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Drafting Cafe

Architects

About us

Drafting Cafe provides a unique approach to residential projects in the Bay Area. Design, permitting, and construction are often new challenges for homeowners and difficult to navigate. The majority of our clients are working with an architect for the first time. We provide fixed fees on most projects, and proposals that are easy to understand. Our approach to the design process keeps you in control of the direction of your project, and we'll work closely with you to be sure that the construction budget doesn't get out of control.

Business highlights

18 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Residential Architecture, Kitchen Remodels, Bathroom Remodels, Additions, Plan Drafting, Plan Design, Title 24 Compliance, As-Built Drawings

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes


Accepted payment methods

Check

Reviews

4.49 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
67%
4
0%
3
0%
2
11%
1
11%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.3
value
4.3
professionalism
4.4
responsiveness
4.2
punctuality
4.7
Showing 1-9 of 9 reviews

Anna R.
06/2014
5.0
architect
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: We wanted a quote for plans for a reno we were doing on our bedroom/bathroom. We ultimately did not proceed with this company as they were a bit pricey for what we wanted. However, if we had a bit more to spend and wanted design advice as well as architectural expertise, I'd definitely pursue working with this team again.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
value
4.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Kathy H.
03/2014
5.0
architect
  + -1 more
They were great, professional, creative, and responsive.
Description of Work: I used Drafting Cafe for architectural design for housing.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$5,000

Elizabeth C.
01/2014
5.0
architect
  + -1 more
Ethan was great to work with. He listened to what we wanted, gave us his input (most of which did not match what I had thought would work best). That said, Ethan was immanently professional in giving us exactly what we asked for with no objection, despite that fact that he would have gone in a different direction if it were his house. He knows all of the city's codes for building, and communicated them perfectly to our contractor and to us. There were a few and quot;short cutsand quot; that the contractor wanted to take, but Ethan advised us of the best practices and helped us to keep the contractor on the straight and narrow to our great benefit. You will need to follow up with him as he can be a little late from time to time with plans or in answering questions. I honestly don't mind, and have no problem being a bug when I need to be.
Description of Work: Ethan and his team drew up plans for our kitchen remodel, adding a half bath, and opening up two walls in the back of our home. The plans received approval from the city of Oakland on the first review, which is impressive in itself. Prior to our purchasing our home, Drafting Cafe also did the drawings for a permitted deck that the previous owner added to the house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,300

Response from Drafting Cafe
Thanks for the review! We've taken steps recently to address your very concerns, and now have an Account Manager to manage communication. She's always able to get in touch with me, and assures that our clients are getting quick responses to their needs. Hope things are well with you two.

Katharine L.
12/2013
2.0
architect
  + -1 more
At first the Drafting Cafe was responsive and came out to look at my project. I made sure they had my phone number and gave them my email address as well. Dispite having three ways to contact me, they never did. I had already tracked them down once and wasn't willing to do it again.
Description of Work: .

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
1.0
professionalism
2.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
3.0


Response from Drafting Cafe
Hi [Member name removed], I'm sorry that you never received our quote! We have made changes to our procedures to assure that this doesn't happen again. Our Account Manager assures that all of our clients are taken care of. We are always available - please feel free to contact us with any additional concerns. Best, Ethan

Elizabeth N.
08/2013
1.0
architect
  + -1 more
Two weeks ago my partner filled out the contact form to schedule a consultation for two projects, and we never heard back. I understand if they're too busy to take on more work, but it would have been nice to get some reply.
Description of Work: Absolutely nothing.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0


Response from Drafting Cafe
HI (removed member name), Thank you for alerting us to your attempt to contact us. I sincerely apologize that you we're able to reach us. We always do our best to respond to any inquiries within 24 hours, regardless of our workload. I personally respond to all correspondence for new work with our office. Occasionally things do happen. Because you haven't mentioned your partner's name, I cannot verify if we received their correspondence. Feel free to contact me directly at ethan@draftingcafe.com or 510-251-2511. Best, Ethan Andersen

George L.
04/2013
5.0
architect
  + -1 more
Ethan respose was quick after we sent a email to him.He arrived on time as soon as we were able to meet him.I was amazed at how quick they had our ideas on paper.I found them very reasonable compared to other drafting company's.As soon as we excepted the plan we had the permit plans in a few days.
Description of Work: We contacted Ethan at Drafting Café after good reviews on Angie's list.We needed plans for 2 bathrooms and a Kitchen remodel.We had a budget of 35,000.for the kitchen and 35,000 for the 2 bathrooms.We wanted to change a half bath in the Master Bedroom to a full bath and a main bath to a halfbath.The Kitchen plan was to remove some existing closets for more cabinets.Within a few days we had received a plan.After a few changes we were able to get permit plans within a few days.They were always easy to contact,very professanal,and very knowlegable of codes needed by Alameda County.Ethan took our budget into concideration when designing our project.Andrea was very knowlegable with helping us with some decisions about the bathroom and kitchen design.We have started our project and its going well.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,200

Response from Drafting Cafe
Thanks (Member name removed)! We enjoyed working with you as well. Looking forward to seeing the kitchen and baths completed!

jennifer S.
01/2012
5.0
architect
  + -1 more
I found Drafting Cafe on Angie's List and contacted them to make a Professional Drawing of my Kitchen Remodel Plans to submit to the City for Approval. I emailed them - they called me back the same day and arranged to come to the house and look at my homemade drawings for the project. They quickly produced the drawings that were needed to submit for permit. Excellent Communication- Helpful Suggestions-Reasonable Pricing- Quick Service. Great Company! Highly Recommended.
Description of Work: Drafting Drawing for Kitchen Remodel to submit to City for Permit

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$500

Andrej C.
05/2011
5.0
architect
  + -1 more
We needed a drafter to provide drawings for us to submit to the City of Oakland to obtain a permit and to help our general contractor visualize our plans. I contacted many architects and structural engineers for the project and from the field, selected Ethan. He was always prompt in maintaining contact and we scheduled a free estimate. He was a pleasure to work with; seemed to know what we were looking for, knowledgable in the steps we needed to take to obtain a permit from the City of Oakland, and provided a quick turn around on the end product. Even our general contractor was amazed at how quickly we were able to get the drawings to him. I was able to obtain a city permit without any problems and would definitely use Drafting Cafe again for future projects.
Description of Work: Drafting Cafe provided drawings for us to submit to the City of Oakland for a permit for some remodeling work inside the house. We wanted to expand the master bedroom on the second floor by tearing down an interior wall and building new flooring so that it would extend over the open space between the first and second floors.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,000

    Contact information

    170 Santa Clara Ave. Suite 102, Oakland, CA 94610

    www.draftingcafe.com

    Licensing

    State Contractor License Requirements

    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

    *Contact business to see additional licenses.


    Service Categories

    Architects

    FAQ

    Drafting Cafe is currently rated 4.4 overall out of 5.
    Drafting Cafe accepts the following forms of payment: Check
    Yes, Drafting Cafe offers free project estimates.
    No, Drafting Cafe does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Drafting Cafe does not offer a senior discount.
    No, Drafting Cafe does not offer emergency services.
    No, Drafting Cafe does not offer warranties.
    Drafting Cafe offers the following services: Residential Architecture, Kitchen Remodels, Bathroom Remodels, Additions, Plan Drafting, Plan Design, Title 24 Compliance, As-Built Drawings

    Contact information

    170 Santa Clara Ave. Suite 102, Oakland, CA 94610

    www.draftingcafe.com