What do we mean by construction drawings?
In the Saudi market the term "construction drawings" is used in two senses. The first is the set the design office issues once the design is complete, which the project is tendered and built from (Issued for Construction, IFC). The second is the shop drawings the contractor or its technical office prepares after award to show how each element will be built with the actual materials and dimensions, then submits to the consultant for approval. Pricing differs between the two, so first decide which one you need. The difference is covered in Design drawings vs construction drawings and in Shop drawings vs construction drawings.
Four common pricing methods
- Per sheet: the clearest method for shop drawings and As-Built drawings. Each A1 sheet is priced at a fixed rate by discipline, and the sheet list is agreed in advance.
- Per m2 of built-up area: best for full design (architectural, structural, MEP or interior), because the workload follows the area more closely than the sheet count.
- Lump sum: suitable when the scope is fully defined and stable, such as a shop drawing package for a villa with a known number of floors.
- Percentage of construction cost: used by some offices for design and supervision on large projects. Its drawback is that the fee is unknown until the construction cost is estimated, and it rises with material prices without any increase in engineering work.
Our 2026 price list
The prices below come from our approved price list, in Saudi riyals before 15% VAT, and are the same ones used in the quote calculator. If the quantity multiplied by the rate falls below the minimum order, the minimum applies.
| Service | Price (SAR) | Unit | Minimum order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural shop drawings | 165 | A1 sheet | 1,500 |
| Structural shop drawings with bar bending schedules | 195 | A1 sheet | 1,500 |
| Coordinated MEP shop drawings | 175 | A1 sheet | 1,500 |
| As-Built drawings | 105 | A1 sheet | 1,000 |
| Combined services drawing | 350 | floor | 2,000 |
| Architectural design for a villa or residential building | from 35 | m2 | 15,000 |
| Structural design and calculation report | from 15 | m2 | 8,000 |
| MEP design for all systems | from 15 | m2 | 8,000 |
| Full interior design | 150 | m2 | 12,000 |
Example 1: villa shop drawings priced per sheet
Assume a villa with a ground floor, a first floor and a roof annex, and that the sheet list agreed after reviewing the drawings was 18 architectural, 14 structural and 16 MEP sheets. The calculation:
- Architectural: 18 x 165 = 2,970 SAR.
- Structural: 14 x 195 = 2,730 SAR.
- MEP: 16 x 175 = 2,800 SAR.
- Total before VAT 8,500 SAR, VAT 1,275 SAR, grand total 9,775 SAR.
The sheet counts in this example are assumed for illustration. The actual count is set from the drawings received and the consultant's requirements.
Example 2: full villa design priced per m2
A villa with a built-up area of 450 m2, requiring architectural, structural and MEP design:
- Architectural: 450 x 35 = 15,750 SAR, above the minimum, so it stands.
- Structural: 450 x 15 = 6,750 SAR, below the minimum, so 8,000 SAR applies.
- MEP: 450 x 15 = 6,750 SAR, so the 8,000 SAR minimum applies.
- Total 31,750 SAR before VAT, and 36,512.50 SAR including VAT.
Design cost by area is covered in more detail in Villa design cost in 2026.
How to estimate the sheet count before requesting a quote
The sheet count is the biggest factor in the price of shop drawings. To estimate it, review the design drawings and count:
- One plan per floor per discipline, and one reflected ceiling plan per floor if the project includes finishes.
- Elevations and sections: usually one or two sheets per main elevation.
- Detail sheets: stairs, bathrooms, kitchens, doors and windows, and stone facades.
- For structural: foundations, necks and columns, every roof slab, stairs, and bar bending schedules.
- For MEP: lighting, power, low current, water supply, drainage, HVAC and fire, for each floor.
What raises or lowers the cost?
- Input quality: well-organised DWG files with clear layers are far faster to work from than scanned PDFs that must be redrawn.
- Consultant requirements: some consultants require a specific title block and details at larger scales, which increases the sheet count.
- Coordination between disciplines: projects with congested ceiling voids need a combined services drawing for each floor.
- Review rounds: the number of revisions after consultant comments should be stated in the quote.
- Delivery time: urgent delivery means a larger team working in parallel.
- Bundling services: requesting shop drawings together with a quantity takeoff in one quote saves repeating the drawing study.
What the price usually does not include
Land surveys, soil reports, government authority fees and printing. In the Kingdom we provide technical services remotely, and drawings that need an official stamp are approved through a licensed Saudi engineering office. See Saudi Building Code requirements in drawings.
Our usual payment terms
- Shop drawings and quantity takeoff: 50% in advance with the work order, the balance on delivery.
- Design: 30% in advance, 30% on approval of the concept design, and 40% on delivery of the construction drawings.
How to get an accurate quote
Send the drawings in DWG or PDF, the specifications if available, the name of the project consultant, and the target date. We send the quote within 24 hours of receiving the drawings. For details see Documents needed for an accurate quote, or try the quote calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction drawing sheet cost in Saudi Arabia?
In our 2026 price list, an A1 architectural shop drawing sheet is 165 SAR, structural with bar bending schedules is 195 SAR, and coordinated MEP is 175 SAR, before VAT and with a minimum order of 1,500 SAR.
Is design priced per sheet or per m2?
Full design is usually priced per m2 of built-up area, while shop drawings and As-Built drawings are priced per sheet because the workload depends on the number of details.
Do the prices include stamping and submission to Balady?
No. We provide technical services remotely, drawings that need an official stamp are approved through a licensed Saudi engineering office, and authority fees are not included.
How long does it take to prepare a quote?
We send the quote within 24 hours of receiving the drawings and the scope of work, based on the sheet list or the actual area.
