How to Draw Building Plans for Permit: 5 Things to Consider Before You Start

Do you dream of building your own home or adding an addition to your current home? The prospect of taking on a construction project can be very exciting, but there is a lot you need to do before you start.

Before you can begin building, the first thing you need to do is get a building permit. To get a permit, you have to give the city architectural drafting of what you want to build.

If you feel confident enough, you can draw the plans yourself. Keep reading to find out how to draw building plans for permit.

Supplies You Will Need

If you intend to draw your own building plans, you will need patience and a desire to commit the time necessary to do this.

If you want to draw the plans by hand, you will need paper, a pencil, an eraser, a calculator, a ruler, and engineering and architectural scales. The downside here is that you may use a lot of paper to complete your building plan permit drawings.

If you want to use your computer, however, you will need all the supplies mentioned beforehand and a computer, of course. You will also need a scanner and a printer. A secondary monitor is also a good idea so you have more screen space with which to work.

If this seems like a bigger undertaking than you were expecting, call Adams Architectural Associates and they can help with the architectural drafting.

How to Draw Building Plans for Permit

Creating building plans is a multi-step process. To create comprehensive building plan permit drawings, keep these four things in mind.

Beginning Point and Proper Scale

The first thing to do when starting to draw is select a beginning point. If you use the northwest corner of the house, that corner should also be on the northwest corner of your paper.

When you draw, you should use an architect scale to scale your drawing. The standard you should use is 1/4 inch to 1-foot scale.

Building Plan and Property Lines

When you draw your building plan, draw the building plan and the property lines in an overhead view. In the plan, you should note where any balconies or porches may be. You should also make note of any trees, driveways, and patios on your property.

Provide as Much Information as Possible

On your building plan, you should write down your address and specify the cardinal points on the plan. Once you have the outline for your property, you can sketch the additions you wish to make. When you do this, add the width, depth, and height of the addition.

Once your sketch is complete, label everything in the plan. Nothing is too small for you to note. Windows, doors, smoke alarms, closets, counters, appliances, lights, and everything in between should be present in your plan.

Sketch Extra Pages

If you plan to construct a new building, you will need a sketch of the foundation along with our building plan. An addition onto the home will require a side view of said addition that will detail the construction process.

Your Guide for Home Improvement

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