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Construction drawings provide accurately measured and detailed drawings of a resolved design, and its parts, to guide the contractor in its construction. They may be subject to clarification, but should be complete with enough dimensions, details, and notes to enable construction without the need for additional information. They also provide the detailed information required for building permit and, when well prepared, tendering purposes.
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Download: Construction drawing checklist
Construction drawings are one component in a set of tender documents. Comprehensive, consistent and clearly legible construction drawings, coordinated with a well-drafted specification:
- limit the potential for errors from misinterpretation or ambiguity
- minimise duplication of information by prudent cross-referencing
- mitigate claims by contractors for additional costs associated with contradictory information between drawings and the specification
- clearly define the work that is the responsibility of the contractor, and that which will be carried out by others.
A set of architectural construction drawings may include some or all of the following:
- Title sheet
- Site-locality plan
- Demolition plan
- Building set-out plan
- Floor plan
- Roof plan
- Reflected-ceiling plan (lighting and electrical plans)
- Elevations
- Sections
- Construction details (stair details, window and door details, wall type details, construction details)
- Internal elevations and sections
- Joinery details
- Door and window schedules
- Landscape drawings
The construction drawings are supported by the provision of a specification. This may be a separate document. Occasionally it is included in the drawing package. The specification describes the ‘what’ and the ‘how’; drawings describe the 'where' and 'how much' and may include the following:
- Specification standards and quality
- Materials schedule
- Fittings and fixtures schedule
- Lighting schedule
- Door and window hardware schedule
When preparing construction drawings and the documentation package it helps to:
- Avoid repetition drawing to drawing – when items are changed on one, but not changed on others it makes for confusion and potentially additional cost.
- Apply plan dimensions on plans and vertical heights on section and elevation drawings.
- Draw general to specific; notate specific to the general. This will mean notations about junctions will get covered by detail drawings, leaving more general notations on plans, elevations etc.
- Use Relative Levels (RLs) for floor, roof and ceiling heights and basic dimensions for everything else (including ceiling heights at times). Be clear if the RLs are finished or structural levels.
- Cross reference consistently - from larger scale to detail, and back to general.
- Ensure information required for energy rating compliance is included where relevant.
- Ensure information regarding Bushfire Attack Levels is clear and included where relevant.
- Ensure critical dimensions are clearly noted and where only nominal, noted as such.
- Ensure dashed lines are shown beneath bench for fixture, cupboard division.
- Ensure dashed dot are shown for items over the bench height (eg overhead shelves).
- Ensure that the contractor and sub-contractors check dimensions on-site, especially when working on existing buildings and where there is any uncertainty of existing heights, widths or depths.
Title blocks
A well-coordinated set of architectural drawings is united by a clear and concise title block. The title block should identify the project, client, architect and drawing. It should also contain their disclaimer and copyright notes.
Title sheet
The title sheet provides a summary of the documents provided by the architect that comprise the contract set. Often this is used on larger projects where there are a lot of both architectural and consultant drawings.
Site plan
Site plans capture a range of information about a project including its locality, the site context and conditions, the scope of the project and project delivery imperatives such as site access and security.
Information to assist in the preparation of site plans can be sourced through the following techniques and resources:
- Visual examination of the site
- Survey by a licensed surveyor
- Point cloud scan
- Certificate of Title information provided by the client
- Local government bodies
- Government departments
- Tree audits
- Historical site data
- Environmental site impact statements
- Geotechnical investigation reports
Ensure the location and type of existing vegetation and other significant aspects of the natural environment are identified, and include in contract documents instructions for protecting and maintaining elements that could potentially be impacted by nearby construction works. In some cases, subject to the extent of works, landscape may be provided on a separate drawing to allow greater clarity.
These are typically drawn at 1:200 or 1:100.
General Plans
Building plans include building-demolition plan, floor plans, roof plans, reflected-ceiling plans and joinery plans. Plans provide a general indication of the overall construction methodology and, like sections, provide a relationship between floor, wall, ceiling and roof elements. A consistent scale and orientation should be used across floor plans, roof plans and reflected-ceiling plans for ease of cross-reference.
Reflected ceiling plans may include other information and relevant services such as heating panels, television aerials, sound systems, security system, fire control systems
These are typically drawn at 1:100 or 1:50 where more detail is required. When dimensioned, they are typically noted to structural openings and thicknesses. It is important to be clear about this, and noted if otherwise the case.
Detailed fit out plans
Detailed fit out plans may be required where there is extensive joinery or the contract includes loose furniture and fixtures as part of the contract works. These drawings tend to be of a more detailed scale, allowing more information on the drawings than would be typically provided on general floor plans.
Detailed fit-out drawings can assist in more specific location of fixtures (such as bathrooms – toilet roll holders, soap and hand-towel dispensers, hand driers etc) furniture/whitegoods to be supplied as part of contract, joinery codes and finishes.
These are typically drawn at 1:50 or 1:20.
Window and door schedules
Window and door schedules are provided directly to the manufacturer, often with little checking on site or cross referencing to the elevations and sections. It is important the architect co-ordinates and checks this thoroughly. They are also the source of detail for energy ratings and bush fire attack level compliance. It is suggested shop drawings be requested to ensure the sub-contractor and builder have coordinated.
These are typically drawn as 1:50 with additional details provided elsewhere.
Sections
Sections provide a general indication of the overall construction methodology and relationship between floor, wall, ceiling and roof elements. Use of scale consistent with the relevant plans will provide clarity and better understanding of the building.
Typically drawn at Scale 1:100 or 1:50 subject to detail and extent of detail references.
Details
Details include plan details, section details and joinery details. Scales vary according to the extent of information to be applied. The least detailed scale is typically 1:10, but may be changed to 1:2 for fine details such as joinery.
Further resources:
- Government of Western Australia, Department of Finance BMW Documentation Checklist
- Charles Nelson “Checkit”
- For information on the NSW Design and Building Practitioners (DBP) Act and Regulations, please refer to our dedicated Institute page.
Disclaimer
This content is provided by the Australian Institute of Architects for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. It is not legal, financial, insurance, or other advice and you should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in circumstances where loss or damage may result. The Institute endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. Using this website and content is subject to the Acumen User Licence.