A Complete Guide to As-built Drawings

The design and construction of buildings are not linear processes. The initial design and what is delivered goes through countless iterations before you see the design come to life. How do you think the contractors, architects, and designers keep up with the changes done during the construction process?

That’s where you need the magic of as-built drawings.

The changes made during the construction process that deviate from the initial design are documented in the as-built drawing.

In short, it shows the building’s design as it looks after completion, with all the changes.

Today’s guide will cover everything you need about the As-built drawings.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Content

• Why do we need As-built drawings?
• How Do As-Built Drawings Help?
• Components of As-Built Drawings
• How Modifications are Represented in As-Built Drawings
• How Are As-Built Drawings Created?
• Importance of As-Built Drawings for Homeowners
• Best Practices for Creating As-Built Drawings
• Conclusion

Why do we need As-built drawings?

The reason for changing the original plan of action can vary depending on the project’s complexity, duration, and resources. Here are the two most common reasons –

Value engineering is a systematic method for improving a project’s value by optimizing cost and function. For instance, alternative materials or construction techniques may become preferable due to availability, cost-effectiveness, or performance enhancements. These substitutions ensure better quality or efficiency while staying within the project’s scope and budget.

Deferred Submittals – Deferred submittals refer to modifications made to architectural plans after the initial permit application phase. These changes often address elements that require additional detailing or reevaluation during construction, such as structural components, building systems, or aesthetic enhancements. Deferred submittals are critical for ensuring compliance with building codes and evolving project needs.

Both value engineering and deferred submittals are meticulously documented through as-built drawings, change orders, and construction change directives, providing an accurate record of the adjustments made during the building process. This ensures transparency, compliance, and effective communication among stakeholders.

>How Do As-Built Drawings Help?

As-built drawings are invaluable tools for capturing the current state of a building after construction, reflecting any changes made during the construction process. They serve multiple purposes, including:

1. 1. Renovations and Rebuilding-

During renovations or rebuilding, as-built drawings act as a reference point, ensuring that any modifications align with the building’s existing structure. They help contractors and architects understand the precise layout, saving time and reducing errors.

1. 1. Demolition Planning-

When a building needs to be demolished, as-built drawings are crucial for mapping out utilities, structural components, and potential hazards, ensuring a safe and efficient demolition process.

1. 1. Insurance Claims-

As-built drawings are often required for insurance claims to provide evidence of the building’s original state and subsequent changes, aiding in accurate evaluations.

1. 1. Property Transactions-

These drawings facilitate the process of selling and reselling properties by providing detailed documentation of the structure, which can influence property valuations.

1. 1. Resolving Legal Issues-

As-built drawings are a factual record of the building’s layout and modifications. In legal disputes, they help resolve issues related to boundaries, encroachments, or construction defects.

Components of As-Built Drawings

1. 1. Building Layout and Structure-

As-built drawings document the overall layout, including floor plans, elevations, and key structural components such as columns, beams, windows, walls, and water and sewer systems.

1. 1. Design Features-

These drawings capture architectural details, including doors, windows, openings, and lighting fixtures, ensuring that aesthetic and functional elements are well-documented.

1. 1. Mechanical Systems-

They provide detailed schematics of mechanical systems, such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), plumbing, and electrical systems, which are essential for maintenance and future upgrades.

1. 1. Utilities-

Utility information, including water lines, gas lines, drainage systems, and electrical conduits, is carefully marked in the as-built drawings to ensure clear identification for future use.

1. 1. Site Details-

These include landscaping features, parking lots, pathways, and boundary lines, giving a complete picture of the building’s external environment.

1. 1. Revisions and Modifications-

Every change made during the construction process, including adjustments to dimensions, materials, and systems, is documented. This helps maintain an accurate and up-to-date record.

How Modifications are Represented in As-Built Drawings

Modifications and changes made to the building during construction or after completion are represented in as-built drawings using the following methods:-

1. 1. Revision Clouds-

Revision clouds are freehand, cloud-shaped outlines drawn around the areas where modifications have been made.
They help draw immediate attention to specific changes between the original and updated drawings, making it easier for stakeholders to review the alterations.

1. 1. Annotations-

Annotations accompany the revision clouds and provide detailed descriptions of the changes.
They include information such as the modification date, a description of the change, and any additional notes to clarify the updates.

1. 1. Revision Blocks-

Revision blocks are organized sections placed alongside the drawings, typically in the title block area.
These blocks include detailed information about the changes, such as the revision number, date, reference number, and a brief explanation of what was altered.

How Are As-Built Drawings Created?

As-built drawings are generally created after significant changes or updates occur during construction. The steps involved are as follows:

1. 1. Request for As-Built Drawings:

These drawings are typically requested when deferred submittals, updated information, or changes in the scope of work due to unforeseen conditions are needed.

1. 1. Change Orders:

When a change order is issued, indicating a revision to the project scope, the details of these changes are documented.
As-built drawings are updated to reflect the exact layout, dimensions, or materials modifications.

1. 1. Field Verification:

On-site verification is carried out to ensure that the changes have been correctly implemented and match the updates made in the drawings.

1. 1. Integration of Updates:

The information collected from change orders, field verification, and contractor notes is incorporated into the original design to record the final structure accurately.

Importance of As-Built Drawings for Homeowners

While as-built drawings are essential for architects, contractors, engineers, and designers; they are equally critical for homeowners. These drawings serve multiple purposes:-

1. 1. Getting Tenants:

Homeowners renting out their property can use as-built drawings to showcase the layout, dimensions, and structural details to potential tenants, ensuring transparency and aiding decision-making.

1. 1. Property Maintenance and Renovations:

As-built drawings help homeowners plan renovations or upgrades efficiently.
These drawings provide precise information about the location of plumbing, electrical lines, and structural components, reducing the risk of accidental damage during modifications.

1. 1. Selling the Property:

When selling a property, as-built drawings offer prospective buyers a clear understanding of the structure and layout, increasing the property’s value and credibility.
They also serve as a legal record, ensuring compliance with local building codes and regulations.

1. 1. Insurance Claims:

In the event of damage due to natural disasters or other incidents, as-built drawings are crucial for filing accurate insurance claims. They provide a detailed record of the property’s condition and layout, ensuring fair evaluations.

1. 1. Legal and Boundary Disputes:

As-built drawings can be used to resolve disputes regarding property boundaries or encroachments by providing precise and up-to-date records of the building and its surroundings.

1. 1. Future Construction or Demolition:

These drawings act as a reference point for future projects, such as adding extensions, building additional structures, or demolishing parts of the building.

1. 1. Utility Management:

As-built drawings indicate the exact location of utility lines, such as water pipes, gas lines, and electrical wiring, making it easier for homeowners to manage maintenance and repairs.

1. 1. Customization and Aesthetic Upgrades:

Homeowners looking to personalize their living spaces can use as-built drawings to understand the building’s constraints and possibilities, enabling better planning for aesthetic upgrades.

1. 1. Documentation for Heritage Buildings:

For older homes or heritage properties, as-built drawings help preserve the structure’s original details while planning modern interventions or restorations.

Did you know? 

Did you know that more than 30 types of architectural drawings contribute to the overall construction process? Each drawing is essential. For instance, the MEPF drawings are used for documentation of the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems.

Best Practices for Creating As-Built Drawings

1. Create an Efficient Workflow

The groundwork for as-built drawings begins at the start of the construction process. While it may seem that these drawings only document on-site changes, every step in the building’s construction must be tracked to ensure thorough and accurate documentation.

• Leverage Cloud Technology: Utilize cloud-based platforms to record and store changes as they occur. This ensures that all modifications are accessible and securely stored.
• Frequent Surveys: Conduct regular site surveys to map changes with precision. This minimizes the chances of errors and omissions.

2. Maximize the Use of Technology

The as-built documentation process requires detailed and accurate data collection. Advanced technologies can streamline this process and enhance accuracy:

• • Laser Scanning:

Laser scanning captures a 360-degree view of a structure using point-to-cloud technology. It measures distances between points efficiently, saving time and ensuring precision throughout construction.

• • Building Information Modeling (BIM):

BIM provides a detailed digital representation of the building, capturing both the design and construction processes.
In as-built documentation, BIM serves as a dynamic tool for integrating and visualizing real-time updates.

3. Ensure High-Quality Standards

As-built drawings should be created with utmost attention to quality:

• Team Training: Educate your team on industry standards and best practices for creating accurate and reliable as-built drawings.
• Tailored Protocols: Design workflows and protocols specific to your project needs to ensure consistency.

4. Include Photo Documentation

• Capture high-resolution photos alongside the drawings.
• GPS-Tagged Photos: Add geographical coordinates to photos for enhanced context and accuracy. This is particularly useful for large-scale or outdoor projects.

5. Adopt Living As-Built Drawings

• Cloud Integration: By using cloud-based solutions, create living as-built drawings that reflect real-time changes.
• Centralized Updates: Ensure that updates are accessible to all stakeholders, including operation and management teams.
• Linked Systems: Connect your drawings to related documents for seamless information updates across systems.

6. Promote Greater Accuracy

Transparent and accurate as-built drawings ensure compliance with building codes and regulations. Regular updates and monitoring by architects and designers minimize discrepancies.

7. Enhance Communication

As-built drawings streamline communication among project stakeholders by providing a clear record of changes. They assist in planning construction phases, scheduling maintenance, and conducting evaluations.

8. Simplify Project Management

Over a building’s lifecycle, renovations and maintenance often introduce changes. As-built drawings act as a comprehensive reference for project managers, ensuring continuity even when teams change.

9. Focus on Presentation

• Clarity: Make the drawings easy to understand, even for non-architectural professionals like homeowners and insurance agents.
• Searchable Formats: Provide the documents in formats that are searchable and compatible with commonly used software.

Conclusion

Architectural drawings are detailed blueprints that ensure all systems are integrated efficiently and comply with safety standards, laying the foundation for a well-coordinated and sustainable construction process. Every drawing type is a puzzle piece contributing to the bigger picture of architectural and structural success.

One of them is as-built drawings that capture every modification made from the initial design to the final construction. They not only reflect the completed structure but also proof to be a valuable resource for future renovations, maintenance, and decision-making.