How to Read Blueprints
Learn how to understand, navigate, and use residential blueprints from professional builder Jordan Smith.
- 30-day money back guarantee.
- Spanish subtitles available.
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Lesson Plan
9 Video Lessons · 2H 9M
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1. Course Overview
A blueprint is the fundamental plan for the construction of any structure. In this lesson, Jordan provides a basic overview of the class, outlining the objectives and skills mastered in this online course.
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2. Scales & Measurement
Using a simple plan for the shed in his backyard as a guide, Jordan shares how to use an architect's ruler to make reading scales easy.
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3. Title Sheets & Site Plans
A title sheet gives you information about the property, a building's location on that property, the team involved in the project, and how to navigate the whole set of residential blueprints.
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4. Floor Plans
Part of the architectural drawings within your set of residential blueprints, the floor plans provide a bird's eye view of the interior plan for a house.
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5. Elevations & Sectional Views
Elevations and sections are two-dimensional views of the vertical interior and exterior surfaces of a house.
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6. Details & Schedules
Rounding out the architectural drawings within your set of residential blueprints, details are just what they sound like: specific looks at detailed components of the building. Schedules are tables that help you accurately order and use doors, windows, and more.
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7. Structural Drawings
Structural drawings show how the design for a building can maintain the structural integrity of the home in normal and hazardous weather conditions. Jordan shows you how to understand the key components of a house's structure from the perspective of a builder and an engineer.
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8. Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP)
No modern home is complete without the systems that make it function: HVAC (mechanical), electrical, and plumbing. As a builder or framer, it’s important to know where those systems will be routed so you can leave space for them to be laid in. Learn how.
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9. Putting It All Together
Learn how to put what you've learned to practice by reading a title page and navigating a complete set of residential blueprints.
Who it's for: This course is for those beginning in the trades, or anyone who wants to brush up on reading blueprints.
Key Topics
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How to use architect’s ruler
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How to read site and floor plans
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How to read elevations and sections
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How to read details and schedules
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How to read structural drawings
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How to read mep drawings
5 stars
Overall rating of 74 students
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5 out of 5
Nate M.,
Feb 23, 2021
Was extremely helpful to someone who is starting out reading blue prints! Hands on...
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5 out of 5
Adam C.,
Dec 08, 2020
Very well organized and clear !
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5 out of 5
Zachary G.,
Feb 09, 2021
Very thorough, clear, and understandable explanation of how to read blueprints.
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5 out of 5
Lorenzo T.,
Oct 29, 2020
Very informative and well taught.
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5 out of 5
Alisha V.,
Dec 15, 2020
Very informational to beginners
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5 out of 5
Robert M.,
Dec 28, 2020
very helpful
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5 out of 5
Brent A.,
Aug 31, 2020
Very educational for a me as a novice when it comes to construction and blueprints.
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5 out of 5
Ramon P.,
Feb 12, 2021
Very detailed.
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5 out of 5
Ryan A.,
Jan 02, 2021
This course provides a great foundation for someone who has never looked at prints and wants...
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5 out of 5
Stephen R.,
Jul 02, 2020
This class was broken down and made very simple
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5 out of 5
Jorge M.,
Oct 25, 2020
The reason I will recommend this class is because Jordan explained in a way that I was able to...
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5 out of 5
Christopher B.,
Feb 18, 2021
The information Jordan delivers is communicated with expressed passion to the listener. His...
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5 out of 5
Stephen K.,
Mar 07, 2021
The handouts along with the speaker pointing out details that were on them were very helpful....
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5 out of 5
Brian M.,
Jan 14, 2021
The course explained "the why" to blueprints, which is much better than trying to read them...
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5 out of 5
Eduardo V.,
Dec 31, 2020
The class is well put together and hits on all the little things that most of my past...
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5 out of 5
Billy T.,
Feb 12, 2021
The class is simple and easy to understand
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5 out of 5
Phil L.,
Jan 28, 2021
Precise, to the point. Accurate and clear. Very useful, and great presentation. ...
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5 out of 5
Justin s.,
Feb 26, 2021
liked how he goes step through step through the plans
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5 out of 5
Robert S.,
Jan 13, 2021
Josh was excellent. He explained things in a way that was understandable
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5 out of 5
Robert M.,
Jan 27, 2021
Jordan did a stellar job communicating the details and in/outs of blueprints very effectively....
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5 out of 5
Sarah E.,
Jul 14, 2020
Its very educative and practical
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5 out of 5
Paul T.,
Feb 12, 2021
It's straightforward and realistic.
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5 out of 5
Polo r.,
Jan 12, 2021
It's a good introducion about bluprints.
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5 out of 5
Robert C.,
Feb 12, 2021
It was organized well and was very informative
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5 out of 5
Kathy J.,
Sep 22, 2020
It is very thorough and in depth
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5 out of 5
Danis A.,
Oct 03, 2020
It is really simple and easy
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5 out of 5
Salvatore M.,
Mar 06, 2021
I would recommend this course due to the excellent explanation on how to read residential blue...
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5 out of 5
Andrew T.,
Mar 06, 2021
I would recommend this course because I felt like it was the right amount of information...
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5 out of 5
Ronald B.,
Feb 15, 2021
I would recommend this class . The simplicity and his ability to describe in detail what he is...
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5 out of 5
Josh D.,
Feb 11, 2021
I would most definitely recommend this course to business colleagues as well as friends,...
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5 out of 5
Jason R.,
Feb 26, 2021
I would definitely recommend this to a friend actually already did. I am in the construction...
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5 out of 5
Lizabeth H.,
Jun 26, 2020
I really enjoy learning how to read blueprints. It was a great beginner course. I do wish you...
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5 out of 5
Chris S.,
Jan 05, 2021
I learned
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5 out of 5
Marlon O.,
Sep 16, 2020
I am a general building contractor that just started. I think these lessons are great because...
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5 out of 5
Brian w.,
Jan 10, 2021
Helpful
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5 out of 5
joseph .,
Jan 14, 2021
Great class to showcase what reading blueprints is like
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5 out of 5
Everardo R.,
Feb 23, 2021
Ggg
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5 out of 5
Felicity M.,
Jan 05, 2021
Fast, Simple, & Easy to Follow Along with. I would Definitely Recommend this Class to all my...
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5 out of 5
Muhammad A.,
Dec 31, 2020
everything explain is good i like it
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5 out of 5
Calvin s.,
Feb 18, 2021
easy to understand, id work for his company in a heartbeat
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5 out of 5
Sergio C.,
Feb 23, 2021
Easy to navigate. Instructor was well organized explaining videos and navigating blue print.
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5 out of 5
Joseph .,
Oct 27, 2020
Concise, good information
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5 out of 5
Walter N.,
Jun 13, 2020
The quality of the course and the price is great comparing to other internet advertised course.
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4 out of 5
Jeremy K.,
Feb 20, 2021
Would recommend this to anyone looking to gain a basic, but not in-depth, understanding of...
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4 out of 5
Heather H.,
Dec 10, 2020
Very informative. I would definitely recommend this.
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4 out of 5
Chris F.,
Sep 15, 2020
Very informative and not over loading for a beginner blueprint reader.
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4 out of 5
Huiyu L.,
Jan 31, 2021
Very friendly, clear and easy to comprehend.
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4 out of 5
Sanjil K.,
Oct 28, 2020
This was a great class. i would recommend it.
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4 out of 5
Jon C.,
Jan 06, 2021
Long maybe some different plans for ground utilities.
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4 out of 5
Paul K.,
Mar 09, 2021
Jordan did a good job explaining blueprints in a simple manner. He was approachable in the...
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4 out of 5
Zaza C.,
Dec 03, 2020
Its over priced for the amount of information available
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4 out of 5
Nathan N.,
Oct 07, 2020
It's very informative but as a drywaller and insulator and fininsher and painter there is no...
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4 out of 5
Brian S.,
Sep 02, 2020
It's a great start to understanding the basics.
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4 out of 5
Katrina A.,
Jul 15, 2020
It's a good class
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4 out of 5
Hayden J.,
Dec 04, 2020
It was a great overview of the basics in how to read and interpret a set of plans.
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4 out of 5
Gina C.,
Jan 18, 2021
It is very informative
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4 out of 5
Elgin C.,
Jan 27, 2021
It a good course to give you a good understanding of blue prints
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4 out of 5
Eloy I.,
Jan 20, 2021
I would recommend to someone who is looking for a great basis on blueprint reading. I felt...
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4 out of 5
Robert M.,
Jan 04, 2021
i would recommend this not many people know how to read blueprints
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4 out of 5
Josã© Q.,
Nov 08, 2020
I would recommend this course because you learn at your own pace also because you can watch...
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4 out of 5
Bob P.,
Dec 23, 2020
I would recommend this class to a friend who is wanting to get into the construction field and...
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4 out of 5
Andrew J.,
Jan 07, 2021
I would recommend this class because of the simple and direct explanation of the general...
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4 out of 5
Dominick C.,
Jan 01, 2021
I would reccomend because I feel like i really did get a foundation of basic understanding of...
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4 out of 5
Colby G.,
Mar 01, 2021
I think it is good for entry level blueprint reading and would recommend
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4 out of 5
Michael S.,
Mar 09, 2021
I think it is a good starting block for someone interested in joining the construction trades.
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4 out of 5
Ryan D.,
Jan 04, 2021
Great knowledge of plans for a beginner
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4 out of 5
Erik R.,
Oct 27, 2020
Easy to follow and well laid out lessons
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4 out of 5
Sara K.,
Jul 26, 2020
Because its very educational and interesting.
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3 out of 5
Jonathan m.,
Feb 24, 2021
Too short of a class. Not as in depth as I expected
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3 out of 5
Eric R.,
Aug 16, 2020
There is helpful information in the lesson plan and its priced fair
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3 out of 5
William L.,
Mar 09, 2021
I would recommend to friend but my knowledge in the area if very minimal
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3 out of 5
Edward H.,
Oct 30, 2020
I think you as a instructor are very knowledgeable the way you explained it was easy to...
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3 out of 5
Drandy Y.,
Oct 29, 2020
Enjoyed the videos
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3 out of 5
Courtenay G.,
Nov 19, 2020
Clear, concise, kind. Please consider pronouns when speaking of the trades in general and...
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Jordan Smith
CEO of Smith House Company
Your Instructor
Jordan Smith is the CEO and Founder of Smith House Company, a design+build firm based in Austin, Texas. He learned to build and weld while working on the farm with his grandad, and after earning a degree in Welding and Materials Engineering, he spent the next 10 years working in the heavy construction building everything from robots to ships to offshore oil rigs before transitioning to residential construction. After spending a couple of years working with industry leading builders in Austin, Jordan and his wife Veronica struck out on their own to form Smith House Co.
Smith House Co. strives to build more beautiful, functional and resilient spaces which are self sustaining and harmonize with their natural surroundings.
Pricing
Pick the plan that's right for you, or your entire team.
$75
USD
One time payment
- 9 professional video lessons covering blueprint fundamentals
- Resources and assessments
- Unlimited access anytime, anywhere
You will receive a link to the course onsite and via email once your purchase is complete.
30-day money back guarantee
$65
USD
Per student for teams of 6 or more
- 9 professional video lessons covering blueprint fundamentals
- Resources and assessments
- Admin dashboard to review progress
- Unlimited access anytime, anywhere
- Discounted access to more building courses
Each student receives a link to the course via email once your purchase is complete.
30-day money back guarantee
Common Questions
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What is Copeland?
Copeland helps you further your career in the building industry with expert-led online education that will make you a better, smarter tradesperson.
Our training courses give you a foundation in construction fundamentals and trade skills with real-world applications and best practices to help you grow on the job. -
What do courses include?
Online courses include professionally produced videos taught by leaders in the trades and supplementary learning material such as quizzes, assessments and downloadable materials to help you acquire new skills. Watch anywhere, always at your own pace. We keep lesson videos short so they’re easy to watch after work or on your lunch break. You can finish a course in one sitting, or space it out over a week or two.
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How does the 30-day guarantee work?
If you’re not happy with a course, let us know within 30 days for a full refund. Our goal is to provide maximum value for your career. If we haven’t delivered on that promise, let us know.
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Can international students take Copeland courses?
Students can take Copeland courses from anywhere in the world. Our courses are online, so if you have access to the Internet, you can watch our training videos. Courses are taught in English, with English captions and Spanish subtitles available.
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Where did the name Copeland come from?
Copeland was named after a legendary educator who promoted the idea that training in a specific trade paired with a knowledge of general business principles opens up a whole new world of career possibilities. We believe in the same powerful combination of skills and knowledge.