The short answer
Across a project an architect produces several distinct sets of drawings, each for a different purpose. First come existing drawings from a measured survey (the house as it is now), then concept and design drawings exploring the layout and look. For approvals, they prepare planning drawings — existing and proposed plans, elevations, sections plus a site and location plan — and later a building regulations set showing construction build-ups, insulation, structure and drainage. Finally there are technical and construction drawings (the detailed information the builder works from) and often detail drawings of specific junctions. Planning drawings show what the building will look like and where it sits; building regs and construction drawings show how it is actually built. You usually do not get all of them at once — they are produced stage by stage.
"The drawings" is not one thing. An architect produces several different sets through a project, and confusing the planning set with the building set is a common — and costly — mistake.
Drawing sets and their job
- Existing/surveyRecords the building as it is
- Concept/designExplores layout and look
- PlanningFor the council's decision
- Building regsFor safe, compliant construction
- Construction detailWhat the builder builds from
Survey and concept drawings
Everything starts with an accurate record of the existing building:
- Measured survey / existing drawings: plans, elevations and sometimes sections of the property as it is now, drawn from physical measurements. Every later drawing relies on these being correct.
- Concept and design drawings: sketch layouts, outline plans and often 3D views or massing studies that explore how the new space could work and look. These are deliberately loose so ideas can be tested and changed cheaply before any detail is committed.
At this point the drawings are about communication and decision-making, not construction. They help you picture options and agree a direction.
Planning drawings
Once a layout is agreed, the architect prepares the set the local authority needs to decide a planning application. A typical householder set includes:
- Location plan: an Ordnance Survey-based plan, usually at 1:1250, showing the property in its wider context with the site outlined in red.
- Site/block plan: a closer view, often 1:500 or 1:200, showing the building, boundaries, access and drainage.
- Existing and proposed floor plans: the layout now and as proposed.
- Existing and proposed elevations: the external faces of the building, before and after.
- Existing and proposed sections: a vertical slice showing heights and levels.
Planning drawings are about form, scale, appearance and impact on neighbours. They deliberately do not show every construction detail — that comes later.
| Drawing | What it shows | Mainly used for |
|---|---|---|
| Location plan | Property in its setting | Planning application |
| Site/block plan | Boundaries, access, drains | Planning application |
| Floor plans | Room layout | Planning + building regs |
| Elevations | External appearance | Planning |
| Sections | Heights and levels | Planning + building regs |
| Construction details | Junctions and build-ups | Building / building regs |
Typical drawings for a UK home project. Sources: Planning Portal; RIBA Plan of Work.
Building regulations and construction drawings
The most detailed drawings come after planning, when the design is made buildable. These serve Building Control and the builder:
- Building regulations drawings: annotated plans and sections showing wall, floor and roof build-ups, insulation, structural elements, drainage, ventilation, fire safety and the materials and standards used. They demonstrate the design meets the Building Regulations.
- Construction / technical drawings: the working information the builder prices and builds from, often coordinated with a structural engineer's drawings and calculations.
- Detail drawings: large-scale drawings of specific junctions — eaves, thresholds, rooflights — where exactly how parts meet matters for weatherproofing, insulation or appearance.
The key thing to understand is that a planning set is not enough to build from. Builders pricing from planning drawings alone are guessing at the construction, which is how quotes diverge wildly and costs balloon on site. The building regs and construction drawings remove that guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
Are planning drawings enough to build from?
No. Planning drawings show the form, scale and appearance of a proposal for the council's decision. To build safely and price accurately you also need building regulations and construction drawings, which show the construction build-ups, structure and specifications.
What is a location plan and a site plan?
A location plan is an Ordnance Survey-based plan (commonly 1:1250) showing your property in its surroundings with the site outlined in red. A site or block plan is a closer view showing the building, boundaries, access and drainage, usually required for a planning application.
Do I get all the drawings at once?
No. Drawings are produced stage by stage: existing survey first, then concept, then planning, then the detailed building regulations and construction set after planning is granted. This avoids paying to detail a scheme that might still change.
Sources & further reading
- Planning Portal — what drawings you need for a planning application
- RIBA — the RIBA Plan of Work and design information
- GOV.UK — building regulations approval
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific project. They are guidance, not a quotation.