McFarland Designs uses the latest computer aided drafting programs- currently ACAD2007, we also do hand/board drafting at times. McFarland Designs has always produced very detailed plans which we like to call ‘builder friendly plans’, as they are much simpler to build, eliminating the guess work in the construction process, and in the estimating of construction costs, therefore saving you money, time, and headaches.
Our typical plans include:
• Site plan and Gen. Information- this includes the full site/property with the proposed location of the building or addition along with the streets, setbacks, easements, BMP information for pads, slopes and drainage.
• Floor plan(s)- this includes the plan view of the floor areas of all the different levels with full dimensioning, this is the plan they use to frame the walls and for reference.
• Elevations- this is for the exterior views of all sides of the building, we put in extra detail in these views to give you more of an idea what the finished look of the building will be.
• Foundation plan- this plan is for the concrete footings, stem walls and slabs or raised floor construction, and retaining walls along with steel reinforcing, wall and shear hold down anchors, and accurate dimensioning.
• Framing plans- this plan is the most complex, it shows the entire roof system including; the ridges, hips, valleys, overhangs & fascias, all the roof and/or floor construction member sizes, spacing, height and hanger/ connectors, all posts, headers, beams and hardware, and all shear wall panels, hold downs, and their hardware.
• Sections- unlike most plans with 1/4” scale sections with out much detail, McFarland Designs sections are at 3/8” scale, therefore showing more detail where it needs to be shown- in the construction phase.
• Utility plan- this plan includes all the electrical outlets, switches, and lighting, along with all phone, TV, and cat5 cable locations, it also shows all HVAC equipment and water heater locations- all to meet current codes.
• Structural detail sheets- these plans show all the foundation, framing, and shear transfer construction details.
• Title 24 energy calculations- this plan shows all the calculations of the building to meet Title 24 energy requirements, everything from window glazing, shading, HVAC, and water heater sizing.
David McFarland is a native 1962 southern Californian and he has called San Diego County home since 1976. David is married with 3 children (2 boys and 1 girl). David enjoys sports, camping, cars, and construction/ handyman projects, he also enjoys family activities and is very involved with his church.
David graduated from Escondido High School in 1980, and then graduated tops in his class in 1981 from Phoenix Institute of Technology for Architectural drafting and design. After college David went to work for a large commercial contractor doing drafting and design work. At the end of 1981 at the age of 19 he started his own business, doing freelance work for other designers and Architects as well as small additions and remodel jobs for owners and contractors.
David visited many construction projects in his early years, learning construction techniques and details to help him produce builder friendly plans, as McFarland Designs grew David did larger custom home projects and hired additional help through the years. David’s eldest son is planning on attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for an Architectural degree and hopes of one day teaming up with David at McFarland Designs- stay tuned...
McFarland Designs prides itself in; very detailed plans that cater to the owner/ builder, a vast knowledge in construction, and with the gift of design in all phases (architectural to graphics). David also has built 2 speculative projects and has hands-on experience in almost every phase of construction.
With this experience as well as designing ability, this makes McFarland Designs plans an asset to any construction project.