What Software is Used to Draw House Plans?

Professionals use two main types of software to draw house plans: CAD software for construction documents, and floor plan software for full house plan sets and renderings. Floor plan tools like Cedreo are used during the pre-sale phase to present projects quickly and win client approval.

• CAD software is used for detailed technical drawings and construction documentation. Architects and civil engineers use CAD programs like AutoCAD or Revit to produce precise blueprints that include structural details and specifications needed for building permits and contractor coordination. CAD software is powerful but complex. It requires significant training, has a steep learning curve, and is typically used after the design has been approved by the client.

• Floor plan software is used during the pre-sale and conceptual design phase. Home builders, remodelers, and interior designers use floor plan tools to quickly create visual presentations including 2D floor plans, 3D floor plans, and photorealistic interior and exterior renderings, that help potential clients understand and approve a project. Floor plan software is designed for speed and ease of use, with drag-and-drop interfaces that require no prior CAD experience.

Many housing professionals use both types of software: floor plan software first to sell the project, and CAD software later to produce construction documents.

Cedreo is a cloud-based floor plan software designed specifically for home builders, remodelers, and interior designers. It lets professionals draw a complete house plan, generate 2D and 3D floor plans, and produce photorealistic 3D renderings, all in about 2 hours for a typical 3-bedroom house. Cedreo offers the best tools for the pre-sale design phase.