The Hidden Costs of In-House Drafting (and Why Outsourcing Solves Them)
Many millwork, casework, and architectural fabrication companies struggle with a problem that is easy to overlook: the true cost of maintaining an in-house drafting department. What appears to be a simple staffing expense is actually a major operational burden — one that often slows production, reduces profitability, and limits growth.
That’s why more companies are turning toward outsourcing architectural millwork shop drawings as a scalable, predictable, and cost-effective solution. By working with an external drafting team like Breakline Solutions, manufacturers eliminate bottlenecks, reduce overhead, and accelerate their overall workflow.
The Hidden Costs of In-House Drafting
The cost of hiring full-time drafters is much higher than most manufacturers realize. Beyond the hourly wage, companies must also factor in:
- Software licensing — AutoCAD, Microvellum, SolidWorks, or Cabinet Vision can cost thousands per year.
- Computer hardware — High-performance workstations are expensive and require ongoing updates.
- Benefits and payroll taxes — Insurance, PTO, training, payroll fees, and more.
- Workspace and utilities — Every additional employee requires space, equipment, and overhead.
- Training and turnover — Drafting software evolves constantly, requiring ongoing training.
And then there is the biggest cost of all: drafting delays. When shop drawings fall behind, so does the entire project — production, ordering, machining, and installation.
How Outsourcing Eliminates Drafting Bottlenecks
Outsourcing your drafting creates a flexible, always-available workforce that scales with your workload. No more waiting for your in-house drafter to catch up or rushing to hire temporary help during peak seasons.
Breakline Solutions provides reliable drafting capacity across multiple software platforms, including:
Instead of hiring more staff, you gain instant access to a professional team capable of handling detailed architectural millwork shop drawings with accuracy and speed.
Predictable Costs and Bigger Profit Margins
One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing is cost control. Instead of unpredictable staffing costs, you pay only for the drawings you need, when you need them. This improves cash flow and increases profitability — without sacrificing quality.
For growing millwork businesses, this predictable cost structure makes planning easier and reduces financial risk.
Improved Drawing Quality and Fewer Field Errors
Outsourced drafting teams specialize in shop drawings every single day. That level of repetition builds deep expertise across industries such as retail, hospitality, commercial interiors, education, and residential millwork.
This results in:
- Cleaner submittal packages
- More accurate elevations and sections
- Better joinery details
- Fewer RFIs and jobsite corrections
- More reliable CNC-ready files
In short: better drawings lead to smoother fabrication and fewer costly mistakes.
Scale Your Business Without Hiring
If your goal is to grow, outsourcing gives you the ability to take on more projects without expanding your payroll. Whether you take on one project or ten at once, the drafting capacity is always available when you need it.
And as your business grows, outsourcing ensures you never fall behind or turn down work due to drafting limitations.
Conclusion
In-house drafting is expensive, unpredictable, and difficult to scale. Outsourcing your architectural millwork shop drawings transforms drafting into a flexible, high-efficiency service that supports growth rather than limiting it.
Breakline Solutions provides fast, accurate, and affordable millwork drafting services designed to eliminate bottlenecks and support your long-term success.
Contact Mark at 856-404-3117 to learn how outsourcing shop drawings can save you money, improve workflow, and help your business grow.