What Are As-Built Drawings?

 

Accurate documentation of the built environment is necessary for efficient construction management. As-built drawings play a crucial role in this process.  These drafts are created during or after construction to reflect the current conditions of a structure of a building, capturing any changes made during the construction process.  As-builts preserve any alterations made throughout the building process, making it simpler to handle future alterations and repairs by the maintenance team.

 As-built drawings are essentially representations of the completed building's layout meaning they contain precise measurements, material specifications, and other details regarding the building project and are produced based on the measurements of the existing conditions using different BIM or AutoCAD construction software.  As a result, homeowners, engineers, and builders rely on these plans in the architecture and construction industries. In this article, we will dive into the importance of As-Built drawings in construction projects, their significance in avoiding costly mistakes, and how they can contribute to efficient project management.

How As-Built Drawings Help the Project?

Representations of the current state of a building and its surroundings are known as "as-is plans" or "as-built drawings." These drawings may include various types such as floor plans, ceiling plans, exterior elevations, and more, depending on the specific needs.  The project management process can greatly benefit from having them completed accurately and up to date.

By sharing this information with professionals, such as architects, or contractors, As-Built drawings enable them to have a clear understanding of the current condition of the project in comparison to the design drawings and specifications.  This facilitates the identification of any errors, or differences compared to the original plans, and allows for timely corrections, avoiding costly rework or delays.  Additionally, As-Built drawings save time and money by providing a useful reference for future expansions, renovations, or maintenance.

Compliance with regulations:

By providing comprehensive information about the building at the present stage of the project, as-built drawings can assist in ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations. This information can be used to demonstrate the changes, meet requirements, and update city records with the latest plans.  The changes or proposed changes have to be submitted to the city building department to avoid penalties and ease the permitting process.

Efficient management of modifications and repairs:

 By giving contractors and building owners detailed information about the structure, construction technology, and installed systems, these drawings can help them manage modifications and repairs more effectively. This can help cut down on the amount of time and money spent on various tasks, like replacing windows or updating roofing materials. The as-builts will be very helpful for making calculations and ordering materials correctly.

Better communication among project teams:

Finally, these drawings can help improve communication among project teams by providing a detailed representation of the current state of a project.  This can help ensure that all team members have a clear understanding of the project and can make informed decisions.

How Does As-Built Documentation Work?

As-built surveys are the first step in the process of creating as-built documentation.  These surveys involve taking precise measurements of existing structures, including dimensions, positions, and other important details.  Advanced equipment such as 3D laser scanning may be used for increased accuracy and detail to ensure the precise location of all elements.  Using specialized software like Revit or other BIM software, the survey data is evaluated and used to create comprehensive as-built drawings.

It is important to involve the entire team, including architects, engineers, and designers, from the beginning of the process to ensure that all necessary information is included in the scope of as-built documentation.  Engineers may concentrate on structural components and systems, architects on code compliance, and designers may be interested in natural lighting layout and orientation. By understanding all requirements beforehand, it is possible to capture all necessary information in one round of on-site surveys and in detailed notes, making the process more efficient.

Who uses As-Built Drawings?

As-built drawings are typically created and used by contractors, architects, and designers, depending on the project requirements.  The person who originally designed the project is usually responsible for creating the final as-built drawing, as they are most familiar with the specifications and have been made throughout the construction process.  They will often direct and record the changes as they occur, ensuring that the as-built drawing accurately reflects the changes made to the building.  As a result, as-built services are useful for providing computer-aided plans to agents, owners, and others in building departments across the United States, where digital plans are replacing traditional blueprints in the majority of cases. As-built drawings will help architects, designers, and homeowners to plan any future work with precise understanding.  A copy is available to all parties for their use. A digital working file is always helpful so that the parties can incorporate their modifications and present them to the project manager for final approval. Real estate investors can understand the profit of a potential investment by analyzing the as-builts and consulting the advisors about possible improvements.

 In addition to the construction team, contractors can also benefit from saving and presenting as-built drawings during interviews.  These drawings can show the success and quality of their previous work and improve their professional image. They can stand out from their rivals and impress project managers by displaying as-built drawings, demonstrating their dedication to accurate documentation and attention to detail.