Construction drawings are an essential part of residential design and construction and together form the information required for tender documents and contract documents for builders. As residential construction drawing packages contain precise information about the scope of a project, they have legal significance and act as an agreement between the developer or owner of the property and the hired contractor. This means that each residential construction drawing must be prepared with care and accuracy in order to depict the correct elements of the design, and the contractor must follow the drawings in order to deliver the project as per the agreed-upon terms.
The Purpose of Residential Construction Drawings
Construction drawings are used to portray information about the design and subsequent build process and they offer a detailed graphic representation of the finished result. In order to avoid confusion as well as the potential for costly mistakes or delays, they should be clear, concise, and easy for contractors to read. Information that doesn't directly pertain to the build should be omitted so that contractors have a clear view of their responsibilities and expectations.
What Is Included in a Residential Construction Drawing?
While drawings will show the layout of the space, there is a lot more information that needs to be included. Material specifications and standards, construction techniques, and more are included to showcase how different components should be assembled and constructed to align with the desired outcome. Detailed dimensions clarify the exact placement and size of the various components which must be followed to eliminate material shortages and waste. Specifications outline how everything will come together and can be extremely detailed depending on the type of project. In most cases, if there is a discrepancy between the specifications and what the drawings portray, the specifications will prevail and should indicate the final word.
What You Can Expect in a Residential Construction Drawing Set
- Elevation Drawings: Scaled views of the home with information regarding roof slope, fenestration, wall height, exterior finishes, and topographical data.
- Floor Plans: Immense detail for each room inside the home with complete dimensions for walls, doors, windows, and staircases, as well as information on materials and finishes.
- Foundation Plan: Critical information regarding the structural support for the home. This includes concrete walls, beams, posts, footings, and load points.
- Roof Framing Plan: Information about the roof structure including trusses and framing details, size and spacing of rafters, and specifications for eaves, venting, and more.
- Section Views: Structural details and materials are portrayed as a "dollhouse" view to show the location of rooms, ceiling heights, and other details regarding architectural integrity.
- Electrical Plans: Location of all electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, smoke and CO detectors, switches, electrical panels, and wiring information.
- Construction and Architectural Details: Sections of the complete design that require further explanation and detail such as the breakdown of wall assemblies, top plates, foundation falls, roof trusses, stairways, and other details.
Residential Construction Drawing by Realcognita
Building Services International employs over 140 architects and surveyors in Texas, Australia, and the Philippines that can act as a supportive extension of your team on your next project. We utilize advanced design software, including 3D modeling software, to capture the full picture of your project and can provide highly detailed construction drawings to help you achieve the space you want. Contact the residential construct drawing experts today to learn more about our services and discover how we can create custom residential construction drawing packages to suit your residential neighborhood design needs.
