What a canopy build drawing contains (and what it does not)
Updated 26 October 2026 · 5 min read
A good build drawing shows what you are building, how it fits together and what you need to buy and cut. That lets you start with confidence. What a drawing is not: a structural calculation or a permit. Those are separate things, and it helps not to mix them up.
What belongs in a good build drawing?
A usable DIY plan includes at least the following parts.
- Floor plan: the dimensions of the structure, the position of the posts and the distance to the boundary and the house.
- Elevations: views of the front, back and sides with heights, eaves height and roof pitch.
- Section at 1:50: a vertical cut through the structure. It shows the build-up of foundation, post, beam, purlin and roof, with dimensions.
- Detail drawings: the joints where it counts: post base, post-to-beam connection, purlin connection, roof edge and drainage.
- Materials list: everything you need, with quantities, dimensions and type of material.
- Cut list: for each part, the length to cut, so you generate little waste.
- Build instructions: a logical order of work, from setting out to finishing.
Why a section at 1:50?
At 1:50, 1 cm on paper equals 50 cm in reality. That is large enough to read the main layers and dimensions, such as post height, position of purlins and roof build-up. For details like a post base or a joint you use a larger scale.
Materials list and cut list
The materials list keeps you from going to the DIY store with a vague note. A good list contains:
| Item | What it states |
|---|---|
| Timber | dimension (e.g. 90×90 mm), type, quantity, length |
| Roof sheet | type, thickness, size, quantity |
| Fixings | type, size, quantity |
| Foundation | type and number of footings or piles |
| Drainage | gutter, downpipe, corners |
The cut list then tells you how to get the lengths out of standard sizes. That saves waste, money and mistakes.
What a drawing is not
Note: a plan or drawing from a website is not a structural calculation and not a permit.
- Not a structural calculation. A calculation shows that the structure can handle snow and wind loads. In the Netherlands the characteristic snow load is about 0.7 kN/m², and wind depends on the location. If a permit is required, it comes with a calculation by a structural engineer (constructeur).
- Not a permit. A drawing contains no consent. Whether you need an omgevingsvergunning is determined via the Omgevingsloket and your municipality. Read the main rules in permit for a canopy or garden house.
- Not tailored to your plot. Soil type, distance to the boundary, pipes and local rules can differ. The drawing is a generic design that you apply to your situation.
- Not a substitute for common sense. Anyone lifting heavy glass or working at height must take extra care for safety.
Hofplan is working on a Permit package in which a partner structural engineer can produce the calculation. That is still being prepared.
What to look for in a plan you buy
- Do the dimensions match your spot, including height and distance to the boundary?
- Is the materials list complete, including fixings and foundation?
- Are the joints drawn out, not just the overall shape?
- Is there a clear build order?
- Does it honestly explain what the plan does not cover?
A drawing as a basis for conversation
A build drawing is also handy when you talk to a contractor, a supplier or your neighbours. You show what you want to build and can ask targeted questions or request a quote. See also neighbours and boundaries.
What next?
Design your structure in the 3D configurator and see what ends up in the plan. In the catalogue you find ready-made plans, from €49 (being prepared); a custom plan for your own plot starts from €149. All prices are indicative. More about what building costs is in what drives the cost, and the rates are on pricing.