Common mistakes on building drawings
![]() |
Many types of drawing can be used during the design and construction of buildings, often prepared by different disciplines or teams, working separately from one another. There are several common mistakes that can be made when producing or interpreting drawings that can lead to costly delays and avoidable remedial work.
A simple but common mistake is drawings not being complete. This can be a particular problem where designers do not have the necessary experience, supervision, quality systems or time to produce the drawings required. Incomplete drawings can lead to requests for information and change orders when the work starts on site.
Designers may also omit some detailing during the design process, such as window details or roof construction details, intending to complete them later, and will instead provide notes about what that portion of the construction should consist of. This can become a problem If they do not return to update the drawings before construction begins.
Drawings may not be coordinated, in particular if they are prepared by different teams, for example, the information on structural drawings may not be consistent with ductwork drawings. This can result in 'clashes', such as ventilation ducts running through structural beams (a hard clash), or insufficient space for installation works or access for maintenance (a soft clash). To try and void this problem, the design team should regularly review all up-to-date working drawings to ensure that they coordinate accurately.
Building information modelling (BIM) can help prevent clashes. Clash detection software can identify clashes between different disciplines' BIM data and generate clash reports. However, this should not be relied upon as a fail-safe check, and should not be used to justify poor design co-ordination processes. For more information see: Clash avoidance.
There may also be inconsistencies between drawn information and written information, such as schedules or specifications. It is important therefore that information is not duplicated between different types of document, but rather that one refers to the other. For example, a drawing may include notes referring to additional details in specification clauses.
In terms of personal drawing style, designers may have in-house habits that are not understood by other teams or disciplines. This can lead to misinterpretation and mistakes. It is important therefore that drawings adopt standard methods and procedures for preparation, symbols, hatching, annotation and so on. These should be agreed at the outset so that early drawings do not have to be corrected. This is particularly important when drawings are prepared using computer aided design (CAD) or BIM. BIM can involve the federation of information prepared by multiple teams to create a single model. If the information is not created consistently, incompatibilities can emerge that can be costly and time consuming to correct.
In terms of technical details, common mistakes include:
- Incorrect or inconsistent scales being used across drawings.
- Doors opening the wrong way or with insufficient opening space (i.e. opening into other doors, cabinets, windows, etc.).
- Facilities located in impractical places.
- Undersized, impractical or awkward spaces.
- Poorly detailed junctions or abutments between different components or systems.
- Incorrect symbols.
- Inconsistent revision numbers.
- Poor reproduction.
- File exchange or conversion errors.
- Software incompatibilities.
- Un-buildable, or difficult to build elements.
- Missing components.
- Inconsistent information.
- Illegible writing.
- The use of acronyms that are not understood.
- Notes that are not understood.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Common mistakes in construction tenders.
- Common spelling mistakes in the construction industry.
- Defects.
- How to draw a floor plan.
- Manual drafting techniques.
- Perspective.
- Rotring.
- Symbols on architectural drawings.
- Technical drawing.
- Techniques for drawing buildings.
- Types of drawings.
- Working drawing.
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.