Architects plans without measurements

[Properbobbins]

We’re planning an extension and have plans from an architect that have gone through planning permission and we have building reg drawings. I’ve questioned the architect when we came to sort out a new kitchen that these didn’t have measurements on but was told that it’s advisory only and that it’s the building contractors responsibility to set the building out correctly on site.

Our builders are saying they have never seen plans without measurements on them and don’t understand why they haven’t been included. Is this normal? Who is correct?

Feel a bit stuck in the middle about a process I have no knowledge or experience in.

You would never normally put dimensions on planning drawings unless the council explicitly asks because this would make it much easier for the planners to argue that a project isn’t built as per the drawings if the on site dims vary slightly.

As for the setting out dimensions for drawings at a later stage I would say check your agreement. Are they only providing information to get the project through building regs? Or are they working to get the scheme ready for construction or to a certified RIBA stage?

Ultimately if typist agreement is for the latter, working drawings packs should have dims, how else is the contractor to know where to start! The architects is right that it’s the contractors responsibility to set it out right on site but they still need to give them the information to set out from. If they insist against this I would worry that it hasn’t been designed to the actual dimensions of materials. Eg, bricks are a set size so are kitchen units.

But your agreement may say they’re only producing building regs drawings in which case they could probably wiggle out of providing dims. Drawings should still be to scale though.

I am surprised they’ve said no if you asked. Clients often want dims on drawings so they can understand the sizes themselves before the work even gets to site.

We’ve had two large extensions and both plans had measurements on. You could check out your local council planning website and have a look at other plans that have been submitted to get an idea of what is the ‘norm’.

Had several extensions done with planning permission. They always had measurements on as otherwise the planners can't be c,ear you are complying with plannings regs, especially if the plans don't need full PP but are permitted development

Thank you all for your comments, much appreciated.

Architects plans are drawn to scale - they don't need measurements written in, you scale off the drawing.

Plans will be drawn to an appropriate scale for planning (usually 1:50 or 1:100) to enable planners to determine fairly accurately the size of an extension - usually within tenth of a centimetre.

Drawings would need to be at a far larger scale to accurately portray eg the exact size if kitchen units. This would be an additional set if plans paid for by you after the planning process.

Don't scale off drawings! Not for actual building and if any accuracy is required. All our drawings are noted that they should never be scaled and if a dimension is missing they should ask.

I would expect basic dimensions on the planning drawings, or if they are not provided, then a scale should be sufficient. But building regulation drawings should certainly be dimensioned.

Planners always scale off drawings. As I said, this would not be accurate enough for detailed measurements though. Different drawings needed for different purposes.

The OP has had building regulation drawings done, not just planning drawings. Their architect has said that it's down to the builder to come up with the dimensions. That is the issue, not whether the planners can work out dimensions.

The builders need the working drawings, how on earth are they to set out precisely otherwise? Your architect sounds an odd bird, there's no need to be difficult over this. Suggest builder has a meeting with the architect which would be a sensible thing to do prior to build in any event as they need to work together on delivery.

I wonder if OPs got a random technician to get them planning and building regs approval rather than an architect to see them through the work stages