VG — Plan Template Variables · Owner & PM Approval

We are proposing a standard set of annotation boxes that will appear on every plan deliverable VG produces, plus a companion set of extraction boxes the In-House Architect (IHA) team fills in by reading outside-vendor plans. Each box carries the exact estimating variables that drive our work-order budgets. Today these same variables get re-keyed by the PM into capture forms after the fact — this proposal sources them directly from the plans, making the estimate as accurate as the drawings themselves and eliminating six paper-trail forms.

What we are asking you to approve

Approval 01Owner

Adopt annotation-box standard on IHA plans

Going forward, every plan the IHA team produces (architectural, electrical, siding, kitchen, laundry, closets, tile, drainage) carries a standard annotation box where the variables on the next pages are filled in at time of drawing.

Approve Approve w/ edits Hold

Approval 02Owner + PM

Sign off on the variable list as canonical

The variable lists on the next pages become the authoritative inputs to VG's estimating sheet. If a variable changes, the change starts in this document and propagates to the plan templates.

Approve Approve w/ edits Hold

Approval 03PM

IHA fills vendor extraction boxes

When outside vendors (structural, MEP, low-voltage, landscape) deliver plans, the IHA team reads them and fills the extraction boxes — not the PM going through Forms 02 / 04 / 05 / 07 separately.

Approve Approve w/ edits Hold

Why we are doing this

Estimate accuracy Primary

Right now, the same number (e.g., square feet above grade) lives in three places: the plan, the capture form, and the estimating sheet. Each transcription is a chance to drift. When the estimate disagrees with the plan, we don't know which to trust.

Single source of truth: the plan is the variable record.
No re-keying — fewer transcription errors on numbers that feed every WO budget.
When a plan is revised, the estimate updates from the same revision — no version drift.
"Refines" rule already encoded: a vendor plan value overrides earlier walkthrough placeholders, with the override trail visible.

Time savings Secondary

This eliminates six capture forms the PM otherwise fills out after a plan is delivered.

Variables that already exist on a drawing don't need a second home.
PM redirects time from form-filling to field decisions.
IHA spends ~minutes per plan filling a box they already have all the numbers for.

How it works

TodayForms-driven

IHA / vendor delivers plan.
PM reads plan, opens capture Form 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07.
PM transcribes variables into the form.
Estimator reads form, transcribes into estimating sheet.
Plan gets revised → cycle restarts; older form values often left in place.

→

ProposedPlan-driven

IHA delivers plan with annotation box filled in; vendor plan arrives, IHA fills the extraction box on it.
Estimator reads box directly off plan into estimating sheet.
Plan revised → box revised on the same drawing → estimate follows.
No separate capture forms for these variables.

Capture forms retired by this change F02 Structural Eng. F03 Architectural F04 MEP Eng. F05 Low-Voltage / Security F06 Cabinet / Closet / Tile F07 Landscape / Civil

Forms 00 (pre-contract), 01 (walkthrough), 08 (owner selections), 09 (field decisions), and 10 (environmental) are not affected — they capture data that does not live on plan drawings.

What this covers, at a glance

IHA Plan Types
w/ annotation boxes

Vendor Plan Types
w/ extraction boxes

~85

Estimating Variables
standardized

Capture Forms
retired

Part 1 — IHA plan annotation boxes (filled by IHA at time of drawing)

Permit Takeoffs

P0.5 · pre-permit

Primary estimating deliverable. All area-, count-, and dimension-based variables are sourced here. Derived from the full IHA drawing set before permit submission.

Box A — Site Plan

lot_sqftLot size (sq ft) refines Form 00
grading_scopeRough only / finish included

Box B — Floor Plan Dimensions

sqft_above_gradeAbove-grade sq ft refines walkthrough
sqft_footprintFootprint sq ft refines walkthrough
addition_sqftAddition sq ft (0 if none)
stories1 / 1.5 / 2 / 3 refines walkthrough
covered_porch_sqftCovered porch only (sq ft)
stair_tread_countStair tread count
landing_sqftStair landings (sq ft)

Box C — Reflected Ceiling Plans

sqft_ceilingsTotal ceiling area (sq ft)
ceiling_height9ft / 10ft / vaulted
finish_levelLevel 4 / Level 5
specialty_ceil_sqftCoffered / tray / vault (sq ft) — refined by Specialty Trim Plan

Box D — Interior Surface Areas

sqft_wallsInterior face of exterior walls
sqft_atticAttic floor area
sqft_interior_wallsTotal paintable interior wall area

Box E — Exterior Elevations

sqft_sidingSiding area — refined by Siding Plan
sqft_exterior_paintExterior paintable area
trim_profileCorner / frieze / water table style
accent_materialStone / brick accent (y/n)
masonry_sqftVeneer / brick area
ext_steps_countExterior stair runs — refined by Porch/Deck Plan

Box F — Door & Window Schedule

door_count_intInterior door count
door_height6ft 8in / 7ft / 8ft
custom_window_countNon-standard sizes only
garage_door_sizeSingle 8–9ft / double 16–18ft

Replaces Form 03 · Feeds: P1W04P1W05P1W06P1W07P1W08P1W09P1W10P2W03P2W07P2W08P2W09P3W03P3W05P3W07P3W08P3W08bP3W19

Electric

P0.5 · design intent

Layout only — not engineered. MEP vendor confirms final counts in their engineering plan.

Box A — Electrical Design Intent

fixture_count_elecPreliminary fixture count — MEP plan is final
ev_chargerEV charger (y/n) — location flagged for MEP
generator_hookupTransfer switch (y/n) — location flagged for MEP

Feeds: P2W04P3W14

Siding

P0.5

Refines exterior-envelope values from Permit Takeoffs elevations. Siding plan is canonical for exterior areas.

Box A — Siding & Exterior Cladding

sqft_sidingSiding area refines Permit Takeoffs Box E
trim_profileConfirms Permit Takeoffs Box E
accent_materialStone / brick accent (y/n) refines Permit Takeoffs Box E
masonry_sqftVeneer / brick area refines Permit Takeoffs Box E

Feeds: P1W10P2W09

Kitchen Plan

P0.5 + post-DW revision

Box A — Kitchen Layout

lnft_cabinetsUpper + lower combined (kitchen only)
islandIsland (y/n)
full_height_pantryTall pantry count (0 if none)
sqft_countertopKitchen countertops (sq ft)
sink_cutoutsSink cutouts
cooktop_cutoutCooktop cutout (y/n)
kitchen_bs_sqftBacksplash area (sq ft)
cabinet_pull_countKitchen pulls + knobs

Post-drywall revision: re-enter lnft_cabinets, sqft_countertop, cabinet_pull_count from FM as-built.

Replaces Form 06 (kitchen) · Feeds: P3W04P3W09P3W11P3W13

Wine Bar Plan

P0.5

Box A — Wine Bar Layout

lnft_cabinetsWine bar cabinet run
sqft_countertopWine bar countertop (sq ft)
wine_bar_bs_sqftBacksplash area (sq ft)
wet_bar_countWet bar plumbing rough-in (y/n) — flag for MEP
cabinet_pull_countWine bar pulls only

Feeds: P2W02P3W04P3W09P3W11P3W13

Vanity Plan

P0.5

Box A — Vanity & Bath Layout

bath_vanity_countTotal vanities all bathrooms
lnft_cabinetsVanity cabinets combined (all baths)
sqft_countertopVanity tops all bathrooms (sq ft)
cabinet_pull_countVanity pulls only

Feeds: P3W04P3W09P3W13

Laundry Room

P0.5

Box A — Laundry Layout

lnft_cabinetsLaundry room cabinets
sqft_countertopCounter (0 if none)
laundry_bs_sqftBacksplash (0 if none)
laundry_sinkSink included (y/n)
washer_dryerStacked / side-by-side
cabinet_pull_countLaundry room pulls + knobs

Replaces Form 06 (laundry) · Feeds: P2W02P3W04P3W09P3W11P3W13P3W16

Plumbing — Shower Elevations

P0.5

Per-shower elevation drawings showing wall tile extent, niche locations, glass enclosure type, and steam rough-in. Issued before tile orders are placed.

Box A — Shower Elevations

shower_wall_sqftAll shower walls combined (sq ft)
niche_countTile niches across all showers
shower_encl_countFrameless shower enclosures
steam_showerSteam rough-in required (y/n)

Feeds: P2W02P3W02P3W15

Closet Plans

P0.5 + post-DW revision

Box A — Design Intent (pre-construction)

closet_countTotal closets refines Permit Takeoffs
walk_in_countWalk-ins refines Permit Takeoffs
lnft_cabinetsBuilt-in systems only (standard rod/shelf excluded)

Per-closet type grid (one row per closet on plan): R&S / H&L / Pantry / BI / OS

Box B — Post-Drywall

lnft_cabinetsUpdated from FM field measurements
cabinet_pull_countAll closet hardware

Replaces Form 06 (closets) · Feeds: P3W04P3W06P3W13

Specialty Trim Plan

P0.5

Owner approves each specialty trim item. Leave blank if not applicable. Drives P3W07 budget.

Box A — Specialty Trim Scope

trim_mudroomMudroom built-ins / lockers (y/n)
trim_coffered_ceilCoffered ceiling (y/n)
trim_specialty_wallsBoard & batten / slat wall (y/n)
trim_fp_surroundFireplace surround millwork (y/n)
mantel_byMantel assigned to: P2W06 / P3W07
trim_spec_beamsDecorative beams (y/n)
trim_wainscotingWainscoting (y/n)
trim_bookshelvesBuilt-in bookshelves (y/n)
trim_bench_builtinsBench built-ins (y/n)
trim_spec_ceilingsSpecialty ceilings — herringbone etc. (y/n)
trim_shiplapShiplap accent walls (y/n)
specialty_ceil_sqftCoffered / tray / vault sq ft refines Permit Takeoffs Box C

Feeds: P2W06P2W08P3W07

Porch / Deck / Hardscaping

P0.5

Box A — Dimensions (IHA measures)

covered_porch_sqftCovered porch sq ft refines Permit Takeoffs Box B
deck_sqftOpen deck area (0 if none)
ext_steps_countExterior stair runs refines Permit Takeoffs Box E
masonry_sqftExterior stone / brick refines Permit Takeoffs Box E
lnft_railingExterior railing (ln ft)

Box B — Material Selections (owner)

deck_materialComposite / pressure treated / hardwood / pavers
porch_floor_materialPainted wood / tile / composite / concrete

Feeds: P2W09P3W19

Landscaping

P1 · w/ site work

IHA-drawn. Coordinates with site work timeline.

Box A — Landscape & Grounds

sod_sqftSod area (sq ft)
planting_countTrees + shrubs + perennials combined
mulch_cu_ydsMulch (cubic yards)
gravel_sqftDecorative stone (0 if none)
irrigationIrrigation system (y/n)

Feeds: P2W10

Fencing

P1 · w/ site work

IHA-drawn. Coordinated with site work.

Box A — Fencing

lnft_fenceFence linear feet
fence_height4ft / 6ft / 8ft
gate_countGate count

Feeds: P2W11

Driveway

P1 · before driveway bid

IHA-drawn. Before driveway bid is finalized.

Box A — Driveway

sqft_drivewayDriveway area (sq ft)
drainage_type_dwSheet drain / catch basin / curtain drain
curb_cut_requiredCurb cut / apron permit (y/n)

Feeds: P2W12

Tile

P0.5 · IHA + Owner fills

Box A — Tile Areas (IHA measures)

sqft_tileBathroom floor tile total refines Permit Takeoffs
shower_wall_sqftAll shower walls refines Plumbing — Shower Elevations

Box B — Tile Selections (owner fills)

tile_sizeStandard ≤12in / large-format >12in
tile_orientationStraight / diagonal
floor_patternField only / accent border / mosaic inset
Grout colorText — color name / code (design reference only)
Schluter trim colorText — trim color (design reference only)

Replaces Form 06 (tile) · Feeds: P2W02P3W02P3W15

Flooring

P0.5 · IHA + Owner fills

Box A — Floor Areas (IHA measures)

sqft_hardwoodHardwood floor area
sqft_vinylLVP / vinyl area
sqft_carpetCarpet area (0 if none)
subfloor_conditionGood / needs leveling / full replacement

Box B — Flooring Selections (owner)

flooring_gradeStandard 1.0 / premium 1.4
flooring_speciesOak / maple / white oak / engineered

Feeds: P3W03P3W10

Trim

P0.5

Box A — Trim Quantities (IHA measures)

lnft_base_trimBase molding (ln ft — all floors)
lnft_casingDoor + window casing (ln ft)
lnft_crownCrown (0 if none)
lnft_railingInterior railing (ln ft)

Box B — Trim & Stain Selections (owner / PM)

stain_lnftTrim / railing receiving stain (ln ft)

Feeds: P3W05P3W08P3W08bP3W10P3W19

Backsplash

P0.5 · IHA + Owner fills

Consolidates backsplash areas from Kitchen, Laundry, and Wine Bar plans. These boxes refine values first entered on those respective plans.

Box A — Backsplash Areas (IHA measures)

kitchen_bs_sqftKitchen backsplash refines Kitchen Plan Box A
laundry_bs_sqftLaundry backsplash (0 if none) refines Laundry Room Box A
wine_bar_bs_sqftWine bar backsplash (0 if none) refines Wine Bar Plan Box A

Box B — Backsplash Selections (owner)

bs_tile_sizeStandard / mosaic / large-format
Grout colorText — color name / code (design reference only)

Feeds: P3W11

Door & Cabinet Knobs

P0.5 · IHA + Owner fills

Hardware schedule for all interior doors and cabinetry. Consolidates counts across all rooms.

Box A — Hardware Counts (IHA counts from schedule)

door_knob_countPassage + privacy + lockset combined
cabinet_pull_countAll pulls and knobs — kitchen, baths, laundry, wine bar, closets

Box B — Hardware Selections (owner)

Hardware finishText — e.g., satin nickel / matte black / brass (design reference)
Hardware styleText — e.g., bar pull / cup pull / round knob (design reference)

Replaces Form 06 (hardware) · Feeds: P3W05P3W13

Part 2 — Vendor plan extraction boxes (IHA fills from outside-vendor plans)

Foundation

P0.5 · pre-foundation bid

Vendor: structural engineer (e.g., Garfinkel Design Group). Required gate before foundation and drainage bids are finalized.

Box A — Foundation & Drainage

drainage_lnftInterior / exterior drainage system (ln ft)
waterproofing_typeInterior / exterior / both
footing_depthPer engineer spec
foundation_wall_htNew foundation wall height (ft)
drywellDrywell required (y/n)

Replaces Form 02 (foundation) · Feeds: P1W04P1W05P1W11

Framing

P0.5 · pre-framing gate

Vendor: structural engineer (same firm as Foundation — often delivered as one package). Required gate before framing bids.

Box A — Framing & Site Work

beam_countEngineered beams (LVL / steel)
truss_planRoof / floor / both / no
major_openingsNew structural openings
retaining_wall_lnftRetaining wall (0 if none)
rim_joist_lnftRim joist (ln ft)

Replaces Form 02 (framing) · Feeds: P1W04P1W06P2W07

Roofing

P0.5 · pre-roofing bid

Vendor: roofing contractor or engineer — may be derived from the structural plan set or issued separately. Required before roofing bid is finalized.

Box A — Roof Geometry & Drainage

dormer_countDormer count
valley_countValley count
skylight_countSkylights (0 if none)
chimney_countChimneys requiring flashing
lnft_guttersGutter perimeter (ln ft)
leader_countDownspout count

Feeds: P1W07P1W11

MEP Engineering

P0.5 · pre-rough permits

Vendor: MEP engineering firm (mechanical / electrical / plumbing). Confirms and supersedes IHA preliminary counts.

Box A — HVAC

utilities_fuelGas / oil / electric refines Form 00
zone_countHVAC zone count
equipment_tonnageTotal tons (equipment schedule)
duct_typeRigid / flex / combination

Box B — Plumbing

laundry_sinkConfirms IHA Laundry Room plan
outdoor_hose_bibsHose bib count

Box C — Electrical

fixture_count_elecFinal fixture count replaces IHA Electric prelim
circuit_countFrom panel schedule

Box D — MEP Finishes Schedule

plumbing_fix_countAll plumbing fixtures
lighting_fix_countAll light fixtures
hvac_grille_countSupply + return grilles combined

Replaces Form 04 · Feeds: P2W02P2W03P2W04P3W14

Low-Voltage & Security

P0.5 · after MEP

Vendor: low-voltage / AV / security contractor. Documents infrastructure — devices come from Form 08 (Owner Selections).

Box A — Low-Voltage Layout

network_drop_countCat6 / ethernet drops
speaker_zone_countIn-ceiling speaker zones

Replaces Form 05 · Feeds: P2W05

What we are NOT changing

Form 00 / 01

Pre-contract data and walkthrough still captured on forms — they cover information that doesn't live on plans (legal/zoning, utilities, deal terms, existing conditions).

Form 08 / 09

Owner selections and field decisions remain on forms — they're choices, not measurements. Tile owner-selections (Box B above) are the one exception, captured on the plan itself.

Form 10

Environmental data stays on a form — it comes from survey reports (soil, asbestos, mold), not plan drawings.

Sign-off

By signing below, you indicate approval (or noted exceptions) on the three asks at the top of this document. Edits and exceptions can be written in the margins on the relevant page — the architectural-plans variable list (Plan 01) is the longest and likely the most discussed.

Owner

Approval 01 (adopt standard) · Approval 02 (variable list canonical)

Signature

Date

Notes / exceptions

Project Manager

Approval 02 (variable list canonical) · Approval 03 (IHA fills vendor boxes)

Signature

Date

Notes / exceptions

IHA Team

Acknowledges responsibility for filling annotation boxes (Part 1) and vendor extraction boxes (Part 2)

Signature

Date

Notes / exceptions

Plan Template VariablesOwner & PM Approval Standardizing the variables our plans must produce — for review & sign-off

Adopt annotation-box standard on IHA plans

Sign off on the variable list as canonical

IHA fills vendor extraction boxes

Estimate accuracy Primary

Time savings Secondary

Form 00 / 01

Form 08 / 09

Form 10

Plan Template Variables
Owner & PM Approval Standardizing the variables our plans must produce — for review & sign-off