The construction process includes a series of interrelated factors for successful implementation therefore, it is important to ensure that a good amount of precision is put into the groundwork.

There are various types of drawings that can be used for building design and construction. These drawings, which you can read more about here, are created by different professionals in the field who are either working individually or collaboratively.

Certain common mistakes made in the process of creating construction drawings could lead to unnecessary delays and waste of resources during the implementation phase. Here are some of these mistakes that should be avoided:

1. Not considering project needs

Construction drawings should be handled with a unique approach for every project. Although the projects may be similar, they have peculiar requirements.

When a designer chooses to recycle drawings from a previous project, because it is relatively easy, some details require a lot more attention since each project is truly unique. While it is okay to make references to work done in the past, it is essential to tackle each project from a fresh perspective based on the brief your client provides.

2. Incomplete drawings or missing components

This is one mistake that kills the project even before it begins. Such a problem comes up when there is little or no supervision for inexperienced designers, or due to a poor quality control system in the design and construction team. It could also be due to an attempt to deliver within an unrealistic timeframe. Errors like this will lead to unnecessary information and change orders when site work commences.

To avoid this, design team leaders should implement a transparent and viable structure for supervision and collaboration with your team members. The feedback process has to be a priority. Ensure that nothing goes beyond your team until due diligence has been carried out. Always compare the brief to the agreed deliverables to spot areas that don’t align. If you have to delegate tasks to a subordinate, there must be supervision.

3. Insufficient or confusing detailing

During the design process, the architect might omit some important construction details or opt for providing notes on what certain aspects of the construction drawing should include without highlighting the relevant details. If the drawing is not updated to match the supporting documents, this will always lead to a lot of confusion in procurement and even on the contractor’s part. To avoid this mistake, there must be a process which includes the review and revision of drawings.

Ensure that there is a system in place to identify discrepancies between the designer’s drawings and the supporting notes. Drawings should be adequately detailed because they serve as a guide to whoever implements its recommendations.

 

construction drawing mistakes to avoid

4. Conflicting information

Schedules and specifications may contain duplicated information or missing information. Note that each document serves as a reference for the other and should be treated accordingly. Be sure to include notes in your drawings that refer to additional details in the specifications. To keep information coherent, we recommend the use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) software. You can find tips for choosing the best BIM software here. With BIM, you can be rest assured that information is consistently carried through all your construction drawing views.

5. Poor coordination or clash detection

In a typical construction design process, several professionals like architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and so on are working on the same project. Each person is contributing from their area of expertise. As a result, it’s easy to have inconsistencies with some of the drawings. For instance, structural drawings may not be consistent with electrical drawings. This will result in clashes.

Thankfully, we now have clash detection systems incorporated in various BIM software. To avoid this, adopt a proper design coordination process that helps your design team consistently review all working drawings and determine if they are well-coordinated. Also, generate regular clash reports to help identify collisions between the various building drawings associated with your project.

common construction drawing mistakes to avoid

6. Unrecognized drawing styles, standards or patterns

This happens when designers use acronyms that are outside established standards or adopt a drawing style based on personal preferences instead of the standard preparation methods and procedures. When this happens, other professionals involved may make erroneous interpretations. Avoid this by ensuring that your drawings adhere to the standard methods of representation. Use symbols, annotations, hatchings etc that are generally understood. If possible, the team should make this decision before the early drawings begin.

7. Neglecting relevant considerations

For every building project, there are essential constraints to consider. These constraints may include the client’s budget, site location, governing laws, climate restrictions and so on. If the designer fails to acknowledge this, he would go on to create drawings that do not bring any improvement to the construction project.

Even if you have great ideas for the building, ensure that these ideas can work within the existing constraints otherwise, it defeats the purpose of a preconstruction phase. A complete construction set is a combination of multiple drawings such as Architectural, Electrical, Mechanical and Structural Drawings. It is important to avoid the above mistakes when working with any of these drawings. Bearing in mind that the success of any design project has a huge dependency on the level of accuracy in these drawings.


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2 Comments

  • Temitope Adelaja
    Posted June 14, 2022 at 11:02 am 0Likes

    I think if All Professionals that are into constructions, especially those that work together as a Team, like the Architects, Structural Engineers, Electrical Engineers etc. should go through this, They should be able to tackle the issues that they always face in constructions, especially when dealing with a big project, even if this cannot solve everything, it will reduce most of the problems.
    This had widened my brain and make me to understand what is needed to be concentrated on when it comes to construction and I think it will also help other Professionals that see this.
    Thank you so much sir.

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