Importance of Good As-Built Surveys and Drawings

One of the first things you need for any residential project is inventory of the existing house. As-builts are often the only true and accurate record of the structure. Well-drawn and current as-builts are an accurate representation of what was actually built and how it differs from what was designed. These drawings also present an excellent opportunity to review the state of the home, not just the dimensions and configuration, but the overall condition too.

As-built drawing services will go out on site with the necessary tools and document the project thoroughly. These drawings continue to serve as a reference throughout the life of a project, so leading as-built services, such as Precision Property Measurements in San Francisco, lay great emphasis on accuracy and thoroughness.

As-Built Surveys or Physical Surveys show the property just “as it is built” at a specific point in time. A pre-construction survey helps in documenting conditions before construction work but the As-Built survey helps to show the current state of the site at various stages throughout the execution of a project. It also becomes a close-out document to verify that the authorized work was completed according to plan and in compliance with all relevant standards and regulations.

As-Built Surveys have significantly changed in the past decade. Field survey data is collected with great speed and accuracy, boosting productivity and efficiency. Now, 3D digital collection and aerial drones can capture final construction to compile a single As-Built digital file. Such digital files offer the surveyor a reliable platform to analyze, compile, and deliver field survey data in a more accurate and understandable format, providing the end client a more useable product.

Construction As-Builts represent the finished condition of the project as it was actually constructed and accepted. The task of preparing as-builts usually falls to the contractor. The process requires any change, that alters the original design, to be incorporated by drafting it upon one set of contract documents reserved just for that purpose.

Generally, alterations are recognized or authorized within contract-related documents that are prepared during the course of work. Change documentation may include the contractor’s ‘Notices of Change’, change orders, field orders and non-conforming work that was accepted “as-is” or moderated by other means. Documentation may also include the addenda that were issued during the bid cycle, when conformed drawings were not issued by the owner.

Before you begin construction, modification or improvements on any building, you need a clear picture in your mind of what you want. The same is true if you want to carry out maintenance and repairs. In all these cases, the importance of as-builts cannot be overemphasized.

To learn more about San Francisco as-built services and surveys or to request a quote, call Precision Property Measurements at 855-272-8458.

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Precision Property Measurements Joined: February 5th, 2019