When it comes to construction projects, using cost per square foot is one of the most commonly used ways to estimate the cost of the work. It’s a simple way to compare costs across different projects or to “ballpark” expenses. However, it’s important to understand where the limitations of this approach are. In this article, […]
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Constructing a home or building is a complicated and expensive undertaking that can be confusing for those who haven’t been involved in construction before. Even for those who have, remembering what it all means can be overwhelming! One particularly important area is understanding the costs associated with construction when creating a budget. These costs can
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Building a house is an exciting and significant investment. It can also be one of the most expensive undertakings that most people will experience in their lifetime! Because of this, it’s essential to approach the process with some caution and ensure that you stay on budget throughout the entire process. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for
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A grading plan is an essential element of a set of construction documents. It’s a drawing that illustrates the topographical layout of a construction site and how the site will be excavated, filled, and graded to prepare it for necessary work to be done. First, an initial site survey will establish the current topography. This
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The term “site” refers to the construction area on a parcel of property, or portion of a parcel of property, where construction and work occur. This work might be anything from paving and landscaping to the construction of a skyscraper. Therefore, a site plan is a 2D orthographic drawing that represents the construction site from
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When you think about mounting heights, it may seem obvious that the dimension would be taken from the floor level. But in construction, there could be several reference points from which a vertical dimension could be taken. That’s why A.F.F. is a commonly used acronym found on construction drawings. AFF is an acronym that stands
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Title blocks are essential for all sheets (aka pages) in a construction drawing set. They tell the viewer information about the project, such as: what the project is and where it’s located, who created the drawings, the date of the drawings, and more. Should a single sheet be separated from the rest of the drawing
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What is poché? Poché is a style of presentation that involves filling the cut components of a plan or section with solid black (or closely spaced diagonal lines) to add depth and dimension to the drawings. This technique became popular during the Middle Ages when buildings were built with thick stone masonry walls, and the
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Wall sections are fundamental drawings in any construction drawing set. They can quickly give the viewer or contractor an overview of the project’s construction, from footing to roof. What is a wall section? A wall section is a drawing that cuts a vertical “slice” through a building’s wall and only extends a short distance into
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Section drawings are a critical part of any construction drawing set. They slice the building up at several scales to show the materials and assemblies being used, spatial relationships, and information that can’t be clearly indicated on the plans or elevations. I’ll break down the several types of section drawings below. What is a section
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