Type of Construction Drawings

Type of Construction Drawings

1 -  Preliminary Drawings .  (design concepts)      

2 - Contract drawings.

3 - Working drawings . (actual construction)    

4 - Shop drawing. (between design and construction)

5 - As-built drawings. (as completed or executed)

1 -  Preliminary Drawings

• Preliminary drawings prepared to the degree that owner can visualize the total project.
• Preliminary drawings complete enough to allow the preparation of a realistic budget estimate.
• Anything that can contribute to a more complete understanding of the client shall be considered.

2  Contract drawings.

• The contract drawings are used as an essential part of the contract.
• Keep a set on the job with all changes and revisions posted.

3  Working drawings .

• Based on the design presented in the preliminary drawings, approved by owner.
• The Working Drawings include all the information needed to obtain a building permits
• The approved design is not changed but it is further developed, defined, and improved.
• Working drawings together with specifications give complete picture of the project.
• Used by several groups of people.  Hence should be prepared to meet the requirement of each group.
• Contain detail dimensioning information that establishes:

             Sizes, Relationships, and Location of all elements of the project.

4  Shop drawing.

A shop drawing is a drawing or set of drawings produced by the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor, or fabricator.

• Shop drawings are reviewed by the design professional.
• Approval of the shop drawings by Design Professional is a restricted approval (check against the intent of design drawings only)

• Shop drawings are actually an extension and further development of working drawings.
• Shop drawings do not change the intent of the working drawings.
• Prepared by subcontractors or material suppliers.  In some cases also by the general contractor.
• Shop drawings are provided for works such as:  Installation and fabrication, structural steel, mill work, metal windows and doors, pipes and pumps and etc.....
• Responsibility of errors and omissions in shop drawings lies with the contractor/subcontractor.
• Timely approval of shop drawings is of prime importance!
• Shop drawings approval may effect project schedule, if not submitted on time.
• Record shop drawings in contractor’s submittal log.
• Shop drawings should be stamped and dated immediately upon receipt.

5  As-built drawings

• Most specifications require that the contractor refrain from ordering material until the shop drawings are approved officially.  (IN WRITING)
• Usually these are “location drawings” to which the owner may refer for maintenance and repairs.
• Working drawings show ”proposed” locations for pipes, valves, man holes, etc....., as built drawings show “actual” locations, of installations.
• Usually general contractor or sub-contractors prepare as-built drawings.
• Requirement for as-builtdrawing, should be included in bidding documents.
• If not included in the contract documents, and if required legally, can be added by issuing a change order.
• The term as-built drawings in unpopular because of some legal difficulties with some design professionals. 

Legal  Requirements :

• Seal of design professional.
• Seal of surveyors for site drawings.
• Seal of AE for general project drawings.
• Seal on various supporting drawings by related design professional e.g..  Landscape architect, mechanical/electrical engineer.

Each drawing sheet must contain a title block with:

• Number of project and sheet
• Date of drawings
• Type of information (plan, section)
• Name of design professional
• Checked by, date checked, etc.....

Source :

Arizona State University