A drafting
partner.
Not another sub.
Calgary custom builders and general contractors don't need another company asking for status updates. They need millwork drawings on the schedule, coordinated with the architect, and released to the cabinet shop without re-work. That's what Planar does — and what we don't do is bother you while doing it.
Drawings,
on schedule,
in your stack.
We're not a software vendor or a project-management tool. We're a small team that drafts millwork — and integrates into whatever process your build runs on.
Drawings the cabinet shop opens without questions
Native AutoCAD, Revit, or Mozaik files released to your cabinet shop. Layered properly, dimensioned to AWI standards, hardware schedules attached. The shop opens the file and starts cutting — no phone calls to us, no clarifications back to you.
Two-stage site measure protocol
Initial measure at framing-complete for design, final measure after drywall and rough-ins before release to production. The most common source of cabinet shop change-orders — dimensional drift between framing and finished walls — is gone.
Coordination with the architect, not against them
We work inside the architect's Revit model when one exists, or alongside their CAD set when it doesn't. Cabinet positions reconcile with structural, mechanical, electrical, and HVAC. No discovery on site that the kitchen island conflicts with the main floor beam.
Fixed fee, fixed scope
Quoted at the start of the project after we review the architectural set. No hourly creep, no surprise invoices, no scope confusion. Change-orders quoted in writing before we do the work.
Inside your
existing workflow.
Every Calgary custom builder runs a different process — some on Buildertrend, some on email, some on whiteboards. We work with all of it.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Buildertrend, CoConstruct, JobTread
We can post drawing milestones, RFI responses, and revision logs into your project management platform of choice. Or we can stay in email. Tell us your workflow; we adapt.
COMMUNICATION CADENCE
Weekly status, never more
One short update per week — what we delivered, what's next, any blockers. No status standups, no daily emails, no slack channels we ask you to join. You hear from us when there's something to hear.
CLIENT-FACING ROLE
Visible or invisible — your call
Some builders introduce us directly to homeowners as their millwork specialist. Others prefer to be the single point of contact and have us behind the scenes. Both work. Tell us which on the discovery call.
DELIVERY FORMAT
Native files in your file structure
AutoCAD, Revit, or Mozaik files released to your project folder structure. PDF print sets formatted for your title block conventions. Sheet numbering aligned with the architectural set.
Earlier
is better.
We can engage at any project phase, but cost-of-change rises steeply with each phase. Here's when builders typically bring us in — and what changes if you wait.
PHASE 01
IDEAL
Schematic design
Architect has rough plans, no detailed millwork yet. This is when we can influence cabinet geometry, plumbing rough-ins, and electrical positions. Almost no design wasted, no field re-work later.
PHASE 02
IDEAL
Design development
Architect's set is firming up. Cabinet positions sketched but not dimensioned. We can still influence millwork positions and shape the construction set. Common engagement phase.
PHASE 03
OK
Construction documents
Architectural set is locked. We're working inside fixed openings. Most common engagement phase for builders who want a millwork specialist but don't want to revisit architectural decisions.
PHASE 04
TIGHT
Foundation/framing in progress
Site work is underway, cabinet shop deadlines looming. We can still produce drawings, but limited room to optimise — we're documenting what's already being built.
PHASE 05
LATE
After framing complete
Drywall and rough-ins about to start. Possible but expensive — schedule pressure increases drafting cost and limits design choices. Not recommended unless unavoidable.
We hit
your dates.
Cabinet ordering sits late in the build sequence but drawings must release early. We sequence our work backwards from your cabinet shop's lead time — not from when discovery started.
We work backwards from cabinet lead time
Calgary cabinet shops typically need 6—10 weeks from order to delivery. We backsolve from your target install date through fabrication, ordering, and drawing release — and tell you when discovery needs to start. Often earlier than builders expect.
Drawings release room-by-room, not all at once
For whole-home builds, we release the kitchen drawings first (longest lead-time materials), then baths, then closets and built-ins. The cabinet shop orders against finished rooms while we're still drafting later rooms.
Hard milestones, real dates
Project schedule confirmed at discovery: site measure dates, render review dates, drawing release dates. We commit to dates in writing. If something slips on our side, you hear before the date — not the day of.
Questions from
Calgary builders.
How is this different from cabinet shops that do their own drawings?
Independence and depth. Cabinet shops draw to their own production preferences — preferred hardware, standard cabinet construction, in-stock materials. We draw what the project actually needs, then bid it to two or three cabinet shops competitively. Builders typically save 10—20% on cabinet shop quotes once drawings are independent — and the drawings themselves are more detailed because we're not rushing through them to start fabrication.
Do you have insurance and certifications?
Standard professional liability and general liability coverage. We're not architects (no AAA seal) — we're millwork specialists. For projects requiring architectural seal on cabinetry drawings, we work alongside an architect who reviews and seals.
What's the minimum project size?
New build packages start at $4,500 — typically a 1,800—3,000 sq ft custom home with kitchen, two baths, mudroom, primary closet, and a few built-ins. Below that scope, look at our residential services for single-room or suite-package design.
How quickly can you start?
Typically two weeks from discovery to project kickoff, depending on current workload. For rush projects we can sometimes accelerate to a week, occasionally same-week — depends on the timing. We're honest about capacity upfront; we don't take work we can't deliver on schedule.
Do you do commercial millwork drawings?
Not currently. Our focus is residential — single-family, multi-family, and renovation. Commercial millwork has different standards (AWI for commercial, accessibility codes, fire ratings) and a different drafting toolkit. We refer commercial work to Calgary firms specialising in it.
Can you white-label your work as part of our brand?
Yes for established builder relationships. Drawings released under your firm's title block, your sheet numbering, your revision conventions. The homeowner sees your name; we work behind the scenes. We discuss the arrangement on the discovery call.
Working on a custom build?
Send the architectural set and your target cabinetry order date. We respond within one business day with a fixed-fee quote and project schedule.