Who draws this stuff, anyway?

[George Stolz]

The builder I work almost exclusively for draws their own plans, in house, I believe. As a result, they revise their plans fairly regularly. They probably have a dozen models or so, and about six they build regularly.

Recently, they revised their plans again. It was hailed as a sweeping change, so the boss decided it was time to revise the bid. Knowing how many (standard) changes I am asked to complete by the superintendent on site, I requested to look over everything before it went out.

Just as the boss finished take-offs, another revision came from the builder.

Anyway, to the point: I noticed the newest, shiniest set of plans (delivered on CD, pdf form) for the rough I was to begin tommorrow still did not have the changes that I install on a regular basis. I called the guy who has been requiring the changes, and he was suprised that his changes weren't included.

"They still don't have the cans over the kitchen sinks."
"Really? Well, let's sit down on Monday or Tuesday and get a 'Request for Revision' form going for the common-sense stuff."

Over-achiever that I am, I took the plan I had, and sat down to write in the changes we'd made in the field of the last one. (I figured I'd just hand him the list to review, and submit his own form without wasting my work time on the issue.)

I had 27 items on the main floor, 23 items on the second floor standard, and 19 items on the second floor option. [/i]

That was one model. In the interests of making all the plans right, I was originally interested in helping them out. The first plan took me a couple hours (off and on) to review and list. I have very little desire to spend two days poring over their plans for no pay.

What would you do?

[ February 12, 2006, 11:20 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Who draws this stuff, anyway?

What I would do is suggest payment for your time to review and update their plans.
As a benefit to them they are getting an accurate bid before the job begins.

They get a better picture of what is going into the houses they are building which can be provided to prospective buyers of their homes.

They also do not have to deal with a couple dozen change order throughout the job. Less paperwork, less "surprises" equals less money in administrative costs.


If they don't want to bother don't waste your time. Do the changes on the job and charge accordingly. make sure you figure in extra for pita factor.


I don't do tract housing so I don't have to deal with this. Every house is different and there are no electrical plans. It's basically what price level is the house to be sold at and wire accordingly. Example cheap budget = no recessed or closet lights etc. Higher end lots of cans, decora devices, closet lights etc.

[ February 12, 2006, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Who draws this stuff, anyway?

Originally posted by electricmanscott:
What I would do is suggest payment for your time to review and update their plans.
As a benefit to them they are getting an accurate bid before the job begins.

Side work, or for my company?

I'd like to do the take-offs, too. The boss seemed to blaze through the last set. Looking at the hen scratch, I wondered how close he looked.

Hmm...

 

[gndrod]

Re: Who draws this stuff, anyway?

George,

Coordinate the changes with the boss and have the contractor Supp initial and date the markup plan as approved. If that doesn't happen, then the as built is the standing document. This expedites the job and takes the burden off the EC.
Most tract i've worked on had the markups backed up with a change order to the developer. The architect usually subs out the electrical floor and elevation sheets to a design house that generally does not include revision turn-around time to meet the schedule.
rbj, Seattle