As-built Drawing

An as-built drawing is an updated drawing created by a contractor after completed the construction project. Development projects are quite confusing, with numerous moving parts that should adjust accurately for the final product to transpire as planned. During the construction process, problems unavoidably emerge, and the qualified contractors prove their expertise by adjusting to essential changes from the original design plan. This is the stage where the concept of as-built drawings came into existence. Though they aren’t always obligatory, most customers will want a complete package of as-built drawings at the end of a project. Giving these drawings to the client is part of the end of the construction process, and they frequently prove beneficial in the future. In this article, we will discuss the techniques for effective as-built drawings, their uses, and the importance of these drawings in California.

Introduction to As-built Drawing

An as-built drawing which is often referred to as record drawings is a revised drawing made and presented by a contractor after completion of the construction project. They hold any deviations made from the original drawings throughout the construction process and deliver an exact version of the structure and property as it looks upon completion. As-built representations should define the form, dimensions, magnitudes, and precise settings of all components within the range of the project. Any adjustments, whether big or small, should be involved, along with a record of agreements to go together with the modifications. Even minor information, for instance, materials and resources consumed would be documented if they vary from those specified in the initial design, with the proposed but idle resources simply obliterate, to permit future reference to the deviations that emerged during the construction process.

Techniques to create efficient As-built Drawings

As we discussed that as-built drawings should maintain the record of any deviations made from the initial plan throughout the construction process. These variations must be explained precisely in writing, with the date on which the adjustment was made. Any change from the original design ought to be detailed, whether it was in design, site, resources used, and many more.

A process must be specified ahead of time whereby various line functions share details and the as-built drawing is maintained methodically. Details, for instance, color code, the scale of the drawing, and the format of variations recorded are all significant for consistency and a worthwhile finished product. Disordered as-built drawings can puzzle future customers. Presenting a vague as-built drawing is practically as bad as presenting no as-built drawing. In California, contractors should follow the above techniques and procedures to produce efficient and useful as-built drawings. 

What are the uses of As-built Drawings?

As-built drawings have many uses and advantages for new construction, remodeling projects, and structural maintenance.

• New construction: 

While making a new building structure that formerly existed only in the form of a model on paper, designers or contractors will confront many challenges and must adjust their design plans in response. As-built drawings maintain the record of these modifications during construction so that a perfect drawing of the structure exists after the construction management process.

• Remodeling projects: 

Before commencing a remodeling project, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the structure as it presently exists. Thus, working with contemporary drawings is vital for safe and effective remodeling.

• Structural maintenance: 

During the passage of a structure’s lifespan, minor enhancements and variations will be made. A structure’s maintenance group is probable to upgrade drawings to imitate any changes to the structure so that a precise drawing of the structure exists every time.

Importance of As-built Drawings

In California,  As-built drawings are important for each group in the construction project for various motives.

For contractors, these drawings give a flawless record of the variations tracked in the interim phases of the construction process and make it simpler to visualize the succeeding steps. This helps them to notice impediments introduced by the variations and resolve the problem ahead of time.

For consumers and building proprietors, having a comprehensive and complete set of as-built drawings is important. Meanwhile, as-built drawings hold histories of all installations and fixings, they are a priceless help if the proprietor decides to revise the structure in the future, or if difficulties arise that the proprietor requires to troubleshoot.

As-built drawing is also proved to be a useful characteristic of the final sale, as it is beneficial to future property buyers. It gives clear evidence of what exactly is being sold and procured and serves as a basis for any future growth or modifications.

Conclusion

By concluding this article, we will come to know that as-built drawing plays a significant role in the construction management process. As-built drawing is one of the high demands of the clients after the development of the construction project. It gives you the complete specifications and details during the construction process and displays the exact location of the components, geometry, and perfect dimensions of the work done under the contract.