House Pland Likes & Dislikes

webaia

I'm curious as to what contractors would consider a perfect set of house plans. What do you like to see in a set of plans, and what is unnessecary information? What do architects put in plans that is beneficial, and what do wish that they would include in them that would make your job a lot easier?

Thank you

Kaiser

I don't think I have ever seen a set of plans that didn't need more info.

The thing that chaps my hide is the cut and paste of details without making them job specific.

KentWhitten

I give you credit mr up and coming architect.

at least you are trying. that's step one in the right direction.

then listen to your builders and GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT!

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

Tom F.

It depends on who the end user is. If it is for a custom home I like plans that are not too detailed. It gives me some room to argue if I don't build it the way the customer imagined it. Believe it or not, I cannot always get my subs to build things exactly the way I request. Sometimes you just have to compromise. Its tough to do that for a custom house when the detail is right there on the print.

If its for a resale house or a personal project, then the more detailed the better.

webaia

Giving the builder what "THEY" want is my goal. Incidently, I'm not an architect, nor do I plan to ever become one. I find them pretentious, underskilled and overated. I'm just a lowly drafter. My user name is just a coincidence...

troubleseeker

I can cover it all in just one sentence.... Be required to be responsible for what you draw, or in most cases , do not draw.

Actually, I don't have that much self control, for just one sentence...
Be assessed $10K fine every time "contractor to verify (fill in the blank)
appears on your plans, or contractor to be responsible for all code
compliances.
Go back for refresher course in basic arithmetic. Do not give the
customer a $300K design when they told you they had a $175K
budget. I have on more than one occassion politely told a customer
after their architect insisted that something could be built for an
unrealistic price , that they needed to meet with him/her and express
the desire to have the architect be the GC.

Enough for one rant, before I have to go take a pill for blood pressure.