5 Important Questions to Ask Before Creating Design and Construction Drawings

 

Design and Construction Drawings need a great level of precision. To achieve this, you should ensure that you get all the facts right.

Being clear about what information you need to create workable design and construction drawings will make the process easier for you, your client, and the project team. It will also save time and extra cost because everyone knows the expectations.

Here are some important questions you need to answer before you proceed with your project:

1. Where is the site located?

This information gives you the insight to create a site plan. It is highly recommended to visit the site location to get a glimpse of the surroundings and understand the environment. Information such as site topography, access roads, noise and buffer zones, soil nature etc will help you make the necessary provisions in the preliminary design stages of your work.

2. Who will use the space?

Designing for user experience is highly important. Your client may be building for their personal use or it could be a developer who intends to sell, rent or lease the property.

Other than space use, you should also consider how the spaces will be constructed. Detailing adequate construction information and assemblage sequence on the drawings goes a long way in helping both builder and client to understand what is expected of your vision.

In any case, knowing who will use the space will help you create drawings and plans with a functional layout. With this, you can also determine how large or small certain spaces need to be.  This helps you stay in line with your client’s preferences or give advice from a professional standpoint.

 

3. What restrictions are there?

Yes, you want to make a great design however, there are several building planning regulations that govern specific building types. Depending on what your client wants (commercial or residential), it is important that you find out and stick to the regulations and design standards.

Draft your construction drawings in line with the demand so that your client and users do not bear an avoidable brunt. Restrictions and regulations in the area such as landscape or parking requirements, height limits, zoning restrictions, and so on are best known by reaching out to the planning authorities.

Also, remember that the aim is to design a structure that serves its purpose. Knowing the type of building your client wants enables you to stick to the necessities and remove excesses which also leads us to the next point.

4. What is the budget and timeframe?

We grouped these two because they always work together. There are no limitless budgets or infinite timeframes. Knowing your client’s budget allows you to identify materials that are affordable and thereafter, suggest and specify them in the construction drawings accordingly. 

The timeframe your client gives helps you determine the feasibility of your plans and make adjustments where needed. It also helps you determine if it is realistic with the type of project proposed. 

 

5. Are there references?

It is normal for clients to get inspiration from structures they see around. These could also be pictures from friends or online sources. Asking them for these references gives you a closer look into what they want. Of course, as an expert, you know how to preserve the integrity of your drawings. Having an idea of what your clients want to see will only help you satisfy them better.

The construction drawings you provide will serve as a reference for other parties involved in the project. This is why you should get all the information you need. You also want to know the long-term plan your client has for the proposed structure and make the provisions.

These questions do not remove the need for design revisions in the design process where you have to send soft and printed copies of your drawings. But they remove the rate of adjustments made which gives more time to the project.

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