
Master basics of print reading for construction by examining title blocks, scales, legends, schedules, and plan, elevation, and section views to ensure accurate, organized plans.
Explore site plans, foundation plans, floor plans, elevations, and roof framing plans, show how drawings guide building phases. Master the language of construction prints through lines, dimensions, notes, and symbols.
Download the Skills Exercise, answer the questions, and if you want to check your answers you can enter them into the exercise quiz to check them.
Learn how to scale plans by comparing architect and engineer scales, reading scale rulers, and applying step-by-step interpretation from digital images to printed drawings.
Learn to use the engineer scale for outdoor measurements, identify the scale and zero, multiply the last whole number by ten, and count marks for feet.
This file is a fillable PDF that you can use as a worksheet for this exercise. Record your answers, save the file, and you can then transcribe your answers into the auto-graded quiz assignment below. OR you can answer the questions directly in the quiz
Learn to read dimensions and convert them into square units to perform area calculations for estimating materials before starting construction, using the math resources provided.
Calculate area in square feet for construction estimates. Use length times width to find wall and floor areas and apply paint yield per gallon.
Compute the area of triangles, circles, and circle sectors for residential plans, and factor in gables, ten-inch lap siding overlaps, and concealed material to estimate quantities.
Learn to compute volume in construction by adding height to plans, starting with rectangular solids like concrete and expanding to other shapes using basic math and a refresher link.
This course covers the basics elements of residential construction plans, how they are organized, and how to index them to find specific information to include locating and identifying specific dimensions, basic construction terms and abbreviations, and other basic drawing components, lines, and symbols. Different plan views will be explained and the purpose of each.
The course also includes a student exercise for the plan reading module that includes a full set of house plans and over 30 questions designed to teach you how to navigate the plan set. The Scaling module has 2 activities to help you practice reading an architect and engineer scale. You do not need to have a scale; we have provided you with an image based assignment to help you replicate the process. You can check all your answers by entering them in the quiz and get immediate feedback.
We also include several video lessons on basic construction math just in case you need a refresher. Review unit conversation, area and volume calculations.
If you are a beginner, you will not overwhelmed with this course content – we have kept it light for those just starting in construction plan reading.
Hope to see you in the course to learn this valuable skill with us.