Everything You Need To Know About As-Built Drawings
If you are a property owner and planning to do a remodel on your property, the chances are high that your architect, contractor, or a designer asked you for the property’s as-built drawings or existing layout plans.
But what exactly is an as-built drawing? What kind of things it show and how can you receive one? National drafting has the answer to all your questions in the following article.
What is an as-built drawing?
Essentially, as-built drawings are a collection of blueprints or drawings that document a building’s existing structure and layout. It shows all the varying systems and parts that make up a building.
Generally, these drawings are crafted if no records of a building currently exist. For large projects such as commercial properties, as-built documentation generally occurs after the construction phase as well.
It is done to record any deviation from the original blueprints of a project due to human error or the site condition.
Additionally, a fresh set of as-built drawings of a property is needed in case a property owner lost the original blueprints or there were illegal modifications to the building that changed the original layout.
If you are a property owner and lost your property blueprints, your local city safety and building department is a good place to begin.
Generally, safety and building departments keep records of buildings & structures that you can obtain for a sum of money.
If the safety and building department doesn’t have records, then you will most likely need to hire someone to craft the drawings up.
Sometimes Building & Safety is referred to as Planning department depending on your place of residence.
The Difference Between As-Built Survey & A Land Survey
Often, people add the term “survey” into the mix in regards to to as-built drawings.
People often say “as-built survey”; however, you should not confuse it with a “land survey”. A land survey serves a different purpose when compared to an as-built survey and is carried out by a land surveyor.
There are generally two types of land surveys: “topographical survey” and “boundary survey”.
Topographical Survey
It shows the property boundary lines and reflects the elevations of a land.
Elevation points on a survey mark where the land is higher or lower.
To obtain a land survey, you need to hire a land surveyor who is certified to perform and create this kind of drawing and has to go through a civil engineering program.
A land survey is a legal document and requires a land surveyor stamp to be authentic.
As-built survey on the other hand has to do specifically with the interior layout of a structure and does not necessarily require a stamp.
Boundary Survey
It defines where the lot boundaries are located.
Different Types Of As-Built Drawings
There are numerous different types of as built documents and they vary in their level of detail.
The most common and basic drawing is a floor plan layout. A floor plan at the most basic level would portray the walls, doors and windows.
On a more complex level, a floor plan can include all the electrical outlets, kitchen cabinetry, bathroom fixtures and switches.
Standard As Built Set
A standard set usually includes the following drawings:
Floor Plan
It usually includes doors, walls, windows, and stairs.
In some cases, furniture is also included.
Roof Plan
A roof plan shows the outline of the roof and generally includes information about the slope of the roof.
Detailed roof plans will also indicate the location of mechanical equipments or vents.
Exterior Elevations
This shows how the building looks from the outside of the structure.
Detailed exterior elevations determine the finish and material on the walls and can also indicate the windows & door framing.
Detailed As Built Set
Cross Sections
Building sections or cross sections are integral in showing the outline of stairs and understanding the level differences.
Detailed cross sections indicate framing and material information but it is not common in as-built drawings.
Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP)
On a reflected ceiling plan, you will often see the vents layout and the lighting layout.
Detailed RCP drawings will indicate the layout of the fire sprinklers and even exit signage.
Electrical Plan
An electrical plan indicates the heights and locations of switches and outlets.
A detailed electrical plan will help you find out about the type of switches and outlets that are on site.
Who Needs As-Built Drawings?
Design Professionals
Engineers and architects need the drawings to be able to do their design work.
Property Owners
The owners should have the plans for their properties to determine future projects or changes and put maintenance plans in place.
Building Professionals
Building professionals such as a general contractors will ask for the drawings to get an understanding of the potential scope of work involved when bidding.
Property Managers
Property managers need to understand the layout of the buildings they manage to operate, rent and maintain.
When Do You Need To Have As-Built Drawings?
Interior Design
Not all interior design projects need as-built drawings but generally designers prefer to have them. For extensive interior design projects, detailed as-built drawings are essential for the project.
An interior designer will generally need the reflected ceiling plans, floor plan layout and interior elevations.
Remodeling Project
If you are considering a remodelling project, your designer will need to see and understand the existing layout. Additionally, your local building department will also request to see the existing layout.
Home Additions
It is crucial to see the existing layout of a property to determine how to plan an addition on the property. Just like a remodelling project, the building department will need the as-built layout to plan their project.
Demolishing
For the majority of properties, building departments require the existing outline of a building for a demolishing permit.
Tenant Improvements (TI)
When doing light remodel work to a commercial space, the as-built layout is required for both building and design professionals.
Change of Use
If you are planning to change the use of your space, then you will have to show the existing layout before the commencement of the project.
Compliance With Local Regulations
Some local laws require buildings to be updated or modified due to code changes or events such as earthquakes.
Who Creates As-Built Drawings?
Technically, anyone with a pen, tape and paper can start drawing the layout of a structure. You will mark doors, walls, and windows; however, the likelihood of creating a legible and accurate drawing is very low when compared to engaging the professionals at National Drafting.
We are able to achieve accurate and detailed drawings because of our knowledge of the different building systems that make up a building.
As-built companies are experts in documenting spaces and providing accurate as-built drawings in both a document format & a CAD format.
Design and building professionals can then use these documents for their designs and bids and can modify it accordingly.
Using an as-built service not only saves effort and time, but also tends to offer very accurate layouts of a structure because they use specialised tools in measuring and have workflow processes in place to ensure top quality outcomes.
As-built services use laser measures, 360 cameras, and on a higher level even 3D laser scanners.