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Contracts & Legal

Shop Drawings

In Plain English

Detailed fabrication drawings prepared by contractors showing exactly how they plan to build or install specific items.

Definition

Shop drawings are detailed drawings, diagrams, and schedules prepared by contractors or subcontractors and their suppliers showing exactly how specific elements of the work will be fabricated and installed. They must be submitted to and approved by the architect before the related work proceeds. Shop drawings are prepared for elements like structural steel, precast concrete, mechanical equipment, and millwork.

Example

The steel fabricator submitted shop drawings for all 340 structural steel connections, which the engineer reviewed and approved with minor revisions.

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