Gillmore Designs 

Drafting and Design Service Company

We are a small team of qualified architectural draftsmen and civil engineers.  Johns love for drafting began in 1998 where he progressed through the years designing Big Box store fixtures to a  well known architectural firm LPA Inc, to hold roles of increasing responsibility, eventually launching his own enterprise and is currently the lead designer and owner of Gillmore Designs. John supervises all architectural drawings and site surveys, ensuring accuracy delivering excellent customer satisfaction. Sarah leads all of engineering services. Our focus on delivering complete client satisfaction, together with well over 30 years of combined experience allows us to make your drafting project a success. 

Residential Additions

Specializing in small residential additions and small projects that other large Architects turn away because they only like the "large" projects. 

Commercial & Education Projects

Need record drawings? Got a small modernization project that is just too small for the big firms?  Give us a call and let us meet your needs.  We have several consultants in the area who provide mechanical, structural or other engineering needs to make your vision of a project a completed and functional design.  

Grading Plans and Permit Drawings

Need a grading plan for the city county? Or maybe you have a violation or need permit drawings for an existing structure? We have drafters and engineers on staff who can assist in getting your plans approved. 

A Projects Story

How a typical project is formed and why you get the services you pay for. 

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation is the starting point. During this first meeting whether it is in person, by telephone or by video conference we will discuss the scope of your project. We’ll discuss your tastes, what style of design you like,  what type of floor plan layout you’re looking for, the living and total area square footages you would like to work within, what type of structure you would like to use (concrete block, wood frame), how you will use the spaces inside and outside your home, how many floors you would like, your lot, where it is located, the size of your lot, any trees or structures you want to keep, any type of restrictions you may know about, what type of vistas you may have and the placement of the house on the lot. 


Items that would be helpful for this process are:

  • Boundary Survey
  • Topographical Survey
  • Geotechnical and Soil Report
  • Any state, county and community restrictions and requirements including required set-backs and height restrictions for your lot.
  • Any other information that may affect the building and build-able space.

For remodels we will need measurements and pictures of your house. In addition, plans of your house would be very helpful if you have them.

These items are not required for this meeting however if you decide to move forward with the project they may be required before we can start.

The Proposal and Contract

Once the initial meeting is complete we will prepare a proposal for you. This process usually takes about 3 business days but can take up to one week. Once the proposal is prepared we will send it to you for your review. At this point we will either schedule another meeting to answer any questions you may have or if you do not have any questions you can sign the proposal and send it to us along with the required deposit. Once the signed proposal and deposit are received by us we will execute the proposal turning it into our project contract. You will receive a copy of the executed contract along with a list of items needed for us to begin work such as the items listed under the initial consultation. Once we receive the required items your project will be added to the project work list and we will contact you to set up an appointment for the design development consultation.

Design Consultation

This is the meeting where the designer will really get to know you so that he may design a project that is specific to your taste, lifestyle, desires and needs. During this consultation we will cover:

  1. The scope of your project in detail
    We will review all of the required items and discuss how, if any, the different requirements, codes and land structures will come into play in your design.
  2. Your tastes, preferences, likes, dislikes, style and lifestyle
    There will be lots of questions asked and we may even look at pictures to focus in on your tastes. If you have pictures or anything you want to share please have that available.
  3. Review Energy requirements and new changes that will affect your project.  Review the existing conditions like rot or roofing repairs. 

Please be aware that the scope of projects can vary greatly as well as their timelines. We are dedicated to keeping you informed of every aspect of the design process. We will communicate with you at least once a week via e-mail or telephone to give you updates on the progress of your project. If at any time you need to speak to us or have any questions please know that we will always make ourselves available for you.


Design Development 

Creating the design concept is a multi-faceted process. Our staff may contact you with questions about preferences and lifestyle throughout this phase. Once the initial design concept is ready to present, we will scheduled a meeting where you will be presented with it. We will go through the design in detail getting your feedback on what you like and do not like about the design. Often there will be changes needed in order to meet your needs and preferences. In some rare cases, you may not like the design. After the meeting the designer will make the changes or re-design the plan and then set up another meeting with you to go over the revisions or new design. This process will continue until you are completely happy with your design.


If you are going to have a builder, interior designer, pool designer or landscape architect it is wise to start involving them at this point in the design process. Their input can be valuable in saving time and possibly money due to modifications that may be needed later in the construction drawings process. It is important that all of your needs and preference be addressed in this phase as it is more difficult to make design changes once the construction documents have been started. By the end of this process, however, we will have a complete design concept that meets your approval and we will be ready to move on to the next phase.

A Idea is Born with Construction Documents

Once we have decided on a project plan and elevations the next step is to begin the construction documents. These documents are the instructions in which your builder will use to build the house. A cad tech will be assigned to your project for completion of this phase. Also, during this phase we give you a finishing schedule to fill out so that we may call out all the finishing materials and products you would like to use in the construction of your home. Once the documents are complete you will be given a copy to review. We encourage you to share the plans with your builder, interior designer, pool designer and landscape architect if applicable. Upon your final approval this will be your completed design and construction documents that you or your builder will use to construct your Project**

At this point, it will be time to celebrate as the building process can begin!


**Please note:
Depending on where you live there may be some requirements by your state or local government before you can actually begin the building process. Some localities require that an architect or engineer seal the plans and all localities require a building and/or zoning permit. 

Construction and Observation 

Most Architects and Engineers stop their services once the project is approved, we keep touch with our clients and schedule site visits where they are needed to take the design into reality.