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Owner Builder Blog

Plan Reading for Owner Builders

19/10/2016

21 Comments

 
Plan Reading
 
Why is it important that owner builders can read a set of plans?
 
This is a question that is often asked of me by owner builder course students. 
 
It is a fair question. It is reasonable to assume that as the owner builder, you will simply manage the project. This is in many cases true, but a basic understanding of your project and an ability to 'decode' the information contained on a set of plans will certainly enhance the owner builder experience.
 
Remember, a set of plans is a graphical representation of your requirements and your expectations. They are in effect, the manual of instructions that guide your contractors to turn your dreams into a reality.
 
Plans are a communications tool, a well drawn set of plans accurately conveys the message in a way which is understood and readily interpreted by each contractor or supplier who is required to 'decode' the presented information.
 
The way this is achieved is by using a common language that is understood and easily recognised by those skilled in the building and construction trades. We use symbology, conventions, abbreviations and terminology which are consistent and provide the reader with the tools and information to achieve the project outcomes.
 
Our course provides the owner builder the opportunity to develop these skills. Important skills and knowledge that equip the owner builder in their role as a Principal Contractor to engage effectively in that communications process.
 
To me, there is not a more important knowledge for the owner builder to be able to demonstrate than a thorough understanding of the plans and specifications that are the 'instructions' for completing their project. 
 
In developing this knowledge, we start by identifying the types of drawings you are working with. Are the specifications of the project included in the drawings themselves or are the drawings supported by a detailed specifications document in text form? For complex constructions or construction that moves away from conventional domestic building techniques, it is almost impossible to include enough detail on the drawings alone.
 
In the owner builder course, our NSW and QLD students are introduced to the various symbols, abbreviations and conventions that are used on a typical set of plans. We discuss the appropriate use of scales and how to interpret drawing version numbers and document control.
 
If you were discussing the internal doors on your project with a potential supplier, could you easily describe them individually? Could you use the numbering and naming convention? Could you tell on which side they were hung, which way they swing, the width and height or general construction? On a well detailed set of plans, this information is available and can be readily interpreted by anyone with access to the 'code'.
 
I cannot stress enough the importance of an owner builder being fully aware of the detail included in their plans and specifications and the value in being able to talk the talk with your suppliers and contractors in a way that they easily relate to. 
 
Of course their is also the great benefit of being able to demonstrate your knowledge and stand your ground in the event that there is a dispute in respect to the information taken from the plans.
 
Individual interpretation will always play a part, but by sticking to convention and using a common language through industry standard terminology, you can minimise this issue.
 
In future posts, we will consider in more detail, the typical drawings used in a domestic construction project and their use by the owner builder.
 
Till then ....
 
Happy Building,
 
Rick

21 Comments
Natalie Shaw
8/11/2016 15:09:27

Yes. I do like the challenge of ready plans and finding the information you are after based on the scale, legend boxes etc. I did have difficulties finding the distant of the eaves in Q53 in the Reading and Interupting Plans section. I still can't locate where it indicates a 1.8m eave.

Reply
Peter Noonan
9/11/2016 16:13:46

I feel the info you need is on the Assessment plan 3A Elevation "C"

Reply
rick heaton link
16/11/2016 22:11:29

Hi Natalie,

Sorry it took me so long to respond, this one slipped through to the keeper.
Were you able to sort out the drawings and the required information?

Reply
Peter Noonan
9/11/2016 16:07:31

We have now designed, drawn up and getting ready to submit our 3rd home to an Engineer, then Council, over a 20 year period.
Can i just say that the structure of the course now is long overdue.
I now feel the current plans we submit will be more professional due to this learning.

Thanks Peter

Reply
rick heaton link
29/11/2016 13:16:20

Thanks Peter,
We try to provide our owner builder students with a genuine opportunity to develop the required knowledge and skills.
I am glad you find the course useful and topical/relevant.
Best Regards,
Rick Heaton

Reply
Larry Lindsay
1/12/2016 10:50:04

For an owner builder, I think that the ability to read plans, along with a reasonable knowledge of construction techniques, is extremely important. I gave my initial concept design to an architect to draw up. While architects can come up with very attractive designs, they often don’t have a lot of ideas as to how difficult and unusual features of their design are to be constructed. I have had to engage an engineer to design portal frames for long unsupported spans and talk to a builder regarding appropriate construction techniques. The architect knew the appearance I wanted but wasn’t sure of the best way to build it. Having the ability to read plans, and some knowledge of building materials and construction methods, means I have a good idea of what these people are talking about.

Reply
Neville link
16/1/2017 22:34:07

This course has been so helpful in getting my head around all the fine detail on the plans. My architect was a little confused (I'm being polite), so feeling confident I brought the errors to his attention and queried him on measurements, then informed him of what needed to be changed and what I was happy with.
Couldn't of had the confidence to do that without doing this course.

Reply
Andrew Corrigan
21/2/2017 11:56:21

I found the section of the course for reading plans was good. It made me look for things that I didn't know where there. In saying this the plans in this course where very different to mine. Maybe a standard should be developed for plans in general? It also needs to be said that the plans are only a part of the story. A lot of information in the specifications that should come with them.

Reply
Ben Gill
27/1/2018 18:44:38

The plans provided for the course were a very good example of what should be provided on drawings. The only thing I noticed was that the roof materials were in a note which was different to the drawings that stated that roof tile and colorbond were to be used. This happens in real life, it is up to the interested reader to ask questions. However, as an owner builder with little experience, wrongly noted items can be a cause of additional cost if one is not careful with a subcontractor who can take advantage of your inexperience.
Ben

Reply
Pete McGann
15/4/2019 13:30:51

The plans show 90mm walls. Is this the finished thickness of the wall, or ie; 2 x 10mm gyprock sheets plus 70mm frame timber? Or the size of the frame timber without showing gyprock lining?

Reply
Rick Heaton link
16/4/2019 21:18:18

Hi Peter,

Good question.
Generally it will be the finished size of the wall.
That is, 70 mm frame and 10mm gyprock either side.

Rick

Reply
Pete McGann
23/4/2019 16:35:11

Thanks Rick . I'm an old school carpenter and I intend to check out for my studs. Anything I should be aware of re: council codes?

antonio(anthony)Pangallo
15/11/2019 14:49:51

so important to be able to read and "walk through" plans can cost you a lot if you miss something important ?

Reply
Lorraine Reynolds link
21/3/2020 18:37:31

Reading the comments above has made it very apparent that plans should be studied over diligently . Every little detail checked . I didn't question the wall thickness. I didn't notice the inconsistency re roof materials in the note different to what stated in drawings that roof tiles and colorbond to be used. Lesson learned. And yes such discrepancies or seemingly minor omissions can be the cause of issues with contractors, extra costs and disappointments. Understanding and reading plans is vital. We all have to be on the same page

Reply
Nenad Vicko Kalebic
1/4/2020 13:09:52

Hi Rick,

What is the best way to determine the handing of a door (left v's right)?

Reply
Fiona
11/5/2020 21:55:59

This section of the course was the one I found most enjoyable. I find the details and the accuracy of the plans fascinating and enjoyed envisioning what the sample plans would look like upon completion of the construction. I even looked up the property on google maps to get a better idea of the site.
I feel like I learned the most relevant information from this module.

Reply
stephen pumpa
21/8/2020 13:16:27

Best part of the course.

Reply
Darryl Spinks
25/3/2021 19:23:33

This section of the course helped me to understand the plans given to me by my architect. I now have a better understanding, so I can confidently make changes to the plans when I meet with the architect. This course has also given me a valuable tool, now if the architect says no it has to be this way I can confidently say well have you thought of this??

Reply
Geoff Dick
26/7/2021 16:49:01

Hi Rick This will be my second addition/ refurb undertaken,
your course has equiped me me a huge amount of knowledge and increased my confidence level
Geoff

Reply
Shannon Smith
23/5/2022 14:22:51

I'm the product of two architects in the family, pretty sure I was drawing my first plans as soon as I could hold a pencil. So reading plans is somewhat second nature to me, however I also recall challenging interactions between my father and builders, so I do recognise that communicating and interpretation of plans is a whole other skillset. I hope to master that one day ;)

Reply
Henna
11/8/2022 10:03:42

This was my favourite unit and really feel like I learned new valuable skills towards my future projects. Thank you.

Reply



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    Rick Heaton is a Building and Construction Industry professional with formal tertiary qualifications in management and training.

    With over 30 years assisting Owner Builders, he brings an easy style to providing information and advice to our students.

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