The “As-built and Record Drawings” terms are related and are commonly required as a set of post-construction drawings. But prior to this final state, Architects or Engineering firms prepare a set of drawings for construction of a building. Here are the typical phases of the life-cycle construction project for a building:

Programming Phase:
Programming is the activity of determining the "program", or set of needs that a building needs to fulfill.

Schematic Design Phase:
After establishing the program for a project, the focus in the architectural design process shifts from what the problems are to how to solve those problems. During schematic design, the focus is on the "scheme", or overall high-level design. Here, minor details should be ignored to instead focus on creating a coherent solution that encompasses the project as a whole.

Design Development Phase:
During the design development phase of the architectural design process, the scheme is refined into the final design. In previous phases, the focus has been on the project as a whole. During Design Development, it becomes important to give individual attention to each aspect, each space and each detail of the project.

Construction Document Phase:
At this stage of the architectural design process, the focus shifts from design to communicating the design and providing all information necessary for construction.

As-Built or Record Drawings:
This phase depicts the final installed configuration of both physical and functional features of the building or related building systems. This phase also indicate any construction deviations and shows all features of the project as they were “actually built”. In this final status, the drawings should clearly state in the revision block and or on the body of the drawing by using the title “As-Built” or “Record Drawing”.

These drawings provide a permanent record of “As-built” conditions and aid as key references for future maintenance processes. Additionally, these drawings can be utilized in (CAFM) Computer Aided Facility Management System and for security purposes providing they are in a state reflecting “As-is” conditions. Refer to our facility-management-solutions for more information.

Businesses often overlook the importance of the “As-Built” phase. However, when they want to make changes or additions to their buildings, it’s a must to have proper documentation of current conditions before any Architect or Engineering firm can develop new or revised plans.

In some cases, “reverse-engineering” is required to create “As-Built” drawings. A Field Survey compares the available drawings with tha actual building, documenting deviations from the existing plan. The variations are incorporated into new, As-Built drawings.

Here at CaddFX Design Services, we can bring your plans up to an As-Built condition. We convert your drawings into a digital format. Our technicians survey your building, documenting any variations from the drawings, and incorporate the changes in the drawings. We can then provide new "prints" and submit the plans properly formatted for your architect or for use by a Computer Aided Facility Management System.

Just call us toll-free at 877-422-3339 or click here for our As-Built brochure.

For more information or a quote, click here.