Frequently Asked Questions

About PDS

Don’t see your specific question here? Go to our contact page and reach out to us with your question. You probably aren’t the only one with that question and we would be happy to listen to you regarding your project or problem and help find the right solution for you.

  • PDS is a Buffalo, NY-based drafting and design firm with over 35 years in the construction industry. We serve contractors, engineers, architects, developers, and property owners with CAD drafting, 3D rendering, LiDAR scanning, drone services, and more. We are a division of Tulane Construction Group, Inc.

  • We are based in Buffalo, NY and serve all of Western New York. We also travel for projects throughout the region — including Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, New York City, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Erie. If your project is outside these areas, reach out and we’ll work something out.

  • Our clients include general contractors, architects, engineers, developers, facility managers, property owners, manufacturers, and fabricators. If you need something drafted, modeled, scanned, or visualized — we probably work with people like you.

CAD Drafting

  • We draft across a full range of project types:

    • Architectural floor plans, sections, elevations, and details

    • Civil site plans

    • Structural framing plans

    • Shop drawings for contractors, manufacturers, and fabricators

    We work in 2D and 3D using AutoCAD and Civil 3D.

  • Shop drawings are detailed fabrication and installation drawings produced from design documents. They are used by contractors, manufacturers, and fabricators to confirm that what they’re building matches the designer’s intent. We’ve been producing shop drawings since day one — it’s foundational to what we do, and we know how quickly our clients need them turned around.

  • Yes. We can convert existing paper drawings, PDFs, or hand sketches into clean CAD files. If you have existing drawings in any format, send them our way and we’ll take a look.

  • Our primary platforms are AutoCAD and Civil 3D. We also work in SketchUp, Revit (for BIM/3D modeling), and various rendering tools. If your project requires a specific format or file type, let us know.

  • PDS is a drafting and design firm, not a licensed engineering or architecture firm. We produce construction documents and coordinate closely with licensed professionals — and over 35 years we’ve built strong relationships with a network of trusted architects and engineers. If your project requires a stamp, we can involve the right licensed professional directly, keeping everything under one roof.

  • Typically .dwg (AutoCAD), PDF, and any format your project requires. We’ll confirm deliverables at the start of the project.

3D Rendering & Modeling

  • 3D modeling is the process of building a digital representation of a structure or space. 3D rendering takes that model and produces photorealistic images — showing finishes, lighting, furniture, landscaping, and more. Both are powerful tools for design decisions, planning board approvals, and client presentations.

  • Rendering is valuable any time you need to visualize a design before it’s built — for client approvals, financing presentations, zoning and planning board submissions, or marketing purposes. It’s especially useful for projects where stakeholders need to see and feel the space before committing to construction.

  • Yes. If you have floor plans, sketches, or partial drawings, we can work from those to produce a full 3D model and renderings. The more information you can provide, the faster and more accurate the result.

LiDAR 3D Laser Scanning

  • LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to capture millions of precise 3D data points, creating what’s known as a point cloud — an accurate digital replica of an existing building or site. Think of it as a measurable 3D photograph of reality.

  • Traditional field measuring requires a crew with tape measures, cameras, and paper sketches — it’s time-consuming and often misses critical dimensions. LiDAR captures an entire building interior in a fraction of the time, with far greater accuracy, and produces a permanent dataset you can return to repeatedly.

  • Common uses include:

    • As-built documentation for renovations

    • Scan-to-CAD and scan-to-BIM conversion

    • Historic preservation

    • Facility management

    • Insurance claims

    • Quality control in construction and manufacturing

    We serve architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, industrial facilities, healthcare, stadiums, and more.

  • A point cloud is a dense collection of 3D data points captured during a LiDAR scan. Each point has x, y, and z coordinates representing a location in space. Together, they form a highly accurate digital model of the scanned environment that you can navigate, measure, and extract information from.

  • Our terrestrial LiDAR scanner achieves accuracy down to 2mm. For most architectural and construction applications, this far exceeds what traditional field measuring can achieve.

  • Depending on your needs, we can deliver the raw point cloud, 2D floor plans and elevations (scan-to-CAD), 3D BIM models (scan-to-BIM), digital twin representations, or any combination. We’ll confirm deliverables at the quote stage based on your project needs.

  • Yes. Through our affiliate DronePoint, LLC, we offer aerial LiDAR scanning for topographic mapping, large-site documentation, and projects where ground-based scanning isn’t practical. Visit DronePoint.io to learn more.

Drone Services

  • Through our affiliate DronePoint, LLC, we offer aerial LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry and ortho-mosaic mapping, topographic surveys, construction progress monitoring, facade documentation, and roof inspection. Visit DronePoint.io for a full list of services and FAQs.

  • Drone-based LiDAR and photogrammetry can produce survey-grade accuracy for many project types, particularly for large sites, topographic work, and as-built documentation. For legal boundary surveys, a licensed land surveyor is required — but we work alongside surveyors and can provide the data they need.

Pricing & Process

  • Every project is different, so we quote based on your specific scope. Reach out through our contact page, email us at info@caddrafting.com, or call us at 716-447-9698. We typically provide quotes within one business day.

  • The more detail you can share, the faster and more accurate our quote. Helpful info includes the type of project (residential, commercial, industrial), any existing drawings or documents, what deliverables you need, and your timeline. Not sure what you need? Just describe your problem and we’ll help you figure it out.

  • Turnaround depends on the scope and complexity of the project. Shop drawings can often be turned around in days. Larger drafting or modeling packages may take one to several weeks. We’ll give you a timeline at the quote stage and keep you updated throughout. If you have a hard deadline, tell us upfront — we’ll work with you to hit it.

  • Yes. If you have a tight deadline, reach out and let us know. We’ll do our best to accommodate and we’re transparent about what’s realistic.

  • Both. Depending on the project type and scope, we can structure engagements hourly or as fixed-price quotes. We’ll discuss this with you upfront so there are no surprises.

Working with PDS

  • Typically: any existing drawings, documents, or reference materials you have; a description of the scope; and your desired deliverables and timeline. We’ll take it from there.

  • Absolutely. We often function as an extension of an architect’s or engineer’s team — producing drawings and documents under their direction. If you’d like us to coordinate directly with your design professional, we’re happy to do so.

  • Yes, we understand that many projects involve sensitive information. We’re comfortable signing appropriate confidentiality agreements. Reach out to discuss.

  • Thirty-five-plus years of experience, a team that understands the full construction process from concept through closeout, and a genuine commitment to turning work around on your schedule. We’re not a remote offshore shop — we’re a Buffalo-based team with real knowledge of the construction industry and the relationships to back it up.