What are As-Built Drawings | Uses and Benefits

As-built drawings are also known as red-line drawings, it is one of the most important drawings of all as they show the final state of the project. In this article, we have covered everything about the As-Built Drawings.

What are As-Built Drawings

As-built drawings are the final layouts of the project which show the project in its completed state, it also shows the measurements, materials, and some other specifications related to the project. It is one of the most important and underrated drawings in any construction project, particularly when it comes to maintaining the lifecycle of the building after the construction has been done.

These drawings show a comparison between the current state of the project compared to the actual design drawings.

As-built drawings help to identify the errors, compare the changes with the original plan, and enable the corrections which avoid rework and delays. It does more than this, it works as a reference for the project’s future expansion, renovation, or maintenance which saves time and resources.

Who Creates As-Built Drawings?

As-built drawings are done by contractors, but sometimes architects and designers are also involved depending on the complexity of the project. As-built drawings never be done by old methods like pen and pencil they are done using advanced software.

This is not a cup of tea for nerds who create designs in CAD software. The person who is responsible for creating the As-built drawings should be an expert in operating the software and creating correct drawings.

Some construction projects use specialized firms dedicated to creating as-built drawings. These firms often incorporate modern technology such as laser scanning to get very precise measurements of the finished project.

Uses of As-built Drawings

Changes are common during the building process as the contractors and other AEC professionals face many construction issues like material availability, fabrication, restrictions, etc. As-built drawings are the one-step ahead drawing given by the contractor after the completion of the project. They show an accurate representation of the completed product and consider all adjustments made during the construction project.

Uses of As-Built Drawings for Various Stages of Construction

New Construction: Contractors face many issues while building a new structure as they only use paper drawings. As a result, building plans must be updated to provide an accurate portrayal of the structure once construction is completed. These drawings encompass all the alterations that happened during the construction phase for building operations and maintenance.

Renovation: Before beginning any renovation work, it is important to understand the building’s existing state. As a result, working with current construction plans is critical for a secure and efficient renovation.

Building Operations: Small changes and alterations are possible over the entire lifecycle of a project. To maintain an accurate representation of the building maintenance team must update the drawings whenever changes happen.

Benefits of As-Built Drawings:

As-Built Drawings is the final set of drawings once the construction is done, it offers various benefits to the stakeholders involved in the project and the owner as well.

Maintenance and Repair: As-built drawings assist facility managers and maintenance teams in quickly identifying pipes, wires, ducts, and other infrastructure when problems occur. In the absence of precise documentation, even straightforward tasks can escalate into expensive searches.

Renovation and Future Expansion: As-built drawings work as a reference when it comes to renovation and expansion. They give essential data about what’s behind the walls and below the floors, allowing architects and engineers to plan correctly.

Legal Documentation: Maintaining As-built drawings is mandatory by law in some places since it provides documentation for code compliance. It can also help settle property disputes by providing evidence of actual boundaries, easements, or rights of way.

As-built drawings are beneficial to the construction team, but contractors also can benefit from it by presenting As-built drawings during the discussion of the new project. As-built drawings not only enhance the image of contractors but also show the success and quality of the work they have done previously.

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