Drafting for Renovation Projects

ATELIER WHITE #BIM & #Revit To all architects, engineers, and design professionals: learn Revit not as a trend, but as a necessity. It’s the language of smart, sustainable, and scalable design. It’s a full-scale BIM environment that turns raw concepts into intelligent, data-driven models. Here are some of the essential commands, tools, and workflows I’ve been actively using: • Wall, Floor, Roof, Ceiling Tools: Mastered the Component and Sketch methods to build with control and accuracy. • Modify Tab: Align (AL), Trim/Extend (TR), Offset (OF) small tools, major impact on workflow speed and precision. • Families: I’ve started creating and editing parametric families for custom furniture, lighting, and structural components. • Visibility/Graphics Overrides (VG): A game changer for model clarity especially when working in detailed sections and complex views. • Worksets & Collaboration: Getting comfortable with Worksharing, using Synchronize with Central, and managing element borrowing for clean, coordinated teamwork. • Schedules: I now use Material Takeoff Schedules and Quantity Schedules to extract real-time data and support cost estimation early in the design process. • View Templates & Filters: Applying standardized templates to ensure drawing consistency across sheets and control visibility with precision. • Phasing Tool: Perfect for renovation projects automating demolition vs. new construction visualization. • Detailing Tools: Leveraging Detail Lines, Filled Regions, and Keynotes to bring 2D clarity to 3D models. And let’s not forget: Sheet Setup + Title Blocks. Revit makes documentation and presentation feel seamless when your model is strong.

You had a fight with your supplier in Saudi Arabia? 99% cases come down to 1 thing: Scope of work. Real Life Example: I volunteered to carry out the office renovation project. Scope of work confirmed: Architecture + Construction + Interior Design Contract signed. Architectural project ✔️ Construction ✔️ Interior Design ✔️ I called Waleed. B: When are you guys selecting the furniture? W: Its not our scope of work. B: (taking a deep breath) What do you mean? W: Its not our scope of work. Turns out, that also meant: ↳ No sourcing of furniture ↳ No selection of materials ↳ No site supervision during installation ↳ No coordination with vendors ↳ No responsibility for delivery timelines Everything I thought comes with “interior design”? Not included. Why? Because we never wrote it down. I assumed. I assumed: sofa in the picture = sofa in the office. Since Waleed is a great guy, and I was his “favorite” client he jumped in and helped me out. So I learned my lesson. Not this time. I heard “That’s not my scope of work” more times than I would like to admit. Creating scope of work is an art. It sounds simple? And it is. If you know how to do it. There 3 things you need to agree on: 1. What needs to be done 2. Deliverables 3. Timeline 1. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE Now I start with an “end in mind”. I create simple google sheet. 3 columns: Column 1: Objective Eg: Furnished office Column 2: Activity Activity 1: Selecting Furniture Activity 2: Supervising furniture installation (both activities refer to single objective above) Column 3: Responsible Every activity has assigned an owner: Activity 1: Interior designer Activity 2: Project Manager Be clear. Be specific and detailed. Dont assume. If your project is more complex make sure to read “Bonus 2” below on a tip how to define scope of work. 2. DELIVERABLES Always. Always. Always ask for example of how deliverable should look like. Especially if you are working with consultants. They will write “PDF Document” or “Excel file”. Did they surprise me with those documents. Not in a pleasant way. Ask them to send a past project that you can use as a reference point. 3. TIMELINE This is crucial. Timelines depends on both parties.  When supplier delivers client should not wait 3 years to give feedback. Bonus 1: BUDGET This should be your starting point and many clients do not communicate this. If you dont know exactly provide at least a range. You know if you want to spend 1k, 10k or 100k. You just know. Makes life easier for everyone. Bonus 2: ADVISOR If you are doing project for the 1st time in the industry you are not familiar with - architecture, software development etc, it’s worth bringing in someone who “has been there, done that” to help define the scope of work. I used to think that was a waste of money. It’s not. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make. Thats it. Remember, scope of work isn’t paperwork. Its piece of mind. Make sure to do it right. Lets build 🏔️

Essential Contract Drafting Points Every Construction Professional Must Review Before you sign any contract, make sure these critical aspects are reviewed and clearly defined: 🔹 1. Scope of Works (SoW) • Detailed, specific, and measurable deliverables 🔹 2. Payment Terms • Valuation method (e.g., interim, milestone-based) • Retention, advance payments, final account procedures 🔹 3. Variations & Claims • Procedures for instruction, pricing, time impact • Notification timeframes and evidence requirements 🔹 4. Time-Related Provisions • Completion dates, sectional handover, liquidated damages • Extension of Time (EOT) conditions and claim protocol 🔹 5. Responsibilities & Deliverables • Design obligations (if any), procurement timelines • Submittal requirements (e.g., shop drawings, as-builts) 🔹 6. Insurance & Bonds • Types (CAR, third-party, PI insurance) • Performance bonds, advance payment guarantees 🔹 7. Termination Clauses • For default and convenience—by both parties • Obligations upon termination (payment, demobilization) 🔹 8. Force Majeure & Unforeseen Events • Definition, notice period, impact on time and cost 🔹 9. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms • Escalation hierarchy (negotiation → adjudication → arbitration) • Jurisdiction and governing law 🔹 10. Risk Allocation Matrix • Clearly allocate who bears risk for specific project elements 🔹 11. Indemnities & Liability Caps • Limitations of liability, consequential losses • Mutual indemnity clauses 🔹 12. Communication & Notice Procedures • Accepted modes of communication, designated contacts, and response times

How you make your plan for hotel renovation? 1. Assessment Evaluate Current Conditions: Inspect all areas of the hotel, including guest rooms, lobbies, dining areas, and facilities. Gather Guest Feedback: Review comments and suggestions from guests to identify areas that need improvement. 2. Define Goals Set Objectives: Decide on the primary goals of the renovation (e.g., modernization, increased energy efficiency, improved guest experience). Budget Planning: Establish a budget that includes all expected costs, such as materials, labor, and contingency funds. 3. Design Phase Hire Professionals: Engage architects and interior designers who specialize in hospitality. Create Design Concepts: Develop design concepts that align with your brand and guest expectations. 4. Approval Process Obtain Necessary Permits: Ensure all renovations comply with local building codes and regulations. Stakeholder Approval: Present plans to stakeholders for feedback and approval. 5. Project Timeline Develop a Schedule: Create a timeline that outlines each phase of the renovation, from design to completion. Minimize Disruption: Plan renovations in phases to minimize disruption to guests. 6. Implementation Contracting: Hire contractors and subcontractors for the renovation work. Supervision: Regularly monitor progress to ensure the project stays on track and within budget. 7. Final Touches Quality Control: Conduct inspections to ensure all work meets quality standards. Furnishing and Decor: Install furnishings, artwork, and decor to complete the look. 8. Launch Marketing Strategy: Develop a marketing plan to promote the renovated hotel, including special offers. Grand Reopening: Plan an event to celebrate the reopening and attract guests. 9. Feedback and Adjustments Collect Guest Feedback: After reopening, gather feedback to assess the success of the renovation. Make Necessary Adjustments: Be prepared to make minor adjustments based on guest experiences.

Most renovation and TI projects start the same way: someone hands you a Revit model, and you spend the first week just getting it into a state where you can actually design. Cleaning up layers. Rebuilding geometry. Switching between three tools before you've started designing. We built Snaptrude to skip all of that. Import your existing Revit model and start designing immediately, no cleanup, no remodeling the model before you remodel the building. In this video, we walk through two real workflows: → A tenant improvement for a commercial office floor. The shell comes straight from Revit. Laying out tenant spaces and getting a full area breakdown happens in a single working session. Jump to Program Mode and you instantly see how the square footage is distributed across every space type. → A renovation project. Bring in the Revit model and start making BIM edits right away, resize rooms, add openings, swap materials. No friction, no learning curve. Whatever the project: TI, renovation, extension; the path from existing conditions to finished design shouldn't require starting over. That's the whole point.

YOU CANNOT DESIGN WHAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND Why is Field Measurement Still Matters in Construction. Before you pick up your laptop, pick up your tape. One of the biggest mistakes I see in building renovation projects is jumping straight into design without understanding the reality on ground. For this secondary school renovation project, I didn’t just rely on old drawings or assumptions. In fact we couldn’t access old drawings. I went to site myself and took actual physical measurements → Classroom sizes → Office dimensions → Toilet layouts → Window and door positions → Structural clearances Why this is important? Because buildings don’t always match what’s on paper, especially older public structures. Field measurement helps you: ↳Identify hidden errors early. ↳Avoid clashes between new designs and existing structures. ↳Ensure your BEME reflects actual quantities. ↳Prevent costly redesigns during construction. This step made our design process more accurate and gave the contractor confidence in execution. If you want to lead projects that finish well, start by understanding what exists. P.S. This project is a state government initiative for rural development, awarded to the LGA Chairman. I was called in to inspect, design, and prepare all onboarding documents. I’ll keep sharing our progress as we move. What’s your take — do you still take site measurements yourself or delegate it? Let’s talk in the comments. #JacohdielEngineering #ConstructionLeadership #SiteMeasurement #DesignAccuracy #RenovationProjects #CivilEngineering #BEME #FieldToFinish #RuralDevelopment #ProjectExecution #EngineeringInsights