Category: Design
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
A floor plan shows a floor as if cut horizontally about a metre above the floor, with walls, doors, windows, stairs, room names, areas, dimensions and grid lines.
Why it matters on a project
It is the base of every other drawing: owners read room sizes from it, and contractors take off blockwork, tiles and plaster from it. Any dimension error carries into every discipline.
Measurement and pricing
Floor areas in square metres, wall lengths for blockwork, plaster and paint, and doors and windows by number.
Worked example
A 4 x 5 m room, 3 m high, with a 0.9 x 2.1 m door and 1.5 x 1.5 m window: floor 4 × 5 = 20 m², walls (2 × (4 + 5)) × 3 = 54 m² less openings 1.89 + 2.25 = 4.14 m², leaving 49.86 m² of paint.
Common mistake
Scaling dimensions off a printed drawing instead of using the written dimensions, so the take-off differs from reality.
Frequently asked questions
What scale is a floor plan drawn at?
Usually 1:100 for general plans and 1:50 for detailed plans, bathrooms and kitchens.
Is the plan area the deed area?
No, the deed is the land area; the plan gives the built-up area and net room areas.
Related terms
- Construction drawingsDetailed drawings used to build the work on site after design approval, including dimensions, levels and details.
- SectionA drawing showing the building as if cut vertically to reveal floors, heights and internal details.
- Elevation (facade)A drawing of the building’s external face showing openings, materials and heights.
- Quantity take-offExtracting quantities from drawings under defined measurement rules, with a reference for every figure.
Read next
- Design Drawings vs Construction Drawings: The Difference
- Work out quantities with our free calculators: concrete, tiles, paint and plaster. Open the calculators
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