Who owns CAD files?

[flanagaj]

I suspect this is a common question, but who owns the CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

[JohnMo]

It has been asked a few times. The answer depends....

 

I have the structural and architectural cad drawings for my house, they also freely gave to any third parties I needed to get quotes from.

 

But you want them to give to an alternative architect - the likely answer is NO. Believe they would normally hold copyright of the document. Even if they didn't the answer is still likely to no you can't have them.

[IanR]

1 hour ago, flanagaj said:

I suspect this is a common question, but who owns the CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

No harm in requesting, but likely the best you can expect is a vector based PDF.  Some architect's seem to get prickly about handing over their native CAD files, unless you have agreed it prior.

This is defintely one to agree up front.

"CAD" means different things to different people, what are you hoping to do with the file(s), a vector PDF may well be sufficient.

Edited Tuesday at 07:35 by IanR

[flanagaj]

11 minutes ago, IanR said:

No harm in requesting, but likely the best you can expect is a vector based PDF.  Some architect's seem to get prickly about handing over their native CAD files, unless you have agreed it prior.

This is defintely one to agree up front.

"CAD" means different things to different people, what are you hoping to do with the file(s), a vector PDF may well be sufficient.

I said CAD, but I think he actually wants the DWG files

[IanR]

32 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

I said CAD, but I think he actually wants the DWG files

"DWG" is the native format to Autocad, so if the house plans were authored in Autocad the DWG may include templates, macros, metadata etc. that the Architect feels is their intellectural property and may not wish to hand that information over. But, DWG can also be a neutral file format exported from other CAD systems and contain only the Vector image of the house plans that you see when you print them out.

Depending on what "he" intends to do with them, a vector PDF will/can provide the same info as a neutral file DWG.

Edited Tuesday at 08:10 by IanR

[ToughButterCup]

2 hours ago, flanagaj said:

... CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

 

You can request anything. 

I asked for a set of files from our architect that I put into Sketchup : but in pdf format so that I could look at stuff like this....

 

 

and if you ask for a pdf with the layers still accessible - and editable - then you can alter the image really quickly and easily (by hiding and showing layers at will ) . like this

 

 

 

 

[Alan Ambrose]

>>> who owns the CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

 

If the architect was just doing look-and-feel drawings for PP, they they'll want re-drawing anyway for BC and/or construction.

[ETC]

No chance!

[DevilDamo]

The author owns the file(s). The fact you have fallen out with your Architect, I cannot see them sharing any files with you.

[flanagaj]

25 minutes ago, DevilDamo said:

The author owns the file(s). The fact you have fallen out with your Architect, I cannot see them sharing any files with you.

Not fallen out.  Just trying to keep costs down for the technical drawings.

[Nickfromwales]

14 hours ago, flanagaj said:

I suspect this is a common question, but who owns the CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

Then "YES"!??? Have they refused or have you simply not yet asked? 

[MikeSharp01]

13 hours ago, IanR said:

Some architect's seem to get prickly about handing over their native CAD files, unless you have agreed it prior.

Yep we agreed it prior to contract for both the architect and SE. 

[DevilDamo]

26 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

Not fallen out.  Just trying to keep costs down for the technical drawings.

 

On 20/05/2025 at 20:46, flanagaj said:

Since getting planning the architects are ignoring me.  I do have a habit of upsetting people 😂

 

🤔

[SteamyTea]

Ask the architect/designer how much they want for the rights to the design.

Then negotiate.

[ETC]

On 10/06/2025 at 07:18, flanagaj said:

I suspect this is a common question, but who owns the CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

Why do you want the CAD (.dwg/.dxf) files?

[SteamyTea]

20 minutes ago, ETC said:

Why do you want the CAD (.dwg/.dxf) files?

Maybe because they are the paying customer.

 

[ETC]

52 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

Maybe because they are the paying customer.

 

Bollocks of an answer!

[Mr Punter]

I have used an architect for planning and they are happy to supply the DWGs for construction drawings by others.  He made a very comfortable living and is well thought of and successful.

 

Other architects have been known to charge a release fee for drawings where they were used for planning for a site sold on, which I see as a bit cheeky as they have done no extra work.

 

I could understand additional fees if the drawings were used for a project elsewhere, but I think some architects can take the piss.

 

The answer to the OP is the architect, who gives you a licence to use the designs.  They could just give you printed plans, PDFs or DWGs.

Edited 16 hours ago by Mr Punter

[SteamyTea]

Free to Use.txt

1 hour ago, ETC said:

Bollocks of an answer!

Yes

 

I have attacked two file.

One is free to use, anyone can do what they like with it, it is called Free to Use.DWG, but due to the restriction on this site I have had to rename it to Free to Use.txt

The other is called Architect Image.pdf, that is £1000 per user.

 

 

Architect Image.PDF

Edited 15 hours ago by SteamyTea

[DevilDamo]

1 hour ago, Mr Punter said:

The answer to the OP is the architect

And if there is not an Architect?

[Mike]

1 hour ago, DevilDamo said:

And if there is not an Architect?

The the copyright holder will be whoever - the company, or the person if there's no company - that created the drawings.

[DevilDamo]

46 minutes ago, Mike said:

The the copyright holder will be whoever - the company, or the person if there's no company - that created the drawings.

The author then 😄

[SteamyTea]

I am owed £7k already.