WHAT IS RESIDENTIAL DRAFTING?

Residential drafting is simply creating a blueprint for a house, apartment, condo, townhome, or other structure that isn’t a commercial-use property. The residence must be designed to meet a specific standard of living, such as proper ventilation and indoor plumbing. The drafter must take into consideration that people will eventually live in the structure and that the possibility of environmental damage exists. d

In other words, architectural drafting is what turns someone’s idea into plan that skilled workers can follow to create a building. The drawing, also known as a draft, includes floor plans, measurements, and other important information that contractors use to construct your home.

For the homeowner, it can be long time between deciding on building a new home and moving into the completed home.

Why Drafts Are Necessary

Drafts allow architects to visually communicate their designs with clients and contractors. Drafts serve as a manual for everyone involved in the construction process, from the architects and drafters to the contractors and construction crew. They include key details about the building, its style, its placement on the land, and the materials that should be used to assemble it.

The drafter knows your local building codes and regulations and determines how they will affect the final product. When the drafts are complete, the engineers and architects will review them and decide on any needed changes. The drafter then revises the drawings as needed.

These details ensure that construction is successful:

Site Plans—provide information about the lot where the home will be built. They include property lines, the condition of the site, and any height restrictions that may be in place. They may also include information on nearby buildings, pathways, and utilities.

Foundation Plans—show the location of where the foundation will be laid. They include information about footings, columns, supporting beams, and walls, and precise measurements and materials needed to execute the plan to code and design.

Floor Plans—show the layout of each room and include the location of doors, windows, staircases, and built-in items like closets. Measurements of these items, called elevations, are also included in drafts.

Wiring and Electrical Plans—provide the critical guidelines on where and how the HVAC unit, plumbing, and electrical system should be laid out.

Drafts can also contain information on how the site should be excavated and landscaped, what building codes should be followed, and how much the materials will cost. Because drafts can be digitally shared among those who collaborate on the project, they can also contain important notes from the architect or construction crew. Today updates can be made in real time and tracked throughout the project.