The construction process is considered one of the most complex and demanding endeavors that involves a multitude of intricate tasks to be undertaken, diverse stakeholders to look after, and a dynamic competitive environment to thrive. Therefore, it is important to ensure that a good amount of precision is put into the groundwork and planning to ensure a smooth and successful project execution.
There are various types of drawings that can be used for building design and construction which include Architectural drawings, Structural drawings, Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings, Site plans, and As-built drawings. They are usually created by different professionals in the field who are either working individually or collaboratively.
Despite the technological advancements, there is always a chance of certain common mistakes made in the process of creating Construction Drawings that could lead to unnecessary delays in the construction process, wastage of costly resources, and even structural failures during the implementation phase. Here are some of these mistakes that should be avoided:
Incomplete drawings or missing components
This is one of the most common mistakes that create hurdles in the project even before it begins. Such a problem comes up when there is little or no supervision for inexperienced designers, due to a poor-quality control system in the design and construction team, poor communication between the design team and the contractor, or simply an oversight. Whatever the reason, incomplete drawings can lead to delays and cost overruns.
To avoid this, design team leaders should implement a transparent and viable structure for supervision and collaboration with their team members and make sure that the feedback process is a priority. Also ensuring that nothing goes beyond your team until due diligence has been carried out. One thing to keep in mind is to 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 and effective communication among the project stakeholders.
Insufficient or confusing detailing
During the design phase, incomplete or ambiguous construction details in drawings can lead to procurement and construction challenges. Architects may unintentionally omit critical construction details or provide vague notes on specific aspects of the drawings which fails to provide clear and comprehensive instructions. If the drawings are not updated to align with supporting documents, this can result in confusion and delays for both procurement teams and contractors. To avoid this mistake, there must be a process that includes the review and revision of drawings. And, this process should involve thorough scrutiny of the drawings to identify and address any inconsistencies or missing information. Regular reviews throughout the design phase can definitely help to ensure that the drawings accurately reflect the intended design and provide clear instructions for construction.
Not considering project needs
The most crucial step to consider in creating construction drawings is to carefully consider the needs of the project. Because it should be handled with a unique approach for every project. Although the projects may be similar, they have unique requirements. This includes factors such as the type of building being constructed, the materials that will be used, and the main aspect of is budget.
When a designer chooses to recycle drawings from a previous project that he/she has worked on in the past because it is relatively easy and also saves time. However, there are some details that require a lot more attention since each project is truly unique from one another. This makes it necessary to consider each project from a fresh perspective based on the brief your client provides.
Unrecognized drawing styles, standards, or patterns
This usually happens when designers use acronyms or jargon that are outside established standards or adopt a drawing style based on personal preferences instead of the standard preparation methods and procedures which can lead to difficulties in interpreting and implementing the drawings by other professionals who are involved in the overall process. This can be avoided by ensuring that drawings adhere to the standard methods of representation and also using symbols, annotations, hatchings, etc that are generally understood even by professionals from other disciplines.
Neglecting relevant considerations
In the construction process, every project is subject to a set of fundamental constraints that must be essentially considered. These constraints may include factors such as the client’s financial limitations, the project’s location, applicable legal regulations, and environmental considerations. If a designer neglects to thoroughly evaluate these constraints, the resulting designs may fail to provide any meaningful enhancements to the construction project.
While great ideas are essential for any building project, it’s crucial to ensure that these ideas can be seamlessly integrated within the project’s constraints. Overlooking this aspect defeats the very purpose of the preconstruction phase.
A comprehensive construction set includes a collection of integrated drawings, such as architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural drawings. These drawings serve as the blueprint for the entire project.
To avoid this common pitfall and ensure the success of the design project, it’s imperative to adhere to the following guidelines such as thorough review, accuracy and attention to detail, regular updates, and more when working with any of these drawings.
Conflicting information
Construction documents may contain overlapping or conflicting information. Remember, each document complements the others and should be considered as a whole. To avoid misunderstandings, you can include notes in your drawings that refer to additional details in the specifications. For maintaining consistency, clarity, and accuracy, we recommend the use of BIM (Building Information Modeling). You can find tips for choosing the best BIM Modeling Services here. With BIM, you can rest assured that information is consistently carried through all your construction drawing views and coordinated with the project model.
Poor coordination
In the collaborative nature of construction design, various professionals like architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers, contribute their expertise to the same project by working on it. This interdisciplinary approach can lead to inconsistencies between different design elements. For example, structural drawings may not align with electrical drawings, potentially causing clashes during construction and more such conflicts cause costly delays and rework during construction. Thankfully, advancements in BIM technology have introduced BIM Clash Detection Services that effectively eliminate these conflicts and adopt a proper design coordination process that helps the design team and other stakeholders to consistently review all working drawings and determine if they are well-coordinated and Also, also generating regular clash reports to help identify collisions between the various building drawings associated with the project.
Final thoughts
In a nutshell, construction drawings require a comprehensive set of technical documents that visually communicate the design intent and provide detailed instructions for the construction of a building or other structure. These drawings serve as a roadmap for the entire construction process by ensuring that all stakeholders involved in the project have a clear understanding of the design and how it should be executed. By avoiding these common mistakes and paying careful attention to detail, construction drawings can effectively guide the construction process. Ultimately leading to the successful completion of high-quality projects, client satisfaction, and better business outcomes for your organization overall!
