How to Read Construction Drawings Without Getting Overwhelmed
A listener recently asked:
“When you first receive a job and drawings, how do you dive into the project? How do you know what to review first? And how do you approach each scope, especially MEPF, without missing anything?”
Great question. Drawing review is one of the most important skills for builders, but it’s also one of the most overwhelming, especially at the start of a project. Here’s how I tackle it.
1. Match Your Review to the Project Phase
- Preconstruction – Do a high-level “page flip” to spot the building’s major elements, flow, big risks, and potential problems.
- Scope buyout/bidding – Dive deeper into each trade’s scope to make sure everything is captured in estimates and contracts.
- Right before NTP (Notice to Proceed) – Do a detailed review: ensure every scope is in the production plan, every submittal is logged, every risk is documented, every testing and inspection item is registered, and all critical startup actions are planned.
- During construction – Focus only on the drawings for the upcoming 6 weeks. Study them in the morning, then walk the site so what you’ve reviewed is fresh and relevant.
2. Specialize for the Phase You’re In
Scott Berg, a great general superintendent I learned from at Hensel Phelps, taught me to become an “expert” in the drawings for the current phase of work:
- In the structural phase → focus on structural drawings.
- As you move into finishes → shift to architectural drawings.
- When MEPF systems are coming → study one-line diagrams, flow diagrams, and system layouts.
This keeps your mental load manageable and ensures your knowledge matches what’s happening on site.
3. Talk to the Trade Partners
Even at my experience level, I’ll ask a trade partner for 5–10 minutes to walk me through the key parts of their scope. Questions are powerful. Use them.
4. Work in Small Bites
Most people only have 20–40 minutes of real focus before their brain starts to wander. Break your review into short, focused sessions. Don’t try to digest the entire set at once—sequence your review in the order the project will be built.
Key Takeaway:
Read your drawings in alignment with your project phase, focus on what’s immediately relevant, and break the work into small, focused sessions. This keeps you from getting overwhelmed and ensures you’re always prepared for the work ahead.
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Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
On we go