How Plan Check Responses Work Without AI
See how AI changes plan check response writing for architects: from 4 to 8 hours per correction letter to under 30 minutes.
Manual
4 to 8 hours per correction letter
With TrussNote
Under 30 minutes
Why this comparison matters
Plan check corrections are not optional, they are not negotiable, and every week they sit unanswered is a week the project schedule slips. The manual response process is slow because each comment requires independent code lookup, and the drafting has to be precise enough that the plan checker can verify compliance without doing additional research. Most response letters take a full day to write properly.
Step-by-step comparison
Same task. Different workflows.
The manual way
With TrussNote
Read and categorize corrections
Read the full correction letter. Group related comments. Identify which code sections are being cited. Note which comments require drawing changes vs. clarification only.
Read and categorize corrections
Upload the correction letter. TrussNote reads and categorizes all comments, identifies the underlying code sections, and flags which require drawing changes.
Look up code sections
For each comment, open the applicable code (IBC, CBC, local amendments, fire code, energy code) and find the relevant section. Verify the code edition the jurisdiction is using. This step can take 1 to 2 hours for a complex letter.
Look up code sections
Code sections are identified and pulled automatically for each comment. The response cites the same code edition the plan checker used.
Draft responses
For each comment: write an acknowledgment, cite the code section, describe the drawing change made or explain why the drawings already comply. Reference the sheet number and detail number.
Draft responses
A full response is drafted for each comment: acknowledgment, code citation, description of the change or compliance argument, and sheet reference.
Compile the response package
Organize responses into a response matrix. Write a resubmittal cover letter. Coordinate with the project team to confirm all drawing changes have been made before submitting.
Compile the response package
The complete response matrix and resubmittal cover letter are generated. The response package is ready to review, adjust, and submit.
What you end up with
Manual approach
- Response letter written from scratch for each comment
- Code lookups done manually per comment
- Response quality dependent on drafter experience
- No automatic response matrix
With TrussNote
- Complete response matrix with code citations
- Resubmittal cover letter included
- Sheet and detail references for every response
- Consistent response format across all comments
Try City Comments on a real project
Start a free trial and run this workflow through TrussNote today. No credit card required.