Exterior Elevations: In addition to the front exterior, your
drawing set will include drawings of the rear and sides of your house as well.
These drawings give notes on exterior materials and finishes. Particular
attention is given to cornice detail, brick and stone accents, or other finish
items that make your home unique.

Foundation Plan: The foundation page dimensions, concrete
walls, footings, pads, posts, beams, bearing walls, and any stepped foundation
information along with any retaining wall info (schematic only). A typical wall
section for the home is also usually included on this page (if not, it is
elsewhere in your plan set, as space allows). If your plan features a poured
concrete slab rather than a basement or crawlspace, the foundation page shows
footings and details for the slab, and includes plumbing locations.

Floor Plan(s): Exterior and interior wall framing, and
windows/doors are dimensioned. Room sizes are indicated and any beams, posts
and structural bearing points are called out. The floor plans include an
electrical legend, and electrical fittings, lights and outlets are shown. Floor
Plans will also indicate cross–section details (provided on the sections page)
and show any special framing details applicable to the design. Cabinet elevations
are included for kitchen and bathrooms; some designs feature cabinet elevations
for design–related built–ins too.

Building Sections: Building sections show changes in
floor, ceiling, or roof height, and the relationship of one level to another. Our
section pages also show how the stairs are calculated (if there are some!) and
depict roof and foundation members. We try and draw sections to show the most
useful information — choosing locations where there are elements you or your
contractor might need clarification on. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Sections and elevations depict the standard foundation only. 

Roof Plan: Roof framing or truss directions are
shown, slope directions are indicated and structural members are sized and
called out if applicable. The gravity loads used to calculate the rafters,
beams and posts are indicated , and we also show gutters, downspouts, and any
roof venting required for your home.

Notes and Details
Page(s): Your
home comes detailed to meet the requirements of the latest adopted version of
the ‘International Residential Code’, and our notes and details pages outline
all the elements applicable to the design of your home. Compliance with further
standards may need to be incorporated into your plan set, depending on the
requirements of your building department — these are usually done locally.

These items are NOT included:

  • Architectural or Engineering Stamp – handled locally if required
  • Site Plan – handled locally when required
  • Mechanical Drawings (location of heating and air equipment and duct work) – your subcontractors handle this
  • Plumbing Drawings (drawings showing the actual plumbing pipe sizes and locations) – your subcontractors handle this
  • Energy calculations – handled locally when required




The drawing set for your home will include exterior elevations, foundation plan, floor plans, building sections, roof plan, and notes and details pages. The exterior elevations show the front, rear, and sides of the house with notes on materials and finishes. The foundation plan includes dimensions, walls, footings, and structural details. Floor plans show wall framing, room sizes, and electrical layouts. Building sections depict changes in height and structural elements. The roof plan shows framing details and load calculations. Notes and details pages provide information on code compliance. Please note that certain items such as stamps, site plans, mechanical and plumbing drawings, and energy calculations are not included in the set. These may need to be handled locally or by subcontractors.