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Precision Residential Plans for Custom Homes, Additions, and Builder Projects
Slate Drafting is a residential design and drafting studio based in Richmond, Virginia, providing permit-ready construction documents for custom homes, major additions, builder projects, and small residential developments.
Led by Matthew Jones, Slate Drafting brings together hands-on residential renovation experience, a Civil Engineering background, real estate knowledge, and years of permit documentation experience. Matt began working on home renovation projects as a teenager and has since renovated, managed, and invested in residential properties throughout Virginia, including live-in renovations and full-house rehabs.
That practical background shapes how we approach every project. We do not simply draw what is given to us. We look for layout issues, construction conflicts, permitting concerns, structural considerations, and decisions that should be resolved before construction begins.
Our work focuses on clarity, coordination, and buildability—producing detailed construction documents that help reduce permit comments, limit field confusion, and give builders, developers, and homeowners a clearer path from concept to construction.
Precision Residential Plans for Custom Homes, Additions, and Builder Projects
Slate Drafting is a residential design and drafting studio based in Richmond, Virginia, providing permit-ready construction documents for custom homes, major additions, builder projects, and small residential developments.
Led by Matthew Jones, Slate Drafting brings together hands-on residential renovation experience, a Civil Engineering background, real estate knowledge, and years of permit documentation experience. Matt began working on home renovation projects as a teenager and has since renovated, managed, and invested in residential properties throughout Virginia, including live-in renovations and full-house rehabs.
That practical background shapes how we approach every project. We do not simply draw what is given to us. We look for layout issues, construction conflicts, permitting concerns, structural considerations, and decisions that should be resolved before construction begins.
Our work focuses on clarity, coordination, and buildability—producing detailed construction documents that help reduce permit comments, limit field confusion, and give builders, developers, and homeowners a clearer path from concept to construction.
A Practical Residential Background
Residential construction is not just the focus of our drafting work—it is the foundation of how we think.
Before Slate Drafting, Matt spent years around houses: renovating them, repairing them, evaluating them, and working through the real-world problems that come up during construction. That experience creates a different kind of drafting process. Plans are not developed only to satisfy permit requirements; they are developed with the builder, the homeowner, the site, and the construction sequence in mind.
This means thinking through how trades coordinate, how framing works, how details affect cost, how reviewers interpret drawings, and how unclear plans can create unnecessary delays or change orders.
The goal is simple: create drawings that are clear enough for permitting and useful enough to build from.
Our Approach
Every project begins by understanding your goals, timeline, and jurisdictional requirements. From there, we develop the drawings through a structured, collaborative process:
Discovery & Scope
We review your project, discuss your workflow, and define a clear scope of work.
Drafting & Coordination
Plans, elevations, and details are developed with regular check-ins to ensure alignment with your design intent and builder preferences.
Final Plans & Permit Set
We deliver a coordinated, permit-ready drawing package prepared for submission and construction.
Residential drafting Specialists
We focus exclusively on residential drafting, allowing us to deliver deeper expertise and a more refined workflow.
Builder-First Documentation
Our custom home plan sets are organized for real-world use—making it easier to coordinate trades, estimate materials, and build efficiently.
Code-Compliant and
Permit-Ready
We work with the current Virginia Residential Code and local requirements to help streamline plan review.
Detail-Driven Work
Clean composition, thoughtful annotation, and a disciplined architectural drafting style result in concise, readable sheets.
Professional, Responsive
Experience
You receive attentive communication, predictable timelines, and a professional process from first contact to final plans.
What Sets Us Apart
Who We Work With
Slate Drafting is built for professional residential teams and serious homeowners:
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Custom Home Builders who need clean, consistent documentation
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Developers preparing multi-lot or phased residential projects
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Homeowners undertaking larger custom homes or substantial additions
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Contractors who want clear, builder-first drawings
We focus on projects that benefit from a high level of technical accuracy and coordination.
TESTIMONIALS
Client Success Stories: Hear What Our Clients Say
We had such a great experience working with Matt. He was amazing to work with from start to finish—always quick to respond, patient with our questions, and willing to help in every way possible. He made the whole process of creating our house plans smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend!
Stephanie J.
New Kent, Virginia
I had no experience with building/renovating and it was overwhelming for a first-timer; however, Matt really made the process smoother. He walked me through each step with valuable guidance and advice. In addition to drafting and architectural plans/drawings, he's also extremely knowledgeable about all things construction. He is prompt, thorough and has fair pricing for the quality of service he provides. Communication was top tier, with quick response times to calls/emails. I highly recommend this company and will be using them again for future builds. Thanks, Matt!
LaTasha J.
Richmond, VA
I rate Slate Drafting 5 stars for excellence. Matthew is great to work with. I constantly let him know that I appreciate that he always answers the phone every time I call. He is very knowledgeable and always courteous. I would recommend Slate Drafting to anyone who needs drafting services. I plan to use Slate Drafting services for my upcoming projects. Choose Slate Drafting and you won't be disappointed.
Keith G.
Richmond, VA
Our Mission
Our mission is to help residential projects move from idea to construction with greater clarity, fewer surprises, and better documentation.
Good drawings do more than secure a permit. They help organize decisions, reduce confusion, support accurate pricing, and give builders the information they need in the field. At Slate Drafting, we approach each project with the goal of identifying potential issues early and resolving them on paper before they become expensive problems during construction.
We bridge the gap between design and construction by combining technical drafting, residential building experience, code awareness, and responsive communication.
Our mission is simple: create plans that make residential projects clearer, more coordinated, and easier to build.
