Q-My husband and I are getting ready to build. We have come to the conclusion that we need the services of an architect. Our contractor, however, has told us that there can be a wide range in quality of residential house plans. Is this really true? If so, how do you spot a high quality set of blueprints?
A-I feel that your contractor’s statement is extremely valid. Residential building plans, just as many things, come in varying degrees of quality and detail. The primary reason is the variety in training that architects receive as they work towards their degree.
Many schools that offer architecture degrees base their scholastic programs on commercial architecture, where most of the jobs are. For the most part, architecture students do not concentrate on residential problems in their schooling.
After graduation, some architects will work for an experienced residential architect and serve an “apprenticeship.” Others may dive in head first and quickly expand their knowledge of residential architecture through the school of hard knocks.
In either case, much of the knowledge and expertise is self-taught. Hands-on construction experience can be a tremendous help for those young architects who are willing to make the investment. There is no substitute for this type of training.
As a builder, I feel that blueprints should be judged on content, not design. Because the blueprints or plans often are the primary medium through which the homeowner’s wishes are transmitted to the builder, they must be accurate and specific. Blueprints without adequate detail tend to create assumptions. (You and I know what happens when you assume something.)
High-quality blueprints often contain an accurate site plan, showing the placement of the building on the real estate. Utility connections and routes are indicated as well as present and finished topography or grading profiles.
Floor plans are generally drawn for each level of living space. These plans are dimensioned accurately and drawn to scale. All windows and doors are indicated as well as the direction in which they open. All interior elevations are drawn, showing cabinet layouts and all fixtures.
Exterior elevations showing all detailing and separate mechanical drawings are generally found on high-quality blueprints. Electrical plans should never be drawn on the main floor plans. They should have their own page. Top-notch plans have adequate cross sections to depict all structural members. These cross sections are extensively labeled so that all structural items and construction materials are spelled out. Nothing is left to question.
High-quality blueprints also have window, door and room finish schedules. These tables clearly indicate what happens in each room. They are extremely important. Written specifications almost always accompany a good set of plans. These specifications cover general conditions of the project and often spell out specific fixtures to be used as a part of the job. High-quality blueprints are the key ingredient to a successful job.
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Have questions about the remodeling process? Write to Tim Carter, c/o The Chicago Tribune, P.O. Box 36352, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236-0352. Questions will be answered only in the column.
You can send for Builder Bulletin No. 127 for a description of how to create your own window, door and room finish schedules and other tips on blueprints. Please send $1.50 and a business-size, stamped, self-addressed envelope to Tim Carter at the above address.
You can obtain a free order form for a wide variety of individual job bid sheets by sending a business-size, SASE to the same address.
