 Building plans are a graphical representation of what

a building will look like after construction. They are

used by builders and contractors to construct
buildings of all kinds. Building plans are also useful
when it comes to estimating how much a project will
cost, and preparing project budgets.
 The creation of a set of building plans starts when an
owner or developer approaches an architect with an
idea for a new building. The architect issues a
proposal for his services based on the type of project
and the owner's description. The cost for building
plans typically ranges from 3-5% of the total cost of
the project. Once the owner signs a contract with the
architect, the design phase begins.
Plans show all people
interested in the
proposed structure
what it will look like
when completed, and
how it will be
constructed.
 the Client and the lending body
 Local council (they must approve the application
before the project can proceed)
 Various supply authorities, for example, water,
sewerage and drainage
 Electrical and gas and cable supply companies
 Builders and sub-contractors wanting to quote on
the project
 Engineers
 Construction workers
 Fire Department
They will:
 show the location of various features on the site
and illustrate details about the building e.g.
construction details for specific trades people
 show the height, position and bulk of the
building so that council can determine
compliance to its codes.
 allow builders and trades people to prepare
written quotations. Remember written
quotations (quotes) or contracts should only
relate to approved building plans. An estimate
should be given prior to council approval.
 illustrate to trades people the structure to be
built.
1. Architectural
 Perspective
 Location Plan/ Vicinity map
 Site Plan or Site Development Plan
 Floor Plan
 Elevation
 Section or Longitudinal
 Detail Drawing
 Schedule of Element (Doors and Windows)
2. Civil/Structural
 Foundation Plan
 Floor Framing Plan
 Slab and Stair Details
 Beam and Column Detail
 Roof Framing Plan
 Roof Truss Details
 Bar schedule
3. Electrical Plan
 Electrical Lighting and Wiring Plan
 Electrical Power and Wiring Plan
 Schedule of Electrical Loads
 General Notes/Specification
4. Plumbing/Sanitary Plan
 Water distribution Plan
 Sanitary Line Plan
 Roof drainage Plan
 Details of Septic Tank
 Isometric Plan
5. Electronics Plan (if necessary)
6. Mechanical Plan (if necessary)
 A house plan is a set of construction or
working drawings (sometimes still called
blueprints) that define all the construction
specifications of a residential house such as
dimensions, materials, layouts, installation
methods and techniques.

Front Page of a House Plan

 Perspective
 Location Plan
 Site Plan
Perspective Drawing - is an
approximate representation, on a
flat surface (such as paper), of an
image as it is seen by the eye. The
two most characteristic features of
perspective are that objects are
smaller as their distance from the
observer increases; and that they
are foreshortened, meaning that an
object's dimensions along the line
of sight are shorter than its
dimensions across the line of sight.
A designer, such as an
architect, can use
perspective to quickly
present an idea. The quick
sketch of the single storey
house has been drawn in
estimated perspective and
took minutes to complete.
However, it provides
enough basic detail to
allow an architect to
explain an initial idea to a
customer/client. The idea
can be discussed and
altered to suit the
customer requirements.
Location plan may be
required if it is a big
development so that the
relative location of the
site in a particular street
is clear. It will show lot
numbers, deposit plan
numbers and a north
point, using various scales
but usually 1:5,000.
is plan showing
the area or
region near or
about a place its
surrounding
district or
neighborhood.
 Site plans are drawn to show the location of
a building on the land that it will be built on.
 It is an overhead view of the construction
site and the building as it sits in reference to
the boundaries of the lot.
 Site plans should outline location of utility
services, retaining walls, setback
requirements, easements, fences, location of
driveways and walkways, and sometimes
even topographical data that specifies the
slope of the terrain.
Key Features
Generally, a site plan should
show:
•All existing and proposed
structures on the allotment
•Easements, rights of way,
driveways, vehicle access
points, location of any
watercourse on the property,
any adjacent roads and streets
•Allotment boundaries
(including dimensions in
metres)
•Approximate north point and
scale
Site plans are usually drawn at
a scale of not less than 1:200.
A site plan allows us to:
 Calculate the area and site
coverage of the proposed
development.
 Calculate the distance from the
boundaries to the development.
 View the contours that may be
imposed on the land in
question.
 View the driveway, stormwater
drainage, paths, easements and
right of carriage
 Identify features that must be
preserved e.g. trees, rocks,
existing structures
A Title Block
 A Title Block is a section of
information on a plan.
 The title block is placed on
every sheet in the
set of drawings usually along the
right side or bottom border of each
sheet.

Title Block Checklist

 Indicate address of project
 Indicate owner’s name, address, and
contact information
 Architects / designers name, address
and contact information
 Architects must dry seal and sign
all plan sheets
Indicate date plans were drawn
 Indicate page number
 Provide area for scale
 Provide area for revision information
 Provide area for plan review approval stamp
Drawing Symbols are used to communicate
and detail the characteristics of an
engineering drawing in a building plan

Drawing legend are Drawings which

comprised of symbols and lines that
represent components or systems.
BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDING MATERIALS