12-1

Chapter 12___________________________________________________________________

Landscape Drawings & SpecificationsMichael N. Dana

Purdue University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Learning Objectives

From reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to:

• Understand how drawings and specifications communicate landscape design information from adesign team to the implementation team.

• Know the contents and structure of specification sets and drawing sets.• Read and understand landscape specifications.• Read and understand a layout plan, a grading plan and a planting plan.

Introductory Comments

This chapter is intended to familiarize thestudent with the formal documents that arerequired to communicate ideas among all thevarious persons involved in developing alandscape. Not all workers at all levels of aproject will come in contact with all of thesedocuments. However, the more one knowsthe “big picture” the easier it is to see howone’s work fits into the whole.

Contract Documents

Before a landscape development project isconstructed, an agreement is struck betweenthe owner of the project (often called thedeveloper) and the landscape installer (oftencalled the landscape contractor). Thatagreement spells out exactly what thedeveloper wants the landscape contractor todo. That agreement is a contract.

In order for the contract to spell out “exactlywhat the developer wants the landscapecontractor to do” it must contain specific anddetailed information. Although an oralagreement may suffice in extremely simple

projects, in most cases drawings and writtentext (usually called plans and specifications)provide the means of conveying design andconstruction information. Because the plansand specifications make up the complete basisfor the contract between the developer and thelandscape contractor, they are commonlyreferred to as contract documents.

Contract documents include a great deal ofinformation needed to complete the project.Included, for example, is information onmaterials and construction techniques, the formof intended walls, beds, walks, and plantings,the legal rights of each party in disputes, thecompensation for work completed, requiredschedules, etc., etc. Every detail in the contractdocuments is important. Once entered into, thecontract is legally binding on the signers.Horticulturists are primarily concerned with theplans that relate to the installation of plants andwith the accompanying technical plantingspecifications.

Contract document sets for landscapedevelopment generally follow a commonformat. The details of what is included varywith each project and whether it is public orprivate work.

12-2

Table 1 presents a list of typical textdocuments commonly included in contractdocument sets for public projects. These aregenerally referred to as Specifications.Often in private work, several are omitted.

Most of the text documents listed arelegalistic in nature or pertain to the businessand management of the project. For personsdirectly involved in horticultural aspects ofthe work, the Technical Specifications (anddocuments that may alter them, ie. Addendaand Change Orders) are of the mostimportance.

Typical Drawings or illustration documentsare listed in Table 2 These plans vary directlywith the nature of the project. For example,if there is no intent to make landformchanges in the project, there is no need for agrading plan. If simple landform changes areplanned, the grading plan may be sufficientto tell the story without the need forillustrative sections or elevation drawings.

Several drawings or plans are of importanceto the horticultural professional including thedemolition, layout and grading plans. How-ever, much construction is beyond the scopeof what landscape contractors generally do.Of greatest direct interest is the planting plan.

Understanding TechnicalSpecifications

Technical specifications are commonlywritten in language that is best described as“legalese.” That is they may read like courtdocuments written by a lawyer. Of course,given that specifications are part of contractdocuments and the contract is a legallybinding agreement, it makes sense that theyshould be that way.

Specifications are best when they are clearand easily understood in spite of their legal

sound. Excellent specifications are precise intheir use of words and grammar. Misunder-standings about what is intended or requiredcan make projects slower, more expensive andcan lead to ill will between owners and con-tractors. Ambiguous language that can beinterpreted in more than one way or isconfusing has no place in a specifications set.Conversely, it is essential that the landscapecontractor read the specifications thoroughlyand carefully so as to gather a completeunderstanding of the project and its manydetails.

Correct and current landscape horticultural andconstruction practices should also be a part ofwell-written specifications. Antiquatedmethods that are no longer widely practicedtend to be ignored. That, too can lead to illwill between parties.

Information that is contained in specificationsshould not be restated on drawings. Con-versely, if information is given on a drawing, itneed not be restated in the technicalspecifications. Although there is never anintent to confuse, information stated more thanone place can cause problems. During thefinal stages of contract document preparation(often under stress and in haste), changes maybe made in one place, but forgotten in theother, leading to contradictory information. Incases where the “same” information is statedone way in the technical specifications anddifferently on drawings, it is generally heldthat the specifications govern.

Finally, a good specification set is specific tothe project for which it is prepared. It shouldcontain only specification sections for types ofconstruction or planting in the project. Theinclusion of sections about types of work thatare not included in a given project lead toconfusion over what is, or is not, actually inthe job.

12-3

Table 1. Typical Written Text Documents Included in Contract Document Sets (Specifications)

Document Explanation• Title page project name, owner, date• Invitation to Bid an advertisement usually published in local newspapers and area trade

journals to alert potential bidders to the availability of the project andto invite them to submit a bid

• Index to Specifications same as a Table of Contents for the text documents• List of Drawings same as a Table of Contents for the plans• Instructions to Bidders detailed information for the preparation & submission of bids• Affadavits (various) These are sworn statements by the contractor. It is usually required that

the contractor swear that there has been no collusion (price fixing)during the preparation of the bid. Other sworn statements may berequired that help assure there has been no racial discrimination inhiring, or other activities prohibited by law.

• Bid Form official form on which to submit a bid• Form of Contract the example of how the actual contract will be structured• Performance Bond Form official form on which to submit information pertaining to the bidder’s

ability to obtain a performance bond. The successful bidder is usuallyrequired to provide a performance bond (a monetary guarantee) thatserves as insurance for the owner against the contractor’s failure tocomplete the work.

• Certificate of Insurance certifies that the contractor has certain insurance coverages• Pre-qualification form form used by a bidder to supply information (work history, equipment,

financials, etc.) to help the owner determine whether the bidder isqualified to do the work. For public work in Indiana, Form 96A isused.

• Payment Form form for use by the contractor to request incremental payments fromthe owner as the work is completed

• General Conditions contains many, many legal details about the rights & responsibilities ofthe contracting parties

• Supplemental Conditions contains more legal details about rights & responsibilities of thecontracting parties, particularly as they apply to a specific contract

• Schedule of Prevailing Wages wages that must be paid to workers on this contract. These arewage levels that are set by public agencies under applicablestate or federal law (generally applies only to publicly fundedwork)

• Surface and Sub-surface Data existing site information• Statement of Payment of Taxes contractor’s indication of payment of all sales taxes, etc.• Bid Security Form form to accompany a bidder’s bid guarantee. The bid guarantee is a

specified amount of money that the bidder posts to the owner at thetime of bid submission that may be forfeited if the bidder is selected todo the work, but fails to sign a contract for the job.

• Technical Specifications specific written details about what and how to construct the project• Addendum (pl. addenda) A document making a change to the contract documents. Addenda

may be issued by the owner during the bid preparation period, but priorto bid opening and contract awarding.

• Change Order(s) A document making a change to the contract documents. Changeorders may be issued by the owner after the contract is signed and/orthe project work has begun.

12-4

Table 2. Typical Illustration Documents Included in Contract Document Sets (Drawings).

Existing Conditions shows the site as it is before work begins, often including the location ofunderground utilities

Demolition Plan indicates what existing features on the site should be removed and/ordestroyed before new work begins

Site Plan shows the overall project. It illustrates how the work occupies the site andit shows any parts of the site that are outside the area of work (outside thework limit line).

Layout Plan shows precise sizes, shapes and measurements of all the structuralelements in the finished project

Grading Plan this is a type of topography map that shows the shape and form of theexisting and proposed land surface using topographic lines for elevations

Elevations these may supplement the grading plan and further illustrate the finishedshape and form of the land and elements on the land, using the verticaldimension

Planting Plan shows all the plants, their intended locations on the site, and the quantity,size and root condition of all (usually a summary table is located on thisplan, called the Plant List)

Details show close-up information of how key elements are to be constructed orhow plants are to be planted.

Additional Plans other drawings may, for example, illustrate an irrigation system (piping,fittings, apurtenances, etc.) or landscape lighting (wiring, controllers,fixtures, etc.)

12-5

Overall, construction specifications includinglandscape construction generally follow aformat prescribed by the ConstructionSpecifications Institute (CSI). CSI Division2 - Sitework includes Section 02800 “SiteImprovements” and Section 02900“Landscaping.”

Within these sections, specifications followthis common structure:

I. General information, references andstandards

II. Materials to be installed, or ProductsIII. Methods of installation, or ExecutionDocument 1, on the CD only, presents acomplete example of a Section 02900Landscaping.)

The four basic types of specifications aredescriptive, performance, proprietary andreference.

Descriptive specifications are most common.They describe in detail what is to be doneand exactly how it is to be accomplished(Figure 1).

Performance specifications define a result,but do not give precise instructions on how toachieve that result. This type is not commonin landscape work.

Proprietary specifications are those thatdefine a particular product from a particularmanufacturer or supplier. They may beeither “closed” or “open.” Closed meansthere is no alternative for the contractor, butto supply exactly the product called for.Open specifications often use terms such as“comparable,” or “equal.” This allows for asimilar product to be supplied (not the exactone listed), subject to the approval of theowner or his design representative (Figure 2).

A Reference specification is one that refersto another authority that sets standards. Thisavoids the entire standard having to bereproduced in the current specification(Figure 3).

Understanding Drawings

Contract document drawings can be dividedinto two major categories. The first categorycontains views of the project as if it werebeing viewed from high in the sky overhead.These are two-dimensional drawings thatlook like maps and are called plan views.The most important plans in landscape workare the layout, grading and planting plans.(Figures 4, 5, 6)

The second category is composed of two-dimensional drawings that present the projectviewed from the side in a horizontal andvertical dimension. A side view is called anelevation view, a cut-through side view iscalled a section view. Small drawings thatare often section views (but may be planviews) of specific project elements showinghow they are to be constructed are calleddetail drawings. Detail drawings are themost important type of elevations or sectionsin landscape work. (Figure 7)

A third minor category of drawings is madeup of three-dimensional views, calledperspective drawings. They are often usedto communicate design ideas early in thedesign process, but seldom are included incontract documents. When they are it isusually as a detail.

Snapshot:

Snapshot:

•If the “same” information is

contradictory in the Technical

Specifications and Drawings,

the Specifications govern.

12-6

Figure 1. Example of a descriptive technical specification. This entire section is descriptive ofmethods to be used in the planting process.

3.05 PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS

A. Set balled and burlapped stock plumb and in center of pit or trench with top of ballraised above adjacent finish grades as indicated.

1. Place stock on setting layer of compacted planting soil.2. Remove wire baskets from balls and burlap partially from top and sides, but

do not remove burlap from under balls. Remove pallets, if any, before set-ting. Do not use planting stock if ball is cracked or broken before or duringplanting operation. Root flare must be exposed at surface or plant shall berejected. Contractor may carefully shave soil from top of root ball exposingroot flare.

3. Place backfill around ball in layers, tamping to settle backfill and eliminatevoids and air pockets. When pit is approximately 3/4 backfilled, water thor-oughly before placing remainder of backfill. Repeat watering until no moreis absorbed. Water again after placing and tamping final layer of backfill.

B. Set container-grown stock plumb and in center of pit or trench with top of ballraised above adjacent finish grades as indicated.

1. Carefully remove containers so as not to damage root balls.2. Place stock on setting layer of compacted planting soil.3. Place backfill around ball in layers, tamping to settle backfill and eliminate

voids and air pockets. When pit is approximately 3/4 backfilled, water thor-oughly before placing remainder of backfill. Repeat watering until no moreis absorbed. Water again after placing and tamping final layer of backfill.

C. Dish and tamp top of backfill to form a 3 inch (75 mm) high mound around the rimof the pit. Do not cover top of root ball with backfill.

D. Wrap trees of 2 inch (50 mm) caliper and larger with trunk-wrap tape. Start at baseof trunk and spiral cover trunk to height of first branches. Overlap wrap, exposinghalf the width, and securely attach without causing girdling. Inspect tree trunks forinjury, improper pruning, and insect infestation and take corrective measures re-quired before wrapping.

12-7

Figure 2. Example of a proprietary technical specification. The section shown in red conveys tothe contractor the opportunity to use other products with owner approval.

D. Process paint and protective coatings shall be applied in accordance with the followingschedule unless otherwise specified elsewhere. The paint products mentioned inthe following schedule are set up as standards of quality only, and are as manufacturedby Tnemec Company, Inc., North Kansas City, Missouri and The Sherwin-WilliamsCompany, Cleveland Ohio. Comparable paint products, that comply with thespecifications, shall be considered acceptable.

1. COATING SCHEDULE - PROCESS

SURFACE

DESCRIPTION

PRIMER

COATING

NO.

OF

COATS

DRY*

MIL

THICK

FINISH

COATING

NO.

OF

COATS

DRY*

MIL

THICK

REMARKS

1. Concrete -

poured - in-place and

precast

Macropoxy,

B58 Series

1 5.0* Macropoxy,

B58 Series

1 5.0

2. **Masonry -

porous

masonry, cement block

(etc.)

Macropoxy,

B58 Series

1 12.0* Macropoxy,

B58 Series

1 10.0 Prime Coat

spray & roll

finish coat spray

Exterior

masonry above grade with color

not required

DTM

Coating, B66 Series

1

Figure 3. Example of a reference technical specification. The sections shown in red indicate otherauthorities to which to the contractor must refer to find complete information.

2.06 GRASS MATERIALS

A. Sod: Certified turfgrass sod complying with ASPA specifications for machine-cut thick-ness, size, strength, moisture content, and mowed height, and free of weeds and undesirablenative grasses. Provide viable sod of uniform density, color, and texture, strongly rooted,and capable of vigorous growth and development when planted.

B. Seed: Seed mixture “R” as described in Section 621.06 of the 1999 Indiana Department ofTransportation Standard Specifications Section 621.06 (a).

C. Mulch: Mulch method A or B as described in Section 621.05 of the 1999 Indiana Depart-ment of Transportation Standard Specifications, Section 621.05 ©.

12-8

Figure 4. Sample plan view Layout drawing.

12-9

Figure 5. Sample plan view Grading and Drainage drawing.

12-10Figure 6. Sample plan view Planting Plan drawing.

12-11

Figure 7. Sample sheet of Detail drawings.

12-12

Common Elements Found on MostDrawings

Title BlockCommon to all sheets of drawings for aproject is a collection of information called atitle block (Figures 8, 9). It normallycontains:

• sheet name• sheet number or letter/number

combination (this may indicate howmany drawings there are in total in acomplete set, ie. 7 of 10)

• project name• project owner’s name• the design office that prepared the

drawings (name and contactinformation)

• the legal stamp of the designprofessional who did the design (ifrequired by law)

• initials of those who actually preparedthe drawing

• date of drawing preparation• date(s) of revisions

Scale, North Arrow & LegendDrawing sheets typically display the scale atwhich the drawing is made. For orientationon plan drawings, a north arrow is shown,too.(Figures 10, 11) The scale is usuallystated in text and numerals and also showngraphically. In the case of several separatedrawings on a page (such as a sheet con-taining numerous details) there may be sev-eral different scales indicated. Occasionally,a drawing may be labeled with dimensions ofobjects, or no dimensions, but lack precisegraphic accuracy. Such drawings aregenerally indicated as “not to scale.”

A list of symbols used in the drawing andtheir meanings is usually provided, called alegend.(Figures 12, 13) A clearly presentedlegend is essential to understanding the intentof a drawing. Finally, various notes,comments or other text may be shown thathelp clarify or add understandability to thedrawing.

Figure 9. SampleTitle Block,horizontal.

Figure 8. SampleTitle Block, vertical.

12-13

Figure 11. Sample North Arrow with textscale.

Figure 10.Sample NorthArrow withgraphic scale.

Figure 12. Sample Legend from Demolition plan.

Figure 13. Sample Legend from Drainageplan.

12-14

Important Plans

Layout Plan

The layout plan deals with the horizontaldimensions of a site. It shows the preciselocations of proposed site elements inrelation to one or more existing elements, orlocations on, or adjacent to the site.(seeFigure 4, above)

The identification of the existing location orelement as a starting point is fundamentalbecause all dimensions arise from it. It maybe a surveyor’s benchmark, a building wall,the edge of an adjacent pavement, or anyother existing, permanently fixed element.The known point, or starting location fordimensioning must always be clearlyidentified on the drawing. It is alsoimportant to find it on the ground prior toany on-site layout, or staking.

Several methods may be used to showlocations on the plan. The simplest is alinear dimension from a known point to areadily identifiable point (usually a corner,edge, or center point) of a proposed element.The dimensions are often plotted in a dueeast-west, or north-south direction, or may beparallel to an existing edge. Angular shapeswith other than square corners may bedefined by degrees, or as otherwise indicated.(Figure 14)

For curvilinear forms, simple perpendiculardimensions are usually not adequate. Forregular geometric curves such as circulararcs, a center point and radius may be given.(Figure 15) Irregular curves and shapes maybe described by using offsets. These arelinear dimensions plotted perpendicularlyfrom measurable locations along a straightline. (Figure 16)

Dimension lines showing the size of anelement are not normally connected directly

to the element for which they are providingthe dimension. A projection line begins nearthe element being located and projects out toa part of the drawing where clearly legibledimensions can be inserted. Dimension linesare usually solid lines with arrows or slashmarks on each end where they intersect theprojection line. The dimension itself(numerical distance) is written just above thedimension line or the line is broken with thedimension inserted in the space.(Figure 17)

The coordinate, or grid system is acomprehensive method of dimensioning. Itsets up an imaginary rectilinear grid, usually

.

Figure 14. Sample Layout - Dimensionplan with distance and angular information.

Figure 15. Sample Layout - Dimension planwith circular arcs.

12-15

Figure 16. Sample Layout - Dimension plan utilizing offsets.

12-16

with a north-south and east-west orientation.Proposed elements are located based on(X,Y) coordinates on the grid. The X and Yvalues are dimensions from two perpendic-ular base lines. The intersection of the twobase lines is the origin, or (0,0) point on thegrid. You can think of the grid method as if apiece of graph paper was laid over the sitewith, generally, the lower left hand (south-west) corner being the origin.(Figure 18)

Stationing is another system of layout usedfor uniform linear site features such as roads,trails, or utility lines. A centerline is definedand measurements are indicated in 100 footincrements along its length. Layout bystationing requires technical surveyingtechniques and is seldom used in landscapeplanting projects.

In complex projects, a combination of layoutsystems may be used. Overall site layoutmay be based on coordinates, with secondaryor more localized elements located via lineardimensioning, offsets, or center points andradii.

Grading Plan

The grading plan deals with the vertical andhorizontal dimensions of a site; that is theshape of the land surface. This is commonlyreferred to as topography. The plan shows thelocation of proposed site elements and thevertical form (elevation) of all the land surfacesrelative to a fixed point of known elevation.(see Figure 5, pg 12-9)

Just as with layout dimensions, elevations areexpressed relative to a known point. Ingrading, it is a point of defined elevation. Thisknown point is called a reference point, datumor benchmark.(Figure 19) It may be apermanently constructed element just for thepurpose of defining elevation (a brass plate inconcrete set in the ground) or it may be assimple as a corner of a pavement or curb. Itshould be clearly called out on the grading planand readily identifiable on the site. Allelevations, or grades, on the site are figuredrelative to the elevation of the benchmark.

Elevations, or topography are shown on agrading plan either with topographic lines or asindividual points. Often, both are used on thesame plan. Topographic lines are lines thatconnect points of equal elevation at evenintervals above the reference point or datum.In landscape work, one foot is the mostcommon topographic interval. Thus, there is aline for each one foot of elevation. Individualpoints are called out by their precise elevation,usually to an accuracy of one one-hundredth ofa foot. These are called spot elevations.(Figure 20)

Grading involves making changes to anexisting land surface resulting in an alteredone. That may mean raising the grade orelevation (a fill) or lowering the grade orelevation (a cut). To show the necessarychanges and illustrate how much soil must beadded or removed, both existing and proposedtopography is shown on a grading plan.

Figure 17. Dimension lines and distances.

12-17

Figure 18. Sample Layout - Dimension plan utilizing a grid with baselines A & B.

12-18

Figure 19. Example of Benchmark on grading plan drawing.

Figure 20. Example of spot elevations on grading plan drawing.

12-19

Typically, existing topography is shown bybroken or dashed lines, while proposedtopographic lines are solid. The elevation ofeach line is written next to the line, andalways on the high, or “uphill” side. It iswritten so that the reader is looking up theslope when reading the elevation of the line.

Similarly, spot elevations are indicated asexisting or proposed. Both are shown asnumbers adjacent to a cross symbol (+)indicating the precise location of theelevation. A commonly used graphictechnique shows a proposed spot elevationvalue in a box, while an existing spotelevation value has no box around it.

Planting Plan

The planting plan shows all the plants thatare to be installed on a project. Symbols areused to represent different types of plants.Locations are shown in the manner of alayout drawing, but dimensions are omitted.The plant list, a table summarizinginformation for all the plants shown on theplan, is typically presented on the sheet withthe planting plan drawing.(see Figure 6,above)

Many graphic symbols and devices are usedto represent plants on a planting plan.Symbol size is usually representative of thesize the plant will reach after several years inthe landscape, not fully mature size. Largeand medium-size plants are shownindividually, while small plants used to createa mass effect are often shown as a uniformmass or group. A graphic texture may beused to define such an area. When massplanting areas are illustrated, informationmust be supplied for plant spacing andarrangement (rectangular grid, triangulargrid, etc.) within the mass. Figure 21 showssome examples of symbols used to illustrateplants.

Individual plantsymbolsusually have across, a dot oran “x” symbolin the centerindicating theactual locationof the plantcrown or mainstem. Theyshould beprecise enoughto allow theplant installerto use anappropriateruler (architect’s or engineer’s scale) tomeasure the correct location for each plantfrom the drawing. A symbol on a plantingplan in a contract document set should neverbe so “artsy” that the precise intendedplanting location is obscured.

Labeling on a planting plan should be verythorough! There should be no guessing as towhich plants are which. Every plant shouldhave a label (either the plant name or codethat relates to the plant list) attached to itdirectly, or it should be graphically connectedto other similar plants in a group with thegroup clearly labeled. The best labels arethose that indicate the quantity of plantscovered by that specific label, as well as theplant name.

The plant list is a complete table ofinformation about all the plants representedon the planting plan drawing.(Figure 22) Forevery type and size of plant used in thedesign, it gives a complete, accuratescientific name in correct form with thequantity, plant size and root conditionrequired. A common name for each plant isgenerally included, too, although primary useshould be made of the scientific name. Theremay be notes or comments about certainplants included in the plant list to furtherexplain the design intent.

Figure 21. Some typicalsymbols used on plantingplans.

12-20

Complex projects with little room forlabeling on the plan may require that acoding system be used to relate the plants onthe plant list to the labels on the drawing.Such coding may be necessary, but is usuallydifficult to use. Extra care should beexercised when reading planting plansemploying a code system.

Plant quantities shown on the planting plan,taken together, should match the total of thesame plants listed on the plant list. However,such is not always the case. Mistakeshappen. It is generally held that the numberof plants shown on the drawing is the correctone and is the actual number implied in thecontract. Thus, it is not enough for acontractor to look only at the plant list whenpreparing a cost estimate, ordering stock, orwhen pulling plants to bring to a job site.The drawing itself must be studied.

Detail Drawings

A detail drawing is a way of communicating

how to install or build something when suchcommunication is most successfullyaccomplished using a picture rather than text.A detail is drawn at a scale that allows everydetail of construction or planting to be fullyillustrated. Details are often cross sectionviews (Figure 23) but may be “blow-ups” ofplan views, too. (Figure 24) Elevationdrawings are occasionally used in details(Figure 25) as are, rarely, perspectiveviews.(Figure 26) Multiple detail drawingsare generally presented on one sheet, or maybe added in available space on plan viewsheets. (see Figure 7, above) Often plantingdetails are included on the planting plandrawing. (see Figure 6, above)

Summary

Contract documents are a means for ownersand designers to communicate with thosewho actually build, plant and createlandscapes. Knowing where to find and howto read and interpret information in contractdocument sets is fundamental for thesuccessful landscape industry professional.

Snapshot:

Snapshot:

•On a Planting Plan Drawing, the

number of plants actually drawn

governs over the number listed

on the Plant List.

Figure 22. A typical Plant List from a plantingplan drawing.

12-21

Figure 23. Sample cross-section details.

12-22

Figure 24. Sample plan view details.

Figure 25. Sample elevation detail.

12-23

Figure 26. Sample perspective detail.

12-24

Review & Study Questions

1. Why are drawings and specifications called Contract Documents? Who are the parties to thecontract?

2. There are many documents contained in a set of Specifications. Which three documents aremost directly related to the work done by those who build the landscape and install theplants?

3. What are the characteristics of a good, well-prepared set of Technical Specification?

4. What are the sections in the standard format for Technical Specifications?

5. What are the four basic types of Technical Specifications? Which is most commonly used?

6. What are the two major categories of drawings used in contract documents? Which typelooks like a map?

7. Where on a drawing would you look to find the name of the design firm that prepared thedrawing?

8. What is the purpose of the Layout Plan?

9. What is the purpose of the Grading Plan?

10. What is the purpose of the Planting Plan?

11. What are the commonly used methods for indicating the locations of elements on a LayoutPlan? Describe each.

12. To understand the existing and proposed elevations on a grading plan, you begin by locatingand measuring from what?

13. What are the common graphic conventions used in grading plans for existing and proposedtopography and spot elevations?

14. Where is the plant list for a project usually found?

15. What information is typically provided on the plant list?

16. Two situations can arise in contract documents for landscape work in which the “same”information is provided, but that information is in conflict with itself. What are thosesituations? In each case, which information location is deemed to be “correct” or as intendedby the project owner?

12-25

For Additional Reading

Poage, W. 1991. The Building Professional’s Guide to Contract Documents, 3rd. ed.. R. S.Means, Kingston, MA.

Collier, K. 2001. Construction Contracts, 3rd. ed. Prentice Hall, New York.

Carpenter, P. & T. Walker. 1990. Plants in the Landscape. Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, IL.

O’Brien, J. 1998. Construction Change Orders: Impact, Avoidance, and Documentation.McGraw-Hill Professional, New York.

Harris, C. with N. Dines & K. Brown (eds.). 1997. Time-Saver Standards for LandscapeArchitecture, 2nd. Ed. McGraw-Hill Professional; New York.

2000. Landscape Specification Guidelines, 5th Ed. Landscape Contractors Association of MD,DC, VA

Websites of Interest

http://www.vsld.org/StandardizedLandscapeSpecs.doc.(standardized landscape specifications for the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA)

http://www.arcomnet.com/visitor/masterspec/libraries/land.html(The MASTERSPEC Landscape Architecture Library)

http://www.sustland.umn.edu/index.html(Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series - Univ. of Minnesota)

http://www.sustland.umn.edu/design/plan.htm(SULIS plan module)