Who typically prepares Shop Drawings?

Shop drawings are specific illustrations created to detail how a particular component of a project will be constructed, installed, or assembled. These drawings are often prepared by specialty contractors because they possess the specific technical knowledge and expertise required for the individual systems, such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), electrical, plumbing, or fire protection.

Specialty contractors are responsible for conveying the requirements set out in the construction documents, including dimensions, materials, and the relationship between various components, which needs to be precise for successful installation. This level of detail ensures that all team members involved in the project have a clear understanding of how the systems will integrate within the overall design.

In contrast, while project owners, architects, and engineers are integral to the construction process, they are not specifically tasked with creating shop drawings. Project owners typically provide the vision and funding; architects and engineers focus on the original design and specifications. General contractors may coordinate the shop drawings, but the actual preparation and detailed work are primarily within the purview of specialty contractors who have extensive experience in their respective fields.