Author: Andrew Wells
September 28, 2025
What is a permit drawing? What is a construction drawing? What are the specifications?
Introduction
If you are considering completing a home improvement project, the following are some questions that you may have. What are these documents? Do I need them? How much do they cost? You may want or need these documents for a few simple reasons. Some projects may require drawings for a permit, whereas others do not. For example, a roof change or a simple bathroom or kitchen remodel may not require drawings. Construction drawings and specifications can be used to administer your contract for in-depth projects, such as an addition or floor plan change. In short, permit drawings only contain the necessary information for the building department to approve a permit, and construction drawings and specifications contain the project’s finer details. To better understand these documents, let us break them down so that we know what they are used for. Remember, there is much more to construction documents and specifications; these are the basics to get you started.
Safety
What is the ICC? The International Code Council is a nonprofit organization that develops building codes with the primary goals of safety, affordability, and sustainability. In 1994, the ICC was established when three separate code development entities combined. These three entities go back as far as 1915 and took historical lessons learned (accidents and failures) and established codes. Fire has influenced many of our current safety codes. You can check out the ICC here.
Energy Efficiency
According to Energy.gov, homes and buildings use 40% of the energy consumed in the US, and $200-$400 of homeowners’ energy expenses are lost due to drafts, air leaks, and outdated systems. Recently, energy codes have been discussed, and measures to increase efficiency have been adopted. From 2006 to 2021, the energy codes increased the efficiency by approximately 40%. Why is the government concerned about energy efficiency? Decreasing energy costs through improved efficiency reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, stimulates economic growth, and improves the American people’s health and well-being.
Zoning
Zoning ordinances dictate which land can be used for what purposes. This helps preserve the character of neighborhoods by keeping specific types of buildings in particular areas. Imagine a noisy metalworking shop being constructed in your quiet neighborhood.
Building Department (AHJ)
The building department in your town or city is the authority having jurisdiction. The building department enforces building codes. Enforcement is a strong word, but these guys are here to keep you safe. The building department receives your construction permit, reviews the permit and any required documents, issues a permit, and inspects the work. The building department enforces the codes developed by the ICC, state-level amendments to the ICC code, and local ordinances. The state has tailored the code created by the ICC and has released amendments to the code. Each city and town has an ordinance code that may have variations or special requirements based on that area’s particular conditions.
Permit Drawings VS Construction Drawings & Specifications
A permit drawing contains the necessary information for the building department to review for code compliance. Construction documents will include more details. For example, a permit drawing may indicate a window’s energy efficiency but will not detail the window’s manufacture or materials. This is because the building department only needs to know that the window will meet the energy code and safety requirements. A typical residential window can be made of materials ranging from aluminum to vinyl or wood, and a price range of $250-$2000. Construction documents may also include installation quality specifications, such as those provided by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders).
In addition, building departments need basic details, such as the following: “The grade shall fall not fewer than 6 inches within the first 10 feet.” Permit drawings can indicate that this code will be complied with, but they do not show how. In contrast, a plot plan in the construction documents contains elevation data and specifies the finished project’s grade. This information puts all trades on the same page. Without exact details, you may be left with whatever the contractor decides to do. These details will come in handy during contract administration.
Contract Administration
Contract administration ensures that the project is completed according to all contract terms and conditions. Why is this important and how is it related to a home improvement project? It oversees the four key factors that define a successful project: within the intended design, on time, within budget, and of good quality. Contract administration is the final use of the construction documents. This is the final piece of the puzzle for the construction drawings and specifications. A standard contract with contractual information does not typically contain all the necessary information that defines a project. It may be possible to outline a simple schedule or building size, but what about all the small project measurements and details? Important measurements and quantities are found in your drawings, and the specifications contain material information. Therefore, attaching drawings and specifications to the contract is important for larger projects. Contract administration relies on construction drawings and specifications and ensures a project is within the intended design, on time, within budget, and of good quality.
Analysis
If you haven’t figured it out, the building department sometimes needs drawings and specifications to issue permits. In pursuing public health and safety, the building department requires your project to be built using the code. Certain design elements must be specified because of the complexity of some projects. These projects include additions, a deck, a floor plan change, a garage, and more. Each project must be tailored to its specific conditions. For example, the snow load in Windsor, MA, is greater than that in Pittsfield, MA, due to the higher elevation and lower temperatures. Therefore, the roof rafters may need to be larger and stronger for greater snow loads. In addition, larger buildings generally require more support due to the increased weight and span of framing members. Permit drawings and specifications contain only the information necessary for the building department to approve the project and issue a permit. Construction drawings and specifications are developed to outline the fine details of a project to achieve a successful project through good contract administration.