Sixty years ago, Butcher Drafting Service began out of a house on Jack Coleman Drive in northwest Huntsville, where Joe and Betty Butcher raised their three children. Tom Austin purchased the business in 1998. At that time, it was a two-person operation. Joe had one small tabletop copier, hand-drew all of his plans, and used a blueprint machine to copy them.

Since then, Tom has transitioned all drafting to computer-aided design while maintaining the standards Joe established. He reorganized the business as an LLC and runs it as the professional office it is today.

“I treat everyone the way I want to be treated,” Tom says. “Some people are just glad we answer the phone. Many clients come to us having never had a house plan drawn, and it can be a confusing and intimidating process.”

Tom and his team guide clients through each step, often helping them navigate what is the largest investment of their lives.

As business increased, Tom expanded the company from two employees to a team of ten. They now have two locations: Huntsville, AL, and Pulaski, TN. Tom took drafting for two years in high school, later earning an associate degree in drafting. Before purchasing Butcher Drafting Service, he worked for a commercial contractor, a drafting company, an architect, and a washing machine manufacturer.

Tom consistently pursues learning and trains others as well. He has taught his sister, daughter, and son-in-law how to draft. Most recently, his daughter Emily trained one of their best architectural designers. Tom is certified by the Veteran’s Administration to sign off on plans, and in 2012 he earned his drafting certification through the American Drafting and Design Association. His daughter and son-in-law have since become certified as well.

Tom has also built specialized departments within the company. Emily oversees new house plans. His son-in-law, Josh, manages renovations, additions, and all as-built drawings. Jimmy works primarily on commercial projects under the guidance of an architect or engineer.

Tom Austin guides clients through the design process at Butcher Drafting Service, LLC.

Butcher Drafting Service, LLC primarily works with individual clients but also serves home builders, tract builders, architects, engineers, and developers. The firm produces 3D drawings, sells stock plans, and designs duplexes, pool houses, detached garages, and other residential structures.

“We pretty much do anything architectural,” Tom says. Beyond residential work, the team has also created shop drawings for cabinets, steel balconies, industrial platforms, patent-support documentation, and even utility trailers.

The team helps homeowners bring their ideas to life through custom house plans and assists both homeowners and builders in resolving issues with local inspection departments. They also support architects and realtors by producing accurate as-built drawings and calculating square footage for suites and buildings.

The company’s core values include respect for each client and their vision, professionalism in every interaction, and a commitment to continuous learning. These values guide their work and help them build long-lasting relationships.

The mission of Butcher Drafting Service, LLC is to provide high-quality drafting services tailored to each client’s needs, while offering expert guidance informed by years of experience. The team strives to ensure every client is satisfied with the final product, enhancing each project with thoughtful insight and attention to detail.

Their vision is to be a trusted partner in the drafting industry, recognized for excellence, reliability, and innovation.

Many clients come to Butcher Drafting Service, LLC after unsatisfactory experiences elsewhere—whether with another drafting company, attempting to draw their own plans, or relying on builder-provided designs that fell short of expectations. Choosing Butcher Drafting Service, LLC offers a reliable, professional alternative. The team understands local building codes and inspection requirements and draws on years of experience to offer informed suggestions throughout the design process.

Tom notes that some client meetings can become tense, particularly when couples disagree on design decisions. He relies on his patience and experience to guide those conversations, often helping clients find common ground. In some cases, he encourages them to step back, go home, and talk things through before moving forward.

Joe Butcher once told Tom, “If you do things right, you will never get caught up.” After 28 years, that still proves to be true.

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