Freelance 3D Drafter Rates Quebec: Complete 2025 Guide
- Marc Déziel
- Nov 22
- 4 min read
Looking for a freelance 3D drafter for your Quebec construction project? Wondering how much it costs and how to choose the right professional?
The price range is wide: $50 to $120 per hour depending on expertise, software, and complexity. A bad choice can cost you $15,000 in errors and 6 weeks of delays.
In this guide, you'll discover real 2025 rates, essential selection criteria, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Average 3D Drafter Rates Quebec 2025
Hourly Rates by Expertise
Level | Rate/hour | Experience | Software |
Junior | $50-65 | 0-2 years | AutoCAD, SketchUp |
Intermediate | $65-85 | 2-5 years | Revit, AutoCAD, 3ds Max |
Senior | $85-110 | 5-10 years | Advanced Revit, BIM 360, Enscape |
BIM Expert | $110-120 | 10+ years | Revit expert, parametric families, coordination |
Rates by Project Type
Project Type | Fixed Rate | Estimated Time |
Simple residential plan | $800-1,500 | 10-20h |
Commercial renovation | $2,000-4,000 | 25-50h |
Institutional BIM model | $5,000-15,000 | 60-150h |
Custom Revit family | $200-600/family | 3-8h |
CNC shop drawings | $3,000-8,000 | 40-100h |
Factors Influencing Price
1. Project Complexity
Simple ($50-65/h):
2D residential plans
Basic elevations
Simple SketchUp models
Medium ($65-85/h):
Commercial Revit models
2-3 discipline coordination
Photorealistic 3D renders
Complex ($85-120/h):
Multidisciplinary institutional BIM
Custom parametric families
CNC shop drawings with schedules
2. Required Software
AutoCAD 2D: $50-70/h
SketchUp + V-Ray: $60-80/h
Revit BIM: $75-100/h
Revit + parametric families: $90-120/h
BIM 360 + coordination: $100-120/h
3. Deadlines
Standard (2-4 weeks): Normal rate
Urgent (1 week): +25-40%
Express (48-72h): +50-75%
4. Included Revisions
1-2 revisions: Included in base rate
3-5 revisions: +15-25%
Unlimited revisions: +30-50%
Comparison: Freelancer vs Established Firm
Independent Freelancer
Advantages:
Lower price ($50-85/h)
Schedule flexibility
Direct communication
Disadvantages:
Limited availability
No backup if unavailable
Fewer guarantees
Limited technical support
Specialized Firm (like DEZIART)
Advantages:
Complete team (guaranteed backup)
Established quality standards
Continuous technical support
Guaranteed deadline compliance
Disadvantages:
Slightly higher price ($75-110/h)
More structured process
Verdict: For projects >$10,000, an established firm reduces risks by 70%.ructuré
10 Criteria to Choose the Right 3D Drafter
1. Verified Portfolio
✅ Check:
Projects similar to yours
3D render quality
BIM model complexity
Verifiable client references
❌ Red flags:
Generic portfolio without Quebec projects
No verifiable references
Projects too simple for your needs
2. Software Mastery
Essential for your project:
Residential: AutoCAD, SketchUp
Commercial: Revit, AutoCAD, 3ds Max
Institutional: Advanced Revit, BIM 360, Navisworks
Custom furniture: Revit parametric families, CNC export
3. Knowledge of Quebec Standards
✅ Must know:
Quebec Construction Code (CCQ)
BNQ and CSA standards
Institutional standards (schools, hospitals)
CNC requirements for cabinetry
4. Sector Experience
Residential: 2+ years minimum
Commercial: 3+ years recommended
Institutional: 5+ years required
BIM coordination: 5+ years essential
5. Communication and Availability
✅ Good sign:
Response <24h
Weekly meetings proposed
Regular progress reports
Available by phone/video
❌ Bad sign:
Response >48h
Email-only communication
No proactive follow-up
6. Structured Work Process
A good 3D drafter must offer:
Scoping meeting (needs, constraints)
Detailed proposal (deliverables, deadlines, price)
Clear approval milestones
Revision management system
Final delivery with documentation
7. Guarantees and Support
✅ Require:
Standards compliance guarantee
Post-delivery support (30-90 days)
Included corrections (1-2 revisions)
Secure file archiving
8. Insurance and Compliance
For projects >$25,000:
Professional liability insurance
Tax compliance (GST/QST)
Detailed written contract
9. Collaboration Tools
Essential for projects >$50,000:
BIM 360 or equivalent
Secure cloud sharing
Version management
Clash detection
10. Verifiable References
Request:
3+ recent references (<12 months)
Similar projects in size/complexity
Contact references directly
Pitfalls to Avoid
❌ Pitfall #1: Choosing the Lowest Price
Risk: Costly errors, delays, poor quality
Solution: Compare 3-4 quotes, prioritize best value
❌ Pitfall #2: Neglecting Quebec Standards
Risk: Non-compliant plans, approval refusal, complete rework
Solution: Verify experience with CCQ, BNQ, CSA
❌ Pitfall #3: No Detailed Contract
Risk: Disputes over deliverables, revisions, deadlines, payments
Solution: Written contract with deliverables, milestones, revision conditions
❌ Pitfall #4: Ignoring Availability
Risk: Delays if freelancer has too many simultaneous projects
Solution: Confirm capacity and realistic deadlines
❌ Pitfall #5: No Backup Plan
Risk: Project blocked if freelancer is unavailable
Solution: Choose a firm with backup team
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Technical Questions
Which software do you master? (versions)
Have you done projects similar to mine?
Do you know applicable Quebec standards?
Can you provide CNC-ready shop drawings?
Do you use BIM 360 for coordination?
Process Questions
What is your step-by-step work process?
How many revisions are included?
What are your typical response times?
How do you handle changes during the project?
Do you offer post-delivery support?
Legal Questions
Do you have professional liability insurance?
Do you provide a written contract?
What are your payment terms?
Who owns the rights to delivered files?
What is your confidentiality policy?
FAQ: 3D Drafter Rates Quebec
How much does a freelance 3D drafter cost in Quebec?
Between $50 and $120 per hour depending on expertise. Junior: $50-65/h, Intermediate: $65-85/h, Senior: $85-110/h, BIM Expert: $110-120/h.
Fixed rate or hourly?
Fixed for well-defined projects (simple residential, Revit families). Hourly for complex projects with probable changes (institutional BIM, coordination).
How long for a commercial Revit model?
Small store (500 m²): 40-60h. Medium store (1,000 m²): 80-120h. Large complex (3,000+ m²): 150-250h.
Do I have to pay for additional revisions?
The first 1-2 revisions are generally included. Beyond that, expect +15-25% of the initial rate per major revision.
How to verify a 3D drafter's quality?
Request a detailed portfolio, 3+ verifiable references, test with a small pilot project (Revit family, simple plan) before entrusting a large project.
📚 References and Resources
DEZIART: Your 3D Drawing and BIM Partner
Need an experienced 3D drafter for your Quebec project? DEZIART offers senior team expertise at your service.
Why choose DEZIART?
✅ 20+ years experience in technical drawing and BIM✅ Institutional expertise: schools, hospitals, CEGEPs✅ Guaranteed compliance with Quebec standards (CCQ, BNQ, CSA)✅ Zero fabrication errors with our CNC-ready shop drawings✅ Continuous bilingual support post-delivery✅ Backup team: no risk of delays✅ Transparent rates: $75-110/h depending on complexity
Our services:
Revit BIM modeling (LOD 300-350)
CNC shop drawings with schedules
Custom parametric Revit families
Multidisciplinary coordination
Photorealistic 3D renders
Custom Revit training
Contact : info@deziart.com | 🌐 Web : www.deziart.com
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