How to Use As-Built Drawings for Renovation

 

Introduction:

As-built drawings, sometimes called red-line drawings or as-builts, are updated sets of drawings that a contractor submits after the project is finished. They give a precise representation of the final product and take into account all the modifications made throughout the building process.  Before you start demolition, you need a good understanding of what's there before the hammers start swinging. So that As-built drawings become your secret weapon in this situation. 

An as-built drawing shows how the building actually looks after construction, capturing deviations from the original design. These documents can be used during renovations and will ensure a smoother, more efficient process.

Why are as-built drawings important?

Documentation and Historical Record: As-built drawings function as a project's historical record. By recording the adjustments and alterations made throughout construction, they offer a thorough reference for later use. When it comes to necessary upkeep, repairs, or modifications for the structure over its lifetime, these documents are priceless.

Compliance and Code obligations: Adherence to building codes, rules, and legal obligations is contingent upon the use of as-built drawings. In order to guarantee that the structure is completed in accordance with approved plans and safety regulations, authorities frequently require accurate as-built drawings. As built plans must be provided; otherwise, there may be delays, legal issues, and even fines.

Facility Management and Maintenance: As-built drawings serve as a guide for continuous maintenance and facility management. As-built drawings, which precisely record the locations and specs of different systems including HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), electrical, and plumbing, let maintenance workers find and fix problems quickly and make improvements.

Renovations and Upgrades: As-built drawings offer vital information for upcoming building modifications or enhancements. Architects, engineers, and contractors use as-built drawings to plan changes so they can comprehend the current situation and incorporate new components with ease. Time is saved, mistakes are decreased, and the alterations are guaranteed to be in line with the original design purpose.

Dispute Resolution: As built drawings are crucial in resolving conflicts or legal matters resulting from construction projects. They contribute to the resolution of disputes pertaining to design, construction quality, or contractual compliance by offering an impartial and truthful portrayal of the finished work.

How to prepare as built drawings

Because they are familiar with the original specifications, the architects and engineers who originally developed the project typically prepare the built drawings. They are therefore the most sensible option to document the modifications made during construction.

When the contractor maintains thorough documentation of all modifications made at each stage of construction, created drawings are produced considerably more easily. Many contractors discover that using technology can drastically reduce the amount of time needed to complete this laborious procedure. Effective construction software facilitates the contractor's ability to monitor and manage modifications and variations in real time, preventing errors in recording and ensuring that no changes are missed.

Three Categories of As-Built Drawings

The classification of as-built drawings is determined by their purpose and placement in the building project. Architectural, structural, and MEP as-built drawings are the three categories used in construction.

As-built architectural drawings:

These drawings depict the internal and exterior arrangement of a structure and contain sections, floor plans, and elevations. They offer precise measurements and information on windows, doors, walls, floors, and other features.

As-built structural drawings:

The arrangement of a building's structural elements, such as its foundation, columns, beams, and framing, is depicted in structural as-built drawings. They guarantee that the building satisfies all codes and is structurally sound.

MEP As-Built Drawings

MEP As-Built Drawings are comprehensive blueprints that depict how a building's Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems are really installed and configured once construction is over. They serve as a kind of documentation for the final MEP components that are installed, documenting any modifications made to the original design drawings. For property management, upgrades, and future maintenance, these drawings are essential.

As Built Drawings for Renovation

As-built blueprints are an essential tool for remodeling projects. They are a set of blueprints made expressly to record a building's current state prior to the start of any rehabilitation work. As-built drawings give an accurate image of the building's actual layout, including the locations of walls, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems, in contrast to original construction plans, which might not account for changes made over time.

As-built drawings are crucial for renovations for the following reasons:

Improved Accuracy and Planning: As-built drawings assist avoid surprises during renovations by exposing any differences between the original plans and the building's current state. This lowers the possibility of running into unanticipated problems that could cause the project to be delayed or costlier by enabling more precise planning and cost estimation.

Enhanced Design and Decision Making: Designers are able to produce more useful and effective remodeling designs when they have a comprehensive awareness of the current conditions. As-built drawings can help in deciding on the best materials and construction techniques, assessing any obstacles, and estimating the size of the renovation job.

Enhanced Cooperation and Communication: As-built drawings provide a standard point of reference for all parties participating in the renovation project, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and subcontractors. By ensuring that everyone is operating from the same set of information, this promotes improved communication and collaboration.

Simplified Maintenance and Upcoming Renovations: Future maintenance and repairs of the building's MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems depend heavily on having a record of those systems. It is simpler to find specific components and solve issues when using as-built drawings. They serve as a baseline for planning and design, which makes them useful for upcoming renovations as well.

In summary, as-built drawings are a crucial tool for making sure remodeling projects turn out well. Through the provision of a precise depiction of the current building conditions, they provide enhanced planning, more informed design choices, and efficient project implementation.