How to Outsource Rebar Shop Drawings: What to Send and What to Expect

Aug 27

3 min read

Outsourcing rebar shop drawings is one of the fastest ways a structural engineering firm or general contractor can cut drafting costs without sacrificing accuracy. But the quality of what you get back depends almost entirely on what you send in. This guide walks you through exactly what to prepare, what the outsourcing workflow looks like, and what finished deliverables should include.

Why Outsource Rebar Shop Drawings?

In-house detailing teams are expensive to maintain across the full project cycle. Rebar detailing peaks during specific phases and then drops off — which means you are either overstaffed during the slow periods or scrambling during the busy ones. Outsourcing gives you experienced detailers on demand, without the overhead.

The right outsourcing partner brings AutoCAD and Tekla capability, familiarity with ACI 318 requirements, and turnaround times calibrated to project schedules rather than internal capacity constraints.

What Files to Send Before Work Begins

The single most common cause of delays in rebar detailing is incomplete input. Before you send a scope to an outsourcing firm, assemble the following:

Structural drawings (foundation plans, beam and column schedules, slab plans) in PDF or DWG format
Project specifications, including concrete mix design, cover requirements, and applicable codes (ACI 318, ASTM A615/A706)
Architectural drawings for coordination — especially where rebar interfaces with openings, embeds, and mechanical sleeves
Geotechnical report for foundation projects with unusual soil conditions
Existing rebar shop drawings or bar bending schedules if you are revising a prior set
A written scope statement: which elements need detailing, which are excluded, and whether a bar bending schedule (BBS) is required alongside the placement drawings

The more complete your input package, the fewer RFIs the detailing team will need to send back — and the faster your drawings ship.

What the Outsourcing Workflow Looks Like

A typical rebar shop drawing outsourcing engagement runs through five steps:

Scope submission — you send drawings, specs, and a written scope via email or a shared folder
Free evaluation — a qualified detailer reviews your input and confirms scope, software, turnaround time, and pricing
Detailing — the team produces placement drawings and bar bending schedules in AutoCAD or Tekla per your project requirements
First issue for review — you receive a complete drawing set for your structural engineer of record to review and mark up
Revision and final issue — the team incorporates your review comments and delivers the final stamped-ready set

For straightforward residential or commercial foundation packages, the turnaround from scope acceptance to first issue is typically 3 to 5 business days. Complex multi-story or bridge structures take longer — confirm the schedule at the evaluation stage.

What Finished Rebar Shop Drawings Should Include

A complete rebar shop drawing set for a commercial project typically contains:

Rebar placement drawings for all structural elements — footings, grade beams, slabs, columns, shear walls, beams
Bar bending schedules (BBS) listing bar marks, diameters, shapes, lengths, and quantities
General notes page covering cover requirements, lap splice lengths, hook dimensions, and applicable code references
Coordination notes flagging conflicts with MEP sleeves, embeds, and architectural openings
A drawing index and revision history

If the firm you are evaluating cannot show you a sample set structured this way, that is a signal worth taking seriously before you commit to a project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sending only architectural drawings and expecting the detailer to infer structural requirements
Not specifying whether ACI 318-19 or an earlier edition applies
Omitting the bar bending schedule requirement until after drawings are issued
Skipping the free evaluation stage — it is where scope gaps surface before they become expensive
Assuming a low per-sheet price means a complete deliverable — always confirm what is included

Get a Free Evaluation

Shop Drawings Pro provides rebar shop drawings and bar bending schedules for commercial, industrial, bridge, and residential projects using AutoCAD and Tekla. Send us your structural drawings and project scope and we will respond with a tailored quote within 24 hours.