In brief
You’ll have a coordinated set of drawings that matches site conditions, keeps landlord comments contained, and gives your contractor and suppliers one version to build from without guesswork.
I’ll measure what’s on site, test-fit the layout against the lease rules, then produce a submission-ready pack and fit-out set. Next, you’ll get dates for the site measure and first issue.
I start by building a base plan I trust, because every downstream drawing inherits its errors. I measure the unit, set up a clean CAD background, then run a test fit with key dimensions locked. Once you sign off the layout, I compile the SANS 10400 submission pack and issue the fit-out drawings for quoting and site work.
A bit about me
I’m Pieter Malan, an architectural technologist focused on commercial architectural drawings and submissions. Most of my work sits in the gap between a signed lease and a start date, when landlord rules, kitchen layouts, and site realities all need to land in one set of drawings that builders can price and plan scrutiny can check.
I’m picky about the unglamorous parts that stop delays: measuring what’s actually built, calling out missing dimensions, and locking critical sizes before anything gets issued. I also keep drawings controlled, so the landlord, contractor, and consultants work from the same revision, with changes tracked instead of re-drafted from memory.
Recent work
A few recent commercial drawing packages where the job was keeping approvals and site work aligned on one set of CAD drawings.
Portfolio
Retail unit measured drawings. Measured an empty shell and produced a CAD base plan with clear gridlines, openings, and services locations, so the tenant fit-out could be priced off a single background instead of conflicting markups.
Restaurant test fit and layout. Prepared a test-fit plan around kitchen equipment sizes and circulation, then issued a dimensioned layout for landlord review. Landlord comments were resolved in one round because the rules were drawn, not described.
SANS 10400 submission pack. Compiled plans, sections, and required notes into a submission-ready set, with consistent titles and revision marks, so plan scrutiny could track changes without re-reading the full pack each time.
“The drawings matched site conditions, and the landlord approved them without fuss.”
Restaurant owner, fitting out a leased unit
Measured CAD base plan
A clean AutoCAD background built from a site measure, with walls, openings, key levels where visible, and fixed elements drafted so every later sheet stays consistent.
TEST-FIT LAYOUT PLAN
A dimensioned layout that shows counters, seating, kitchen zones, and circulation in the footprint, set up for landlord review and quick decision-making before documentation starts.
SANS 10400 PLAN PACK
A submission-ready drawing set with the plans, notes, and sheet structure typically required for SANS 10400 scrutiny, formatted so comments can be answered against a revisioned issue.
Tenant fit-out drawing set
The core fit-out plans a contractor can quote and build from, issued as a coordinated set with titles, scales, and revision marks so everyone prices the same information.
REFLECTED CEILING PLAN AND LIGHTING LAYOUT
An RCP showing ceiling zones, soffits where needed, and lighting positions, drawn to coordinate with bulkheads, shopfront lines, and key equipment locations.
AS-BUILT UPDATE SET
An updated CAD set reflecting agreed site changes during the fit-out, so you end with drawings that match what was built and can be used for maintenance and future changes.
Pricing
Pick the level that matches how far along the unit is and how many parties need to sign off. These are typical totals; I’ll confirm once I’ve seen the existing info.
Priced items
Get started
If you want me to hold a slot for the measure-up and first issue, the quickest way is to sign and book it in.
1. Sign this proposal to confirm the commercial AutoCAD drawing set scope. 2. Pay the 25% booking deposit so I can schedule the site measure. 3. Send the lease plan, centre manual, and any kitchen/MEP inputs to start the base plan.
Signature
Fee summary
Can you work from my landlord’s centre manual and rules?
Yes. Send the centre manual, tenant criteria, and any shopfront guidelines before I start the test fit. I’ll draw to those rules and flag conflicts early, so landlord comments stay specific instead of reopening the layout.
DO YOU NEED A SITE VISIT, OR CAN YOU DRAW FROM EXISTING PLANS?
I can start from existing plans, but I still prefer one site visit before the first issue. Old plans often miss moved services or changed openings, and those only show up when you measure against the physical unit.
What do you need from my engineer and kitchen/MEP guys?
I need their equipment schedules and any fixed service requirements early, even if they are preliminary. Locations for extraction, grease lines, floor wastes, and electrical loads affect the layout, ceiling, and submission notes.
HOW MANY REVISIONS ARE INCLUDED BEFORE WE SUBMIT?
I include two revision rounds on the test-fit and two on the submission pack, as long as the brief stays the same. If the scope changes, I’ll price the extra drafting before I do it, in writing.
Payment
To book time in my diary, I invoice 25% when you sign. I invoice the remaining 75% when I hand over the finished drawing set. Each invoice is payable within 14 days of its date.
Inputs I need. Before I start the test fit, send the centre manual, tenant criteria, and any shopfront guidelines. Send equipment schedules and any fixed service requirements early, even if they’re preliminary, so the layout and notes don’t need rework.
Site measure. I can start from existing plans, but I still prefer one site visit before the first issue. If access is delayed, I’ll pause issue dates until I can measure and confirm the critical dimensions on site.
Revisions. My fee includes two revision rounds on the test-fit and two on the submission pack, as long as the brief stays the same. Put all changes for a round into one marked-up set so I can turn it quickly.
Changes to scope
If the scope changes, I’ll price the extra drafting before I do it, in writing. Typical scope changes are layout shifts after kitchen equipment changes, late landlord rule changes, or adding drawings not listed in this proposal.
Issue sets and version control. I issue drawings as dated PDF sets so the landlord, contractor, and plan submission are looking at the same version. If someone needs CAD files for coordination, I’ll confirm the format and what sheets are included before I send them.
Approval timing. I’ll draw to the centre manual and flag conflicts early, but landlord and authority turnaround times sit outside my control. If comments reopen the layout, I’ll treat that as a new instruction and confirm any extra drafting first.
Ownership and use. Once the final invoice is paid, you own the right to use the finished drawing set for this site and this fit-out. I keep the working CAD files and can update them later as a separate piece of work.
