What does A-101 mean on a plan?

A is the discipline (architectural), and the number is the sheet. Many offices use the first digit for the sheet type, so A-101 is often a floor plan and A-201 an elevation, but numbering varies, so check the sheet index.

What is the difference between a permit set and a bid set?

A permit set is what goes to the building department for approval. A bid set goes to contractors for pricing. They may differ, and addenda can change the bid set before bids are due.

What is a plan set and how is it organized?

A plan set is the full collection of drawings for a project, organized by discipline with a letter at the start of each sheet number: A for architectural, S for structural, M for mechanical, E for electrical and P for plumbing. C (civil) and L (landscape) also appear. The sheet index on the cover lists every sheet.

Worked example

Finding what a drywall bid needs in a plan set.

1.Open the sheet index on the cover sheet
2.A sheets: floor plans for wall runs, the reflected ceiling plan (RCP) for ceilings
3.Finish schedule and wall types for board type and thickness
4.S sheets only if framing details affect the board

You know which sheets to measure before you start the takeoff.

Measure it in MetreMate

Upload the whole PDF set into one project, then use Layers to keep each trade or sheet's measurements separate.

See the Layers Manager feature

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

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