10 Reviewing Architectural
Plans

Reviewing architectural plans can be daunting if you do not know what the symbols mean or know what to look for. Each plan should have a legend explaining each symbol. You’ll find a list of the basic symbols on page 359.

Although it is the intent of every architect to listen to the needs, wants, and desires of his or her client, it is not uncommon that a need, want, or desire that you have communicated to the architect is not shown on the plans. Why? It could be as simple as the architect having been distracted before putting your request on the plans. Or the architect could have communicated the request to the staff and it was overlooked. It is not a perfect world. It’s up to you to check and recheck your plans.

Step 1. Request two sets of floor plans, electrical plans, elevation plans, HVAC plans, and plumbing plans from your architect. Use one plan to mark on and keep one plan as a clean copy.

Step 2. Answer the questions on the Floor Plan Review Checklist (page 267), Electrical Plan Review Checklist (page 270), Elevation Plan Review Checklist (page 273), HVAC Plan Review Checklist (page 276), and the Plumbing Plan Review Checklist (page 277). Items for which you checked “no” are issues you need to discuss with your architect. Use the Blank Comment Form (page 18) to write down your comments.

Step 3. Once you have reviewed the plans, set up a meeting with your architect. Take your set of marked-up plans, the checklists, your comment sheets, and your architect meeting note forms. Agree on a date that your architect will have revisions ready based on changes made from the discussions.

Step 4. When you receive the revisions, keep repeating Steps 1, 2, and 3 until you are satisfied with the plans. Go through your checklist, and write the letter R next to the check box to indicate those items that have been resolved.

Later in the design process, the architect will provide the elevation plans, which are plans that show the walls, including doorways, cabinets, bookcases, windows, and so on as if you are facing them. Use Steps 1, 2, and 3 when reviewing the elevation plans.

ELECTRICAL PLANS: DO AN
IMAGINARY WALK-THROUGH

When reviewing your electrical plans, imagine the following scenarios. As you visualize these scenes, ask yourself these questions: Are the light switches in the most efficient and convenient location? Are the correct ones ganged together? Are lamps connected to light switches? Note any problems and suggestions for improvements on the Blank Comment Form.

Tip: Make sure the doorbell ringer
is not located on a wall that is the focal
point of that room, and that it will not
interfere with art or mirrors being hung
on a wall. Consider the location in
relationship to hearing it from your
bathroom, kitchen, or other room where
you will spend a great deal of time.

Scenario 1. You have pulled into your garage at night and your house is dark. You get out of your car and enter your home from the garage. Imagine reaching for the light switches as you move through your home. Are the light switches shown on the plans in a convenient and logical place?

Scenario 2. You enter your home through your front door at night and your house is dark. Imagine walking in the door reaching for a light switch. As you proceed through your home, imagine reaching for the light switch in other rooms. Are the light switches shown on the electrical plan in convenient and logical places?

Scenario 3. You have been visiting your neighbor and it’s dark as you enter your home through the back door. Repeat the previous scenario, starting from the back door. Are light switches in convenient and logical places?

Scenario 4. You are up before the sun and going from your bedroom to the kitchen. As you turn on lights on the way to the kitchen, are the light switches in convenient and logical places? Do you have to turn on a lamp and wish it was connected to a light switch?

Scenario 5. It is morning and you like to have certain lights, chandeliers, sconces, or lamps illuminated all day long. Imagine the path you take to turn on all of these. If you had three-way, four-way, or five-way switches and lamps connected to light switches, would it be easier?

Scenario 6. You are in your kitchen and headed to your bedroom to retire for the evening. Imagine the path you take to turn out all the lights that are usually turned on inside and outside your home. Is there an easier way so you don’t have to take so many steps?

Tip: It is imperative that you keep a
list of each change you request on
any plans so that you can check the
request against the revised plans.

File in
Binder 4: Design

Floor Plan Review Checklist

Homeowner _________________________________________________________ Date ________________________________

Look carefully at your floor plan and answer the questions below. Skip any question that does not apply to your home. For any questions that you answer “no,” use a copy of the Blank Comment Form (page 18) to record your remarks to discuss with your architect.

YES NO

Basic Information

Are all rooms requested shown? (Compare the list of rooms you submitted to your architect with the rooms shown.)

Are the rooms shown on the correct level?

Are the dimensions of each room correct?

Are the closets shown on the correct level? (Compare the list of closets you submitted to your architect with the closets shown.)

Are all closets requested shown?

Are the dimensions of each closet what you requested?

Are the dimensions for all showers what you requested?

Is the width of hallways what you requested?

If you have a pair of windows in any room, is there room on each side to hang curtains?

Appliances

Is every appliance you requested in the correct location?

If you requested two dishwashers or two microwaves, are both shown?

Do you approve of the location of your refrigerator?

Will you be able to open the refrigerator doors 180 degrees to remove shelves and drawers, or is there a wall in the way that will prevent the door from opening wide?

Attic Access

Does the floor plan show access to the attic in the location(s) requested?

Is the opening to the attic wide enough for your needs?

Bar

Is the shape of the bar what you requested?

Bathroom

Is there a convenient place in the bathroom or closet to place a trash can, scale, and/or laundry basket?

Bedroom

Is the width of the stairway what you requested?

If you wanted two staircases, are both shown?

Will the size and number of beds you plan to use fit on the bedroom wall?

Do the locations of the windows on the headboard wall work with the locations of the headboard and the bedside tables? (See Bedroom Window Placement Pitfall, and Headboard Overlapping Windows Pitfall, page 101.)

YES NO

Bedroom

Imagine lying in bed with your partner; if one of you prefers to sleep on the side of the bed closest to the bathroom, are you satisfied with the side of the bed that is closest to the bathroom?

If someone in bed in any of the bedrooms is prone to middle-of-the-night visits to the bathroom, will it be easy to go from the bed to the bathroom in the dark?

If one partner uses the bathroom during the night and turns on the light, will the person still in bed be clear from having the bathroom light shine directly in his or her face?

Paying attention to the path of a vehicle on your driveway, are all bedrooms safe from noise and headlights?

Will any of the bedrooms be affected by street traffic noise?

Are all staircases located away from headboard walls, preventing someone sleeping from being disturbed by footsteps?

Are all beds far enough away from the bathroom shower or toilet so when in use a person still in bed is not disturbed?

Are all bedrooms safe from the noise of a laundry room?

Are all bedrooms safe from the noise of the media room, playroom, or televisions in any other room?

As you compare one level of your home to another level, are you in agreement with the rooms that are located above and below each other?

Built-ins

Are all built-ins you requested (cabinets, entertainment center, islands, desks, and so on) shown?

Do you like the sizes and shapes of all islands (kitchen, laundry, closet)?

Door

Is the proper type door shown on the plans; single, double, pocket, sliding, barn door, swinging door, and so on?

Are all door sizes correct?

Is the direction of all door swings and the side the doors are hinged correct? (Pay close attention to what is on both sides of the door.)

Will all doors located in the same area clear each other when opened at the same time?

Will all doors clear furniture when opened?

Do the floor plans indicate all exterior doors that you requested?

Is the size and type of all exterior doors correct?

Driveway and Porte Cochere

Does the distance you have to walk to unload groceries work for you?

Is there adequate parking for occupant and visitor vehicles?

Is the porte cochere requested shown?

Does the logistics of the driveway and porte cochere work if you have several visitors with cars?

Fireplaces

Are all fireplaces requested shown?

Is the hearth size and shape correct?

YES NO

Furniture

Are wall measurements the correct dimensions for furniture to fit?

Are the dumbwaiter, elevator, and laundry chute shown and correctly located?

Are all balconies requested shown on the plans?

Are the window sizes and locations correct?

Are the specifications for the windows you selected correct?

Will persons sitting at the breakfast table or counter be clear of morning sunlight shining directly in their face?

Will all furniture be clear of direct sunlight fading fabric or bleaching wood on furniture?

Will all televisions, bathroom toiletries on a tray, food in the pantry, bottles in a bar, and so on be clear of direct sunlight through a window or skylight?

Are you happy with the view in and out of each window?

Garage

Is the garage the correct size?

Will the garage hold all vehicles and equipment you want to store in your garage?

Are closets, counters, and shelves requested shown?

Sight Lines

Are all sight lines you see standing in each doorway or sitting in a room looking out windows or through doorways acceptable?

Are you satisfied if you look down a hallway or through a doorway and see a partial door or partial window instead of the entire door or window?

Does the swing of the door and the location of the powder room toilet prevent you from seeing the toilet if the door is left open?

Is the line of sight a visitor sees when first entering your home clear of a powder room door left open and a visible toilet?

Are all toilets out of the line of sight if curtains are open, lights are turned on in any bathroom, and a visitor looks through the window?

If you look down a hallway, is what you see at each end acceptable? (Avoid seeing a partial door or window at either end.)

If you look through a doorway into the kitchen, are you satisfied with the part of the kitchen that you will see first?

Will any framing members interfere with centering the fold-down stairs in the hallway?

File in
Binder 4: Design

Electrical Plan Review Checklist

Homeowner _________________________________________________________ Date ________________________________

Look carefully at your electrical plan and answer the questions below. Skip any question that does not apply to your home.

For any questions that you answer “no,” use a copy of the Blank Comment Form (page 18) to record your remarks to discuss with your architect.

YES NO

Outlets

Are all outlets requested shown in the proper location?

Are all floor outlets requested shown in the proper location?

If you want the floor outlet connected to a light switch, is that shown? (If you have one, involve your interior designer in floor outlet placement.)

Is there an outlet or power source shown for jetted tubs, steam showers, heated towel bars, exhaust fans, ceiling light heaters, and motorized window treatments?

Are outlets connected to light switches shown correctly?

Are four-receptacle outlets you requested shown in the correct locations?

Is the placement of outlets, light switches, and telephone jacks around headboards, correct? (See Headboard Wall, page 100.)

Is the outlet easily accessible to plug in your laptop while sitting in bed? (It is best to have an outlet below the top of the bedside table and between the headboard and bedside table so you can plug in a laptop computer to use while in bed without moving the bedside table to reach the outlet. (See Headboard Wall, page 100.)

Are the outlets shown in the correct location for illuminating houseplants?

Light Switches

Are all light switches in the correct location? (Note all door swings and make sure no switches are located behind a door.)

Are the three-way, four-way, and five-way light switches you requested shown in the correct location?

Are the correct light switches ganged together?

Are the ganged light switches in the correct order?

Are the dimmers on the light switches you requested noted?

Are the illuminated light switches you requested noted?

Light Fixtures

Are the chandeliers you requested shown in the correct locations? (See Chandelier Placement Pitfall, page 105.)

Are the sconce locations you requested shown in the correct locations?

Are the lighted toe kicks you requested shown in the correct locations?

Appliances

Are outlets shown in the correct locations for all appliances?

Cabinet Lighting

Are lights under all of the upper cabinets you requested shown correctly?

Are lights above all of the upper cabinets you request shown correctly?

Are lights you requested inside any cabinets shown correctly?

YES NO

Ceiling Fan

Are all ceiling fans shown?

Are the ceiling fans with lights attached noted?

Are the correct manufacturers, models, and colors of ceiling fans specified?

Computer Wiring Connectors

Are all locations for computer wiring connectors correctly shown?

Doorbell

Are the doorbell ring button(s) shown correctly?

Are the doorbell ringer box(es) shown correctly?

Dumbwaiter and Elevator

Is there a notation for electric power for the dumbwaiter?

Is there a notation for electric power for the elevator?

Interior Jamb Switches, Motion Switches

Are the jamb switches you requested on the correct doors?

Are the motion detector switches on lights shown correctly?

Office Equipment

Are the outlets for your office equipment (printers, fax machines, hard drives, computer monitors, routers, etc.) shown correctly?

Stereo Equipment

Are the outlets for stereo equipment shown in the correct locations?

If using a surge protector strip for your stereo equipment, is that noted?

Telephone

Are telephone jacks requested shown correctly?

Are outlets shown next to the telephone jacks that will have a cordless telephone base?

Television

Are outlets and cable or dish wiring for all televisions shown correctly? (Don’t forget under-cabinet flip-down televisions and any televisions that will be in pop-up furniture at the foot of a bed or other locations. There should be an outlet next to all cable or dish connectors.)

Attic

Are outlets you requested shown correctly?

Are the lighting fixtures you requested shown correctly?

Is there adequate lighting in the attic?

YES NO

Bathroom

Are outlets requested in medicine cabinets shown?

Are outlets requested for hair dryers in drawers shown?

Is there a notation for either electric wiring or an outlet for a wall-mounted lighted magnifying mirror?

Is there a notation for electric wiring for a heated towel bar?

Is there a notation for electric wiring for a towel-warming drawer?

Is there a notation for electric wiring for a jetted tub?

Is there a notation for electric wiring for a ceiling light heater?

Exterior

Are all exterior lighting fixtures requested shown?

Are the ones designated for natural gas specified?

Are the motion sensors, dusk-to-dawn sensors, or timers you requested shown?

Are exterior outlets requested for Christmas decorations shown correctly?

Are exterior outlets connected to an interior light switch, such as those used for Christmas decorations, shown correctly?

Is any exterior lighting requested to illuminate your home or shrubs shown? (This may be on a landscape plan.)

Is your flat-screen television or ceiling fan shown in your covered patio area?

Is the cable or dish connector shown?

Is the telephone jack you requested on your covered porch or patio shown?

Is the location of the fuse box(es) acceptable?

Is the location of the electric meter for the meter reader acceptable?

Garage

Are all outlets requested for charging equipment shown correctly?

Are the outlets used for battery tenders shown correctly?

Are the outlets used for hand tools shown correctly?

Is the outlet for the garage door motor noted?

Is the lighting shown for the interior garage acceptable?

Are the light switch locations shown correctly?

Are the correct light fixtures shown?

Is the location of the light switches acceptable?

Interior Christmas

Are outlets requested for Christmas lighting (tree, mantel, exposed beams, candles in windows, staircase railing) shown correctly?

File in
Binder 4: Design

Elevation Plan Review Checklist

Homeowner _________________________________________________________ Date ________________________________

Look carefully at your elevation plan and answer the questions below. Skip any question that does not apply to your home.

For any questions that you answer “no,” use a copy of the Blank Comment Form (page 18) to record your remarks to discuss with your architect.

YES NO

Appliances

Are all appliances requested shown?

Are the appliances shown in the correct location?

Are the correct manufacturers, model numbers, colors, and so on specified?

Are the sizes shown correct?

Bathrooms

Are the vanities in the bathrooms the right dimensions, including height?

Is the configuration of the vanities correct? (the number of drawers, cabinets, kneeholes)

Are the fixed mirror sizes and locations correct?

Is the border around the mirror shown?

Is the tub deck shown correctly?

Built-ins

Are all built-ins requested shown?

Are the dimensions and configuration of the built-ins correct?

Is the distance between the counter and upper cabinets correct?

If you want upper cabinets to go to the ceiling, is this shown correctly?

Are the correct number of shelves noted in the correct locations?

Are adjustable shelves noted?

Is the custom-made medicine cabinet noted?

Is the built-in ironing board noted?

Is the built-in ironing board installed for both a right-handed and left-handed person?

Is the height of all toe kicks correct?

Doors

Do the elevations show the correct door shapes (rectangular, arched, cathedral, other)?

Are the heights and widths of the doors shown correctly?

Are specific headers shown if requested?

Is the door trim the correct design and width?

Is the direction of all door swings correct?

Is the header shown above the door correct?

Electrical

Are outlets shown in the correct location: walls or baseboard?

Are the outlets on the wall above the vanities shown in the correct locations?

Are light switch plates shown in the correct locations?

YES NO

Electrical

Are the security touch pads shown in the correct locations?

Are the integrated home automation monitors shown in the correct locations?

Are telephone jacks shown in the correct locations?

Are computer wiring connectors shown in the correct locations?

Are the doorbell boxes shown in the correct locations?

Are the television cables or dish connections shown in the correct locations?

Are the individual speaker volume controls shown in the correct rooms and in the correct locations?

Fireplaces

Are all fireplaces you requested shown?

Are the fireplaces the correct size?

Are the hearths on the correct fireplaces and are they the correct sizes?

Are the mantels shown on the correct fireplaces and the correct heights?

Is the gas key shown in the correct location?

Garage

Are windows you requested shown correctly?

Are counters and cabinets you requested shown correctly?

Is the number of vehicles you requested shown correctly?

Is there room for the non-automobile vehicles you requested?

Kitchen Cabinets

Is the configuration of upper and lower cabinets correct?

Is the height of the counter correct?

Is the distance between the counter and the bottom of the upper cabinet correct?

Is the island configuration correct?

Is the height and size of the island correct?

Plumbing

Is the pot filler faucet you requested shown?

Is the pot filler faucet mounted on the wall high enough to swing over your pot?

If applicable, is the faucet to the free-standing tub correctly placed and noted?

Staircases

Are the widths of the staircases correct?

Are the heights of the risers correct?

Are the railings and spindles correct?

YES NO

Walls

Are the wall dimensions correct where existing furniture will be placed?

Are the wall dimensions correct where art, portraits, or decorative mirror will hang?

Is the crown molding correct?

Is the height of the baseboard correct?

Windows

Will you be able to reach all windows for cleaning with just a ladder?

Are the dimensions of the windows correct?

Are the shapes of the windows correct?

Is the trim on the windows noted correctly?

Miscellaneous

Is the dumbwaiter shown?

Is the elevator shown?

File in
Binder 4: Design

HVAC Plan Review Checklist

Homeowner _________________________________________________________ Date ________________________________

Look carefully at your HVAC plan and consider the locations of HVAC vents, thermostats, the air compressor, and return air vents. Skip any question that does not apply to your home. For any questions that you answer “no,” use a copy of the Blank Comment form (page 18) to record your remarks to discuss with your architect.

YES NO

Vents

Identify the location of the HVAC vent in each room. Are the vents aesthetically placed?

Are the vents shown in the wall, floor, baseboard, ceiling, or a mixture, as you requested? (Whether vents are in the ceiling or upper wall or in the floor, in the baseboard, or in the lower wall is determined by the location of the HVAC system.)

Are the vents centered on a wall, window, door, or other area?

Are the vents positioned so they will not interfere with curtains, furniture, art, or rugs?

Will the air blow directly on people when seated or in bed?

Will the location of the return air vent be an eyesore?

Thermostats

Are these aesthetically placed?

Will direct sunlight shine on the thermostat?

Are they located on a wall that would interfere with art, furniture, or a mirror?

If you requested a programmable thermostat, is that noted?

Return Air Vent

Is the location of the return air vent aesthetically pleasing?

Is the return air vent centered on a wall?

Is the location of the return air vent clear of curtains, furniture, art, or mirrors?

Exterior Air Compressor

Is the location of exterior air compressor accessible for the repairman?

Will the noise created when running disturb anyone in nearby rooms?

Is the compressor out of harm’s way if located along a driveway?

HVAC System

Is the location of HVAC system accessible for a repairman?

Is the HVAC system the proper size in relation to the size of the house?

Are there an appropriate number of HVAC or radiant heat zones?

Are the correct rooms connected to the correct radiant heat thermostats?

Is access to the HVAC filter convenient?

Do any rooms require extra HVAC vents? If so, are those shown?

Geothermal System

If installing a geothermal system, is that noted?

File in
Binder 4: Design

Plumbing Plan Review Checklist

Homeowner _________________________________________________________ Date ________________________________

Look carefully at your plumbing plan and answer the questions below. Skip any question that does not apply to your home.

For any questions that you answer “no,” use a copy of the Blank Comment form (page 18) to record your remarks to discuss with your architect.

YES NO

Sinks and Faucets

Are all sinks requested shown?

If you have selected the sinks, are the correct manufacturers, model numbers, colors or finishes, and so on specified?

Are soap dispensers noted in the correct location?

Is the hot water dispenser you requested by the correct sink?

Are all water purifiers noted?

Tubs and Showers

Are all tubs requested shown?

Are tub/shower combinations shown in the correct bathrooms?

Are the directions the tub are positioned correct?

Are all showers requested shown in the correct bathrooms?

If you have already selected tub fixtures, shower fixtures, and accessories that will be installed, are the correct manufacturers, model numbers, colors or finishes, and so on specified?

Are the showerheads shown in the correct locations?

If having multiple showerheads, is that noted?

Does the spray from the showerhead clear the shower bench?

Does the spray from the showerhead clear the shower door?

Does the spray from the showerhead clear the soap dish?

Is the specification listed for the height of the showerhead correct?

If you want shower jets, are they noted on the plans?

If you requested a handheld shower, is that correctly located?

Are all steam showers requested shown?

If you requested two steam heads, is that noted?

Are heated towel bars shown in the correct location? (Heated towel bars should be within reach of the shower or tub.)

Toilets

Are all toilets requested shown?

Are the manufacturers, model numbers, and colors specified correctly?

If a quiet-close toilet lid was requested, is that specified?

If a comfort-height toilet seat was requested, is that specified?

If a padded toilet seat was requested, is that specified?

YES NO

Appliances

Is the water source for all appliances (ice makers, freezers with ice makers, dishwasher, dishwasher drawers, coffeemakers, washing machines, refrigerators with water dispensers, and so on) shown correctly?

Water Heater

Are all water heaters requested shown?

Are the specifications for the manufacturers, model numbers, sizes, gas, or electric correct?

If using a tankless water heater, is that noted on the plans?

Are you happy with the locations of the water heater(s)?

Exterior Faucets

Are all exterior faucets requested shown?

Are the exterior faucet locations aesthetically pleasing?

Are faucets located on every porch, patio, and balcony for hosing off and watering plants? (Consider the aesthetics of the location as well as the function.)

Is there a faucet near the gazebo, pool area, and grilling area?

If you want a hot and cold water faucet in the garage, is that specified?

Will the hot and cold water faucet in the garage be clear of vehicle doors?

If a drinking faucet was requested, is it shown?

Natural Gas

Are all items needing natural gas noted? (These may include HVAC, water heaters, fireplaces, fire pits, grills, stove top, ovens, outdoor lanterns, outdoor fireplaces, pool heater, hot tub, and so on.)

Is the key to operate the gas on a fireplace aesthetically placed?

If you requested that the gas key be inside the bookcase located next to the fireplace, is that noted?

If you requested the gas key to be on the wall behind the curtain return, is that noted?

Miscellaneous

If you will have an aquarium needing water, is that noted?

If any interior water fountains or water walls are requested, are they shown?

If any exterior water fountains, waterfalls, and so on are requested, are they shown? (These may be on a landscape plan or consultant’s plan.)

If any exterior sinks are requested, are they shown?

Are all exterior plumbing needs for pools, hot tubs, waterfalls, ponds, or other items noted? (These may need to be on landscape plans and not architectural plans. Ask your architect.)

Are the number and location of the water shutoff valves acceptable?

Is the water meter in an acceptable location for the water meter reader?

Is the gas meter in an acceptable location for the gas meter reader?

For radiant heat, see HVAC Plan Review Checklist (page 276).