NLCS and zzp: a successful marriage

That working in accordance with the NLCS is not reserved for "the big boys," is evident from the stories of the zzp'ers in this article. They share their experiences, talk about the benefits and important issues such as payback time. 

With a wealth of experience in civil engineering projects, Bas den Boer started his own company in 2017. He wasn't self-employed for long, however, as he recently hired his first employee - due to persistent busyness. "I was getting more and more work and was often 'stuck' on projects. I had to be as flexible as chewing gum, but even that ran out of stretch at some point. The two of us can take on additional projects again." 

Den Boer uses the NLCS as a drawing standard, whose uniformity he sees as its biggest advantage. "Everyone draws the same, whether you are a freelancer or a draftsman at a large firm. Do you get a revision drawing under your nose? Then what you see is clear at a glance. Asphalt side, curb, driveway block; we all use the same symbols, lines and elements. With that, the NLCS provides a lot of clarity."

Investment earns you back

Den Boer notes that more and more clients are including delivery in NLCS format in their specifications. "For that reason alone, I would recommend everyone to work with it. Sooner or later we will all switch over, I expect. Apart from that, it's just a super fine standard. I do see the NLCS and InfraCAD as a twofold unit. After all, you need good software, otherwise you will search your way through the gigantic NLCS world. InfraCAD and InfraCAD CE are very extensive, well supported and Dutch-speaking. Of course, good software costs money, but I can easily earn that back. By drawing much faster, for example, and because I can interpret every other NLCS drawing without problems. Besides: what doesn't cost money? I recently bought a robot plotter, which is extremely expensive. But I do benefit from it every day. Just like the NLCS."

In 2011, Jorrit Wagenaar founded Wagenaar Survey, a surveying firm that performs a variety of work in earthwork, civil engineering and hydraulic engineering. The great thing about being self-employed? The variety. "No two days are the same. Because of the different projects, but also thanks to the technology, instruments, measuring techniques... For several years I have employed someone, on my own it was too busy. I worked almost by default also on weekends and at night, while customers kept calling during the day as well..."

Wagenaar has been working in compliance with the NLCS for years, and he likes it. "My company is small, but that's no reason to let the NLCS pass me by. It's a standard that adds value for everyone in our profession. The big advantage? That someone else invented the wheel and we all build on it. I too used to arrange my drawings in my own way. But if a client then interprets your symbols and lines slightly differently, misunderstandings arise. That is a thing of the past thanks to the NLCS."

Uniform structure

With the uniform structure of the drawing work, Wagenaar not only works more pleasantly, but also faster - very handy in an industry where the pressure is always high. "To shape my drawing work in accordance with the NLCS, I use InfraCAD, particularly complete and clear software, which certainly benefits my work processes." Subscriptions to InfraCAD (and InfraCAD Map and InfraCAD CE) obviously require an annual investment, but Wagenaar doesn't think that's a problem. "You invest not only in convenience, but also in professionalism. And through the time you save, you earn back your investment in no time. Of course, there are agencies that maintain their own sign standard. After all, if your entire business is based on it, you don't just throw it overboard. But I myself could not - and would not - do without it. The NLCS fits my way of working perfectly."

Why did Wilco Reijerkerk become self-employed? Mainly because of the varied nature and the frequent contact with clients. He is mainly active in road construction, but is equally at home in regular construction. The variation in activities also continues to fascinate him to this day (not for nothing is he a surveyor, draughtsman and dimensioner all in one). "As a self-employed person, I keep a lot of balls in the air, more than as an employee of a larger company. So I'm always looking for overview and structure. And that is exactly what the NLCS gives me. Thanks to the NLCS I can give my drawings a lot of clarity and uniformity. It also provides overview the other way around. A drawing I receive in NLCS format comes to life much sooner."

More job satisfaction

When Reijerkerk says NLCS, he actually also means InfraCAD and InfraCAD Map. "Those programs are indispensable for me to work in accordance with the NLCS. Take the symbol library: whatever you need, you find it in an instant. Even items you don't use much, you just grab it. But also the clear layer structure, generating a legend, importing KLIC reports, including metadata... These are all very interesting features. The subscription costs have never hindered me. Of course good software costs money, but also look at what it gives you. In my case that's mostly convenience and peace of mind, I never have to worry about how I present my drawing work. Moreover, I earn back my investment indirectly by saving time. In fact, I wouldn't want to do without the NLCS and InfraCAD. My drawing work is clearer ánd I enjoy my work more."     

NLCS 

The NLCS (Dutch CAD Standard) is a uniform drawing standard for civil engineering. The information in an NLCS drawing is unambiguous, complete and clearly structured. As a result, drawings can be exchanged easily, the chance of errors is smaller and the entire GWW chain can save on costs. The NLCS is a BIM level 1 standard and is managed by the BIM Loket.

About CAD Accent | Arkance Systems

CAD Accent | Arkance Systems is an Autodesk specialist with a strong focus on Construction and Infrastructure. The company helps clients implement BIM, optimize work processes and work methodologies, and standardize CAD environments. CAD Accent is part of Arkance Systems, a European organization of specialists that supports organizations with the digital transformation to BIM and Industry 4.0 with a complete portfolio of hardware, software and services.