3 Things You Need to Know About As-Built Drawings

A picture is worth a thousand words, and as-built drawings are no different. As-built drawings are realistic blueprints of a facility’s construction and are the key to receiving a building permit. But what about these detailed sketches make them so integral to the permit application process, and what cutting-edge technology does UNIQ Dimensions use to create these drawings?

Source: UNIQ Dimensions: Transformative Architectural Drafting Services

What Are As-Built Drawings?

As-built drawings are documents that capture the true state of a construction project as it was completed by the builder, reflecting any modifications or adjustments made during the process. Unlike original blueprints or construction drawings, as-built drawings offer a detailed, accurate representation of the finished product, providing a valuable reference for future renovations, maintenance, or construction projects.‍

‍These drawings are a compare-and-contrast tool highlighting the differences between the initial design specifications and the completed project. For project stakeholders—such as developers, designers, architects, and construction managers—these discrepancies are essential to understand, as they impact any redesign or renovation work on the facility.‍

‍Adjustments are often necessary throughout the building process due to unforeseen circumstances like site conditions, material changes, or design modifications. As-built drawings detail these changes, showing the precise measurements, locations, and dimensions of structural components, lighting fixtures, and other elements. This documentation includes everything from significant structural changes to minor updates, like shifting the position of electrical outlets or rerouting plumbing.‍

‍Additionally, as-built drawings serve beyond just the construction phase. Building owners, facilities managers, and government agencies use them to keep an up-to-date record of the building's conditions, making them an invaluable resource for future projects. Accurate as-built drawings ensure that everyone—from contractors to architects—remains in agreement, facilitating efficient project management and helping to save money by avoiding costly mistakes in future work.

How to Create As-Built Drawings

Creating accurate as-built drawings is a process that requires careful documentation throughout the construction project. Here are the unique steps involved in developing high-quality as-built drawings:

• Data Collection Throughout the Construction Process. During the construction phase, ongoing data collection is crucial. All changes from the original plans—such as adjustments to structural components, dimensions, or fixtures—are documented to depict the completed project accurately.
• Redline Markups and Detailed Notes. Redline drawings highlight changes made during construction. Contractors note deviations from the original plans, providing essential detailed notes that form the basis of the final as-built documentation.
• Updating Record Drawings. Record drawings are continuously updated to reflect modifications. They are a reference for all project stakeholders, like architects and contractors, to ensure everyone remains aligned throughout the construction process.
• Finalizing As-Built Drawings. The collected data and redline markups are integrated into the final as-built drawings, clearly and accurately representing the building's exact dimensions and layout. This step ensures the drawings meet industry standards and project needs.
• Review and Verification with Stakeholders. A thorough review with stakeholders, including the project architect and building owners, ensures the accuracy of the as-built drawings. This verification step is vital for creating a reliable resource for future projects.
• Submission of Completed Drawings. The finalized as-built drawings are submitted to relevant parties, such as building owners, and they serve as essential documents for building permits, future renovations, and efficient facility management.

These steps ensure that as-built drawings are precise and valuable tools for stakeholders, contributing to a project's efficient and successful completion. As-built drawings provide a comprehensive and detailed account of any particular job, allowing for accurate representation and better planning for the future.

What Makes As-Built Drawings So Important?

‘As-builts’ are required for any construction project that requires a history or legacy of the construction of a building or facility. This is especially important for the permit process, land ownership, renovations, public works, and the transition of employees and managers throughout the building process. ‘As-builts’ provide reference points for any changes, adjustments, or replacements that need to occur on the property. These are just a couple of reasons why 'as-builts' can be integral for building permits:‍

• They streamline the hiring process. As-built drawings record the various changes and specifications made during the building process and help any new employees get on the same page right away.
• Good 'as-built' drawings get permits. Government agencies request 'as-builts' to provide building permits. A well-done, detailed, as-built drawing with all modifications recorded is guaranteed to quicken your permit application process and get you started on your project.
• They make renovations easy. ‘As-builts’ provide a detailed history and account of all facility modifications, allowing property owners, designers, and architects to know exactly what was built without investing time and resources.

Detailed and reliable ‘as-builts’ don't just benefit property owners or those applying for permits from government agencies. They also make the work of the designers and architects, making the renovations that much easier! High-quality ‘as-builts’ result in smooth, seamless, and simple project experiences for all parties involved.

What Makes Our 'As-Built' Drawings Stand Out?

Today, many ‘as-builts’ lack the data, documentation, and detail necessary for them to be genuinely reliable and informative enough to receive a building permit. That is where we step in. Quality in as-built drawings is essential, and our cutting-edge 3D laser scanning technology (which is changing the field of architecture) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) technique create as-built drawings that allow for accurate and detailed visualization of existing facilities and the modifications made.

Our ‘as-builts’ are leading in the architectural industry because of our advanced laser technology, which accurately captures and displays every structure in a facility through each stage of the renovation, modification, or construction process. Combined with our mobile CAD system, this technique allows for minimal client disruption and quick production of detailed and accurate floor plans.

With our services, you will never need to worry about discrepancies, miscommunication, or being out of sync at any step of the renovation process again. Apply for permits with confidence and ease, knowing that you have reliable ‘as-builts’ up your sleeve.

‍Request a free quote here and experience the UNIQ Approach.