge raises because the extra load rests on the existing foundation and load-bearing walls. Rear extensions exceeding 6m² also usually require a structural calculation, especially when they have a new roof shape. For extensions with large glass surfaces (a sliding door over 5 metres), a structural calculation is mandatory because the overlying load must be distributed via a lintel beam. For dormers, a structural calculation is rarely requested unless the dormer is wider than 60% of the roof surface or projects deeper than 1,5 metres inward.

Our structural calculation costs from €395 as a separate service and is automatically included in the +Structure package from €1.299. A structural engineer (a qualified building engineer) makes the calculations on the basis of the construction drawing: loads from self-weight, snow load, wind load, and use loads. The result is a report with the dimensioning of beams, columns, and any reinforcement bars. This report is submitted together with the permit application and is the legal substantiation for the structural safety of the design.

Municipal permit fees: a separate cost item

In addition to our drawing costs, you pay municipal permit fees (leges) to the municipality where you live. These are costs that the municipality charges for handling your permit application, not to us. Permit fees vary widely between municipalities and depend on the construction sum of your project. For regular building activities, permit fees in 2026 are generally between €985 (Almere) and €1.450 (Amsterdam). Monumental inner cities such as the protected townscape of Utrecht or the UNESCO canal belt of Amsterdam have higher permit fees that can rise to €4.200 due to heritage-conservation assessment.

For projects in aesthetically sensitive (welstand) areas, an aesthetic (welstand) surcharge is often added. For projects in earthquake areas (Groningen), a seismic-assessment surcharge of on average €420 applies. For river-floodplain areas (Nijmegen, Lent), a high-water assessment is added, on average €450. We assess in advance which surcharges apply to your project and give a transparent estimate of the total costs so that you are not caught off guard.

Our revision policy

We hold a preliminary consultation with the aesthetics (welstand) committee prior to the application, which strongly reduces the chance of a refusal. Should the committee still request a change to our drawing at the final assessment, we bear the cost of that adjustment. We cannot offer an acceptance guarantee, the assessment remains with the municipality. This sets us apart from architects who bill adjustments on an hourly basis, which results in unexpected additional costs.

For changes at the customer's request, a revision policy applies in which two rounds are free of charge. The first revision is for the direct feedback after we have delivered the first drawing. The second revision is for fine-tuning after internal consultation with a contractor or partner. For a third or later revision round, we charge €95 per hour of drawing time; this usually does not occur because the first two rounds prove more than sufficient.

What is the average lead time?

Our standard lead time is 7 working days from the moment we have received all the required input. For a dormer, we can deliver faster. Often within 3 working days. For more complex projects with a structural calculation, we count on 7-10 working days. Should there be a need for speed (within 48 hours), we can arrange express delivery against a 50% rush surcharge.

For a permit application, in addition to our drawing phase, the municipal procedure is also relevant. The regular procedure takes 8 weeks from submission to decision. In aesthetically sensitive (welstand) areas, this rises to 11-13 weeks. For extensive procedures (deviation from the zoning plan), count on 26 weeks. During this period, we keep you informed of the status and intervene immediately should the municipality request adjustments.

Difference between a drawing and an architect's design

A construction drawing is a standardised technical file that the municipality needs in order to grant a permit. It shows what is going to be built, in what way, and in what proportions. An architect's design covers more: developing the idea, devising spatial concepts, materialisation choices, and supervising construction. For 90% of Dutch building projects (dormer, extension, rear extension, garage, shed), an architect is overkill. A building draughtsman delivers the same permit-ready file for a fraction of the price.

For projects where you really do need an architect. Think of new-build homes, drastic renovations, monumental conversions, or commercial premises. We often work together with an architect from our network. The architect does the design, we do the execution-technical file. This combines the best of both worlds at lower total costs than when an architect delivers the entire process.

Practical tips for requesting a quotation

When you request a quotation, give us as much information in advance as possible so that we can immediately give a fixed price. Send photos of the current situation, a description of what you want to change, and any existing drawings or floor plans. State the municipality where the project is located so that we can immediately check which aesthetic (welstand) rules apply. Indicate when you want to start so that we can coordinate the planning.

Many customers have doubts about whether a permit is actually needed. We check free of charge via the permit check (Vergunningcheck) whether your plan is permit-free. Permit-free is, for example, a dormer at the rear under 1,75m in height (provided it is welstand-free in your municipality), a rear extension under 5m², or a shed under 30m³. For projects that do require a permit, you get a fixed price in advance that covers the drawing costs; the permit fees are always separate. View our /pakketten/ overview for the three packages Drawing package, +Structure, and Complete that cover the most common renovation projects.