Understanding the True Cost of In-House Drafting
Many millwork manufacturers assume that keeping drafting in-house is the most efficient choice. However, once labor, software, training, workloads, and operational overhead are factored in, in-house drafting often becomes one of the highest expenses in a shop — and a major limiter of production capacity.
Drafting bottlenecks slow down submittals, delay fabrication, frustrate clients, and impact your ability to win new projects. As demand for fast, accurate architectural millwork shop drawings increases, more shops are discovering that outsourcing their drafting department is a more scalable and profitable model.
Why In-House Drafting Creates Operational Bottlenecks
As the workload grows, in-house drafting teams often struggle with inconsistent capacity. One month they’re overloaded, and the next they’re underutilized. This variability leads to slow turnaround times and unpredictable schedules.
Additionally, hiring and training new employees is expensive. Drafting software such as Microvellum, Cabinet Vision, and SolidWorks requires ongoing licensing, maintenance, and technical expertise. When a single employee leaves, the whole workflow can fall apart.
How Outsourcing Eliminates Drafting Bottlenecks
Partnering with an experienced drafting provider like Breakline Solutions allows millwork companies to stabilize their workflow immediately. Instead of worrying about staffing, training, or software, outsourcing provides an experienced team ready to produce precise, production-ready drawings whenever needed.
With around-the-clock drafting support, you can:
- Increase shop capacity without increasing payroll
- Prevent project delays caused by drafting backlogs
- Scale up or down instantly based on workload
- Improve the quality and consistency of drawings
- Accelerate installation schedules and reduce rework
Cost Comparison: In-House vs Outsourced Drafting
When factoring in salary, taxes, software, hardware, training, and benefits, a single in-house drafter can cost over $80,000–$120,000 per year. Outsourcing eliminates these expenses entirely while delivering work at a fraction of the cost.
Outsourcing also reduces overhead, including:
- Software licensing (Microvellum, AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
- Workstation upgrades
- HR and onboarding time
- Vacation coverage and staffing shortages
How Breakline Solutions Supports Your Shop Growth
At Breakline Solutions, we specialize in producing highly accurate shop drawings, millwork drafting, and CAD drafting packages tailored to your fabrication standards. You get a full-service drafting team without the overhead — and with guaranteed accuracy and consistency.
Whether you're handling commercial interiors, custom cabinetry, architectural casework, or high-end residential projects, our detailed drawings help prevent rework, reduce shop errors, and keep production moving fast.
Conclusion
Outsourcing your drafting isn’t just cost-effective — it’s a long-term strategic advantage. Shops that remove drafting bottlenecks experience smoother production, improved profitability, and room for growth.
Contact Mark at 856-404-3117 to discover how Breakline Solutions can eliminate your drafting bottlenecks and help scale your millwork business with confidence.
