– Blueprint plans are critical for getting construction projects approved and avoiding costly mistakes. However, submitting flawless blueprints the first time is challenging. 

– In this comprehensive post, we provide a detailed checklist to help you submit perfect blueprints every time. Follow our tips to save time, money, and headaches on your next project.

Know the Specific Requirements Thoroughly

– Every municipality, county, and jurisdiction has its own specific requirements for blueprint submissions. Make sure you obtain the official checklist for your particular area. 

– Blueprint requirements may include standard page sizes, paper/material types, necessary drawings, formatting rules, information to include, and much more. 

– Failure to follow the requirements exactly will often result in rejected plans and costly delays. Get it right the first time by knowing the rules inside out.

– Reach out to the specific building department early in the process to obtain their guidelines. Also request clarification about anything unclear. It’s better to ask questions upfront instead of making wrong assumptions. 

– In addition to governmental body requirements, get clear on needs from architectural oversight committees, HOAs, or other entities that must approve plans. 

– Look out for rules on formatting, binding, signatures, necessary drawings, calculations, schedules, or other documentation. Also confirm the proper permit application process and timeline. 

– If using a draftsman, architect or other professional, verify that they are fully aware of and comply with all requirements. Do not assume they inherently know them.

– By thoroughly knowing the specific requirements upfront, you can ensure the plans and submission check every box. Prevent rejections by being up to speed on requirements.

Prepare All Necessary Drawings

– Blueprints require more than just a floor plan of the space. Elevations, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and section drawings are also usually required.

– Make sure to double check that all necessary drawings are included with proper dimensions, notes, symbols, and pertinent details.

– A common reason blueprint submissions get bounced back is because they are missing one or more of the key drawings needed for approval.

– Required drawings may include:

  – Floor plans showing room layouts, wall types, dimensions, doors, windows, etc. Be sure to include every level of the structure.

  – Exterior elevation drawings showing all sides of the structure with materials, windows, doors, heights, finish grades, etc. 

  – Electrical drawings showing locations of outlets, switches, fixtures, circuits, panels, wiring diagrams, etc.

  – Plumbing drawings showing pipe locations, plumbing fixtures, water supply, drainage, vents, etc.

  – HVAC drawings showing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning plan.

  – Section/detail drawings to show construction methods, materials, or detailed views of tricky areas.

  – Site plan showing property lines, easements, setbacks, drainage, landscaping, etc.

– Refer closely to the requirements checklist to ensure no drawings are missing. Being thorough here prevents having plans sent back for revisions. 

Include Accurate Dimensions 

– All drawings included within the blueprints must be accurately measured and dimensioned. Any missing dimensions or wrong measurements will lead to mistakes during permitting and construction.

– Carefully measure all spaces, wall lengths, appliance and fixture distances, room sizes, overhang lengths, material diameters/widths, fixture spacing, and any other critical dimensions. Double and triple check the numbers.

– With today’s architectural drafting software and tools, it is easier than ever to capture very precise measurements and dimensions in blueprints. There is no excuse for eyeballing estimates or rounding – be exact.

– Pay special attention to dimensions of any unique architectural features that require precision, like radius walls, angled surfaces, specialty shapes, etc. Verify tires with the actual conditions on site.

– Always document the original source of dimensions. Include dates and notes if verifying measurements in the field. Never assume existing dimensions are correct.

– An extra set of eyes reviewing dimensions is ideal to catch any errors or omissions. Do not rely solely on software checks. Have a colleague verify by hand.

– Correct, complete, and meticulous dimensions are essential for flawless blueprints. The time spent here pays off exponentially during construction. 

Use Proper Scale

– All blueprint drawings must be represented at the proper scale to accurately convey real-world sizes and proportions.

– Requirements often dictate the specific scales required for each drawing type. For example, 1/4” = 1’ scale for floor plans is very common.  

– Use an architect’s ruler and drafting guidelines to properly set and double check the scale used on every drawing. Do not “eyeball” it.

– With today’s CAD software, it is simple to correctly scale each drawing. But always manually validate that the scale is set and represented accurately. 

– Match scales used between related drawings. For example, elevations of each side should use the same scale as floor plans for that level.

– Include graphical scale bars on every drawing so reviewers can easily validate scale accuracy.

– Improper use of scale is an easily avoidable mistake that will often cause blueprint rejection. Take the time to verify scale throughout the entire plan set.

Provide Complete & Accurate Notes

– Comprehensive notes included on the drawings are required so that anyone reviewing or using the blueprints can fully and accurately understand and interpret them. 

– Include general notes that apply to the entire set of drawings. Add specific notes on each sheet as required to provide additional information.

– Notes should specify materials, dimensions, design specifications, testing/inspection requirements, applicable codes, installation instructions, and more. 

– Use standard shorthand notes for conciseness, but do not assume reviewer familiarity. Err on the side of over-explaining if unsure.  

– Take care to note any unique, nonstandard, or complex aspects of the design that require special explanation.

– Make sure notes contain sufficient detail and instructions to be properly actionable during permitting, construction, and inspection.

– Leverage CAD tools to link notes to their associated drawing geometry. Automated coordination helps prevent errors and omissions.

Use Symbols Correctly

– Standard symbols must be used correctly and consistently throughout the entire set of drawings. Do not improvise your own.

– Floor plans will utilize symbols to convey items like plumbing fixtures, appliances, doors, windows, cabinetry, counters, etc.

– Electrical plans rely heavily on symbols to denote outlets, switches, fixtures, junctions, devices, controls, etc.

– Plumbing drawings use symbols to indicate pipes, valves, vents, drains, risers, fittings, tanks, and more. 

– Become familiar with standard architectural drawing symbol libraries and conventions before starting plans. Adhere to them meticulously throughout. 

– Improper use of symbols can misrepresent design intent and lead to confusion, delays, change orders, and costly mistakes during construction.

Submit Proper Page Sizes and Materials

– Blueprint requirements will specify allowable page sizes and materials to ensure submitted plans have long-term durability and are properly archive-able.

– Submit plans using the required paper size. Large format sheets are usually mandated. For example, common sizes are 24″ x 36″, 36″ x 48″, or 30″ x 42″.

– Use the proper type of durable paper material or film, such as vellum or polyester. Some departments may require plans to be submitted on reproducible mylar film.

– Do not use regular print paper, newsprint, cardboard, or other non-durable sheets that will deteriorate over time.

– Follow all margin rules, binding specifications, page numbering conventions, and standard title blocks for drawings.  

– Wrong paper size or materials are an easy oversight that will immediately disqualify blueprint plans and require resubmission on proper sheets.

Include Critical Schedules, Tables, and Calculations

– In addition to the drawings, blueprint plans must contain necessary supporting data like schedules, tables, equipment specifications, and calculations.

– Room finish schedules show flooring, wall, ceiling, and trim treatments specified for each room/space on the plans.

– Electrical fixture schedules provide counts, types, and specifications for all lighting, devices, and related equipment.  

– Plumbing fixture schedules list all drains, water supply components, piping, and equipment with details.

– Provide structural calculations, equipment sizing data, code compliance tables, and other numerical data as stipulated.

– Omitting required supporting data is a common oversight that will require quick revision and resubmission, causing delays.

Double (and Triple) Check for Consistency

– With potentially hundreds of dimensions, notes, drawings, and other data scattered throughout large blueprint plan sets, inconsistencies can easily creep in.

– Double, triple, and quadruple check that everything in the drawings and notes aligns properly and matches consistently across ALL sheets. 

– Make absolutely sure dimensions, scales, notes, symbols, schedules, and design intent are consistent across every page down to the smallest detail. 

– Door and window sizes and locations must match flawlessly on floor plans, elevations, and all other drawings. 

– One small inconsistency is a red flag for plan reviewers. It suggests potential design flaws and always prompts rejection and re-work.

– Leverage CAD tools to automate coordination between drawings, but do not rely solely on software. Validate consistency manually.

Secure Professional Signature & Seal 

– In most jurisdictions, a licensed professional (architect or engineer) must sign and seal the final submitted blueprint plans.

– This signature and embossing seal verifies that a qualified professional is responsible for the design meeting all codes and government requirements.

– Research the specific license credentials required in your area for the type of plan submission.

– Digitally generated signatures and seals are now common. Ensure they are included as stipulated on every drawing sheet.

– The lack of a proper licensed professional signature and seal is typically immediate grounds for blueprint rejection without further review. 

Conclusion

– Submitting flawless blueprints the first time through proper planning and diligence saves major headaches, delays, and expenses down the road after construction begins.

– Following this comprehensive checklist helps avoid frequent blueprint rejection pitfalls by getting plans right from the start. 

– Know the specific requirements completely. Include accurate drawings and data. Verify consistency. Secure proper professional signatures.

– Invest the time upfront to get blueprint plans done right. Your future self will thank you when approvals go smoothly and construction starts on-time!