Precision Plans Powered by a Licensed Professional Engineer
Are your drawings working for you - or just looking pretty?
Ever notice how everyone assumes their plans are “standard”? Have you ever had the chance to compare architectural drawings side by side? Most people haven’t. Truth is, most homeowners have only seen one or two sets of plans in their lives. They don’t realize how radically different they can be.
I’m in a unique position as a structural engineer: I see everything. Drawings from every corner of the construction world - custom homes, pole barns, remodels, decks, additions, pergolas, you name it. I’ve seen napkin sketches that somehow made it to permit review, DIY SketchUp exports from a free trial version, and high-end architectural sets that probably took longer to draw than to build. I’ve even seen hand-drafted masterpieces from old-school architects who still refuse to touch a computer.
The purpose of a drawing (hint: it’s not to decorate your permit set)
So what’s the real purpose of a drawing? It might look impressive, but its first job is to inform.
A good set of plans speaks clearly to three audiences:
The homeowner - so they understand exactly what they’re buying.
The plans examiner - so they know what’s being built and can issue the permit without a scavenger hunt. And their inspectors know what to inspect.
The builder and subs - so they can actually build the thing without calling people for clarification.
Three audiences. One good set of drawings.
Some plans try to include everything - paint colors, trim profiles, flooring specs, even the exact handrail style. Others take the opposite approach, providing just enough to get a permit and letting the builder make real-time field calls. Neither is wrong. The trick is matching the level of detail to how the project will actually flow during construction.
If you’re the kind of homeowner who likes to make finish choices mid-project, your drawings should allow that flexibility. If your builder wants every bolt size nailed down before the first board is cut, the plans should reflect that too. Over-detailing can be just as dangerous as under-detailing - it drives up cost, creates confusion, and slows the build to a crawl.
Organization, visualization, and information flow
Let’s talk readability. A drawing set isn’t just about what’s in it - it’s about how it flows.
Does the foundation guy find his dimensions on one sheet, rebar details on another, and critical notes on a third? Are dimensions duplicated in multiple spots, just waiting for someone to use the wrong one? Are the key notes buried in the corner in font size six?
Good plans have clean information flow. The foundation, framing, and inspection details live where the people using them can find them - fast.
And here’s one of my favorite upgrades that changes everything: a few simple 3D isometric views. I review drawings all the time, and sometimes it takes hours to sort out where load-bearing walls need support and how they’re actually loaded. Missing truss details? That’s practically a proverb. A single 3D view can save everyone a ton of time and page flipping.
Each trade should have its own “everything-you-need-on-one-sheet” view - foundation, electrical, framing, roofing, etc. Put the key notes, code references, and beam details on that same page. When information flows in the same direction as construction (from the ground up), the build just goes smoother.
Permitting: How much is too much, or not enough?
Permitting can feel like a moving target. Some jurisdictions want a fully engineered set down to the last joist hanger; others are fine with a few clear, labeled sheets.
The best plans walk that line - enough information to get approved and inspected, not so much that it locks the contractor into a corner. A clean, logical layout helps reviewers find what they need quickly. Confusion costs money, causes delays, and can lead to those dreaded “conditional permits.”
Bottom line: Are your plans helping or hurting?
Ask yourself:
Does your designer or architect give you drawings that help you design, build, permit, and inspect efficiently?
Are they willing to support you during plan review or inspection if questions come up?
And most importantly - are you paying for a drawing that looks impressive, or one that actually helps you get the job done?
At The Residential Engineer, we don’t create art projects. We create precision plans - drawings that help builders build, inspectors approve, and homeowners sleep at night. Thinking about an addition, remodel, or new build? Start with plans that save time, money, and headaches. Schedule a quick consult with The Residential Engineer.