Before any timber is cut for a bespoke commission, a set of drawings should exist that the architect or designer has seen and approved. These are shop drawings, sometimes called workshop or manufacturing drawings. Done properly, they are the safest and cheapest point at which to change your mind.
What a good package shows
- Plans, elevations and sections at a scale that allows the construction to be read.
- Dimensions taken from site, with the datum and any tolerances clearly stated.
- Joint and construction details, so the way each piece is made is understood and not assumed.
- Timber, veneer or board type, and the intended finish for each element.
- Ironmongery positions and types, including hinges, handles, locks and runners.
- Interfaces with other trades: walls, floors, ceilings, services and lighting.
Why we draw twice
Every commission we make is drawn twice. First in CAD, to coordinate the design and produce the cutting information. Then again at full size as a rod, a traditional full-scale drawing that proves proportions, mouldings and joints in a way a screen cannot. Differences between the two are resolved before they reach timber.
How approval should work
Drawings are issued, reviewed and either approved or returned with comments. It helps to agree up front who signs off, how long a review will take, and what happens when drawings are returned. Programme delays on joinery often begin in a drawing queue, not a workshop. A named approver and a stated turnaround time protect everyone.
Change after approval
Approval is the point at which the design is fixed for manufacture. Changes after that point are possible, but they cost time and sometimes material. A good workshop will say plainly what a late change will affect, so the decision can be made with the facts in front of you.
What to look for as an architect or contractor
Check that drawings reflect your design intent, that dimensions and interfaces are right, and that the details can be built and installed. If something looks wrong, say so at this stage. For more on how our process runs from first drawing to fitting, see how a commission works.
What are joinery shop drawings?
They are the detailed manufacturing drawings a joinery workshop produces from the design information and site dimensions. They show construction, dimensions, materials, finish and interfaces, and are approved before making begins.
Who approves joinery shop drawings?
Usually the architect or designer, sometimes with the contractor and client. It is best to agree the named approver and review time at the start.