Taking on a construction project can be an exciting yet daunting task. As eager as you may be to get started, it’s important to slow down and thoroughly review the blueprint specifications before full steam ahead. 

Blueprints are the master plans that provide a comprehensive guide for building every aspect of the structure. These technical drawings illustrate the exact size, shape, and nitty gritty details needed to bring the design to life. 

Before you solidify those prints and finalize contracts though, be sure to carefully examine the specs from all angles. In a perfect world, architects and engineers already catch inaccuracies in their work, but it never hurts to take one final look yourself. Identifying missing information and flaws early on can prevent major headaches and heartaches when construction is underway.

In this article, we’ll explore the key elements to review in blueprints before giving the official green light. Understanding exactly what to look for empowers you to spot discrepancies and minimize risk. Let’s delve into how to thoroughly review prints so you can feel confident in the plans before final approval.

Why Review Blueprints? 

You may be wondering if reviewing blueprints is really necessary before kicking off construction. Can’t you trust that the design professionals already perfected every detail in the plans? 

While architects and engineers aim for flawless drawings, mistakes and omissions still occur. Even veteran teams overlook things at times. Construction crews rely heavily on prints to build correctly, so inaccuracies can be disastrous.

Catching issues early allows for revisions before ground is broken. Identifying problems once construction begins can mean crippling delays and exorbitant costs. Blueprints reviews are your chance to flag concerns when they are still easy to fix. 

Here are some key benefits of blueprint reviews:

– Pinpoint errors – Details like missing dimensions or wrong materials can lead to defects. Blueprint reviews help spot these early.

– Assess constructability – You can determine if designs are realistic or need tweaks for buildability.

– Check coordination – Make sure plans jive with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC drawings. 

– Meet code – Confirm plans adhere to legally required building standards.

– Increase efficiency – Identify ways to optimize workflow and streamline construction.

– Clarify uncertainty – Clear up any vague design specs that need more refinement. 

Construction is complex enough without throwing in unchecked prints. Investing the time to thoroughly review blueprints allows you to preemptively fix issues, avoiding pitfalls later on. Now let’s explore exactly what to examine in the specs.

Key Blueprint Elements to Review

When analyzing a set of blueprints, there are several critical components to pay close attention to. These elements contain the bulk of the vital information needed to erect structures properly. Be systematic in checking each one. Here are some of the key areas to focus your review efforts on:

Lines and Symbols

It’s easy to gloss over the simple lines and shapes on prints, but these graphic markings communicate invaluable information. Every line style, weight, and symbol has meaning. To accurately interpret blueprints, you must understand the language.

Pay close attention to:

– Line weights – Heavier lines typically denote visible objects versus thinner lines for hidden pieces. 

– Line types – Dashed lines often indicate cuts or missing sections while solid lines represent built elements.

– Symbols – Standard marks signify things like outlets, sinks, vents, etc. Learn what each one means.

– Abbreviations – Letters like ELEV for elevation and SIM for similar are shorthand specs. Know them.

– Notes – Text callouts provide critical explanatory details. Don’t skip over them!

Carefully check that all lines, symbols, and text align with industry standards. Even small symbols being off can change the whole meaning.

Dimensions and Scales

Every measurement matters when constructing a building. Dimensions and scaling provide the spatial relationships and sizing information needed to physically lay out designs. 

Be sure to validate:

– Dimension accuracy – Do all labeled measurements match appropriate scaling of the drawings?

– Dimension completeness – Are all necessary lengths, heights, widths, etc fully defined?

– Scale consistency – Are drawings using the same scale throughout for uniform sizing?

– Unit clarity – Are units like feet, meters, inches, etc always labeled?

Flawed dimensions can skewer layouts, so meticulously check this vital data. Verify it aligns mathematically across all prints.

Notes and Callouts 

While the drawings themselves visualize the designs, explanatory notes provide supplementary information that can’t be conveyed graphically. Notes keep builds code-compliant and construction crews informed. 

Assess notes for:

– Clarity – Are details written clearly and easy to interpret?

– Adequacy – Do notes sufficiently cover requirements without lacking info?

– Consistency – Do specs match drawings or create conflicts?

– Organization – Are notes logically grouped and easy to find?

Notes are often hastily added as an afterthought. Be sure these valuable inclusions are refined appropriately.

Layout and Formatting

The layout and formatting of prints impact the ease of extracting critical information. Well-organized plans allow for smooth review. Disorganized drawings lead to confusion.

Analyze the:

– Drawing orientation – Are all views consistently oriented? North arrows?

– Alignment – Are elements aligned logically without overlaps?

– Grouping – Are related drawings organized together?

– Page numbering – Do page numbers match index numbering?

– Legibility – Are prints easy to read at full scale and when reduced?

Streamlined organization, numbering, and readability optimize the usefulness of the specs. Don’t dismiss how layout factors into quality.

Title Block Information

Title blocks offer vital details like revision numbers, drawing scale, and more. Ensure this crucial data needed for managing and coordinating plans is complete.

Validate inclusion of:

– Sheet title – Clearly summarizes content like “Framing Plan.”

– Project name and address – Identifies the specific job.

– Sheet numbers – Indexes and labels each sheet by type.

– Revision numbers – Allows tracking of updated versions.

– Drawing scale – Denotes scale used to generate drawings.

– Company/designer names – Credits creators. 

– Dates – Shows drafting and revision dates.

Title block information keeps everyone on the same page. Don’t neglect verifying its accuracy.

Specifications and Details

Specifications provide the nitty gritty written requirements to supplement the drawings. Details offer zoomed in views of assemblies.

Critique specs and details for:

– Alignment with drawings – Do details contradict or align with illustrations?

– Level of detail – Are specs and details suitably in depth?

– Clarity – Are technical descriptions clear and unambiguous?

– Completeness – Are any elements missing specs or details?

The devil is in the details! Make sure these supplemental documents deliver sufficient specs in an understandable manner.

Coordination with Other Disciplines  

Construction projects involve architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing drawings, just to name a few. Ensuring every team’s prints complement each other is paramount.

Compare architectural plans with:

– Structural – Do framing designs jive with the structural loads and layouts?

– MEP – Do ductwork, pipes, conduits, panels, etc. fit within architectural spaces? 

– Civil – Do things like site drainage and grading mesh with the design?

– Other plans – Are there any glaring conflicts with landscape, security, IT, etc drawings?

Identifying clashes early prevents sacrosanct arguments later. Don’t isolate review to just architecture’s role.

Submittal Requirements

Submittal requirements outline the process for formally submitting and approving key materials, equipment specifications, construction procedures, shop drawings, and more. Details are often found in the front pages of the blueprints.

Assess if submittal requirements cover:

– Submittal list – Are all required submittals clearly identified?

– Content details – Are submittal content requirements adequately spelled out? 

– Review process – Are submittal review, approval, and rejection procedures defined?

– Due dates – Are submittal deadlines in relation to schedules provided?

Thorough submittal requirements encourage timely, complete, and accurate submissions from contractors. Vet these stipulations closely.

Working With Your Architect/Engineer  

Your architect or engineer should be receptive to addressing any concerns raised during blueprint reviews. Engage them collaboratively to get drawings revised and finalized.

When working with designers, be sure to:

– Communicate objectively – Discuss issues professionally, avoiding accusations.

– Remain flexible – Designers may offer new perspectives; keep an open mind.

– Document thoroughly – Track all concerns raised, changes made, approvals needed.

– Leverage experts – Enlist advisors to validate concerns like code compliance.

– Allow adequate time – Designers need sufficient time to evaluate and address issues raised.

Fostering positive collaboration with your architects and engineers ensures constructive blueprint finalization.

When to Request Changes

Not every hiccup noted in blueprint reviews warrants modifications. Revisions take time and money. Be judicious in requesting changes.

Push for revisions for:

– Safety issues – Anything jeopardizing integrity or code compliance. 

– Functionality flaws – Design elements hindering operations or purpose.

– Cost and schedule impacts – Inefficiencies that significantly inflate budgets or timelines.

– Constructability issues – Designs containing unrealistic or unbuildable elements. 

– Ambiguity – Unclear or confusing specifications that introduce risk.

Minor blemishes that won’t realistically impact the project can be noted without requiring rework. Roll with the punches where possible.

Final Approval Considerations

Once all material issues are resolved, you’re nearly ready to officially approve the prints and get rolling. But before firing the starting pistol, consider a few final factors:

– Verify updates – Confirm all revisions appear in the updated set. Double check changes.

– Complete final reviews – Have key team members take one last comprehensive review.

– Confirm code compliance – If needed, have local officials re-verify up to code. 

– Recheck budgets – Significant changes may alter the overall budget. Re-tally.

– Assess schedule impacts – Make sure the review and revision timeline won’t critically delay start dates.

Only provide final approval once 100% satisfied with the accuracy and quality of the blueprints. They are your construction bible!

Conclusion

Thorough blueprint reviews enable identification of errors and omissions before work begins, circumventing avoidable issues later on. Check prints for completeness, compliance, clarity, coordination, and constructability. Collaborating with designers to fix problems promotes air-tight plans you can confidently build from.  

Invest time upfront to carefully analyze those prints. Meticulous blueprint reviews protect you from the pains of overlooking something early on. Understanding the key elements to scrutinize allows you to optimize designs before final approval. Feel empowered to take control of blueprints. Your careful analysis can mean the difference between a successful build and a construction nightmare!