Do you have any recommendations for an architect or draftsman in your area?  

Is it common for contractors to require architect drawings prior to getting estimates?

LOL, I did wanna be an architect at one time but I obviously quituated, Martin!

We had the same audit & after the building inspector, our commercial architect, fire chief etc finished I had to design, install a fire sprinkler system, complete with 24/7 first responder monitoring . 

-I was educated as an architect, which to this day I have not decided if it will be a help or hindrance to my plans of going into the REI business.

I pay the Architect and the Approval Fees: $20,000 3.

@James Park We got lucky, we have a VA that is an architect, an engineer and one LLB (equivalent to paralegal in US).

The Q1 quality rated construction is defined as follows:Dwellings with this quality rating are usually unique structures that are individually designed by an architect for a specified use.

Right now it's just dirt, and I've done some homework and it's going to cost about 10k to get the drawings from the architect, and about 350k to build, but the revenue model I have figured out should make this a lucrative property.My concerns are, how can I earn money in the meantime while it's just a lot?

@Timothy Smith I think you should start with an Architect.