Discover the 6 Secrets Contained in an As-Built Survey

No matter how meticulously a construction project is planned, no matter how detailed the blueprints and no matter how prepared the builder and subcontractors are, there’s one thing you can always count on — changes to the original drawings as work progresses.

Today’s digital as-builts contain detailed information about the changes that occur during a construction project. Information in an as-built can includes what changes were made and when, what materials might have been substituted, what necessitated the changes, and where components had to be rerouted.

No detail is too small to include on an as-built. As-builts are relied upon for future renovations or additions, maintenance, work on utilities, upgrades to systems, and demolition. The more accurate and detailed the as-built, the smoother future projects will go.

While not exactly secrets per se, there are things you can find out about a construction project nowhere else but through an as-built. In effect, they tell the story of a building’s construction. Here are six things an as-built should tell you:

1. Deviations. Only by looking at an as-built drawing can you see exactly how much the completed structure varies from the original drawings. Specialized software allows you to overlay the original drawing or 3D model with a current as-built to see what was built to spec and what was modified.
2. Obstacles. As-builts can often reveal the obstacles that arose during construction. By studying an as-built you can learn how each hurdle was handled.
3. Building materials. If changes in building materials had to be made, the as-built will sometimes record them in detail.
4. Re-routes. Any changes in placement of doors, windows, utility lines, or other items will stand out on the as-built.
5. Corrections. Final inspections may necessitate corrections, and those will be detailed on the as-built.
6. Accuracy. An as-built should be updated with any subsequent changes. If not, it becomes obsolete and of little use to anyone going forward.

Advantages of Digital As-Builts

In the past, as-builts were created by hand. Modern digital versions are designed and edited on computers. Rather than being created at the end of a project, digital as-builts are created early on and added to as necessary. Digital files are easily shared among team members, making collaboration on a project much more efficient.

3D as-builts help make spatial relationships clearer and offer a huge improvement over the traditional 2D as-built drawings. LiDAR scanning combined with photogrammetry provides spatial data that can be input into software to provide an array of models and maps that are far more precise and error-free than any drawings produced by humans.

As-builts offer significant advantages:

• Documentation of compliance with building codes and permits, including safety features like emergency exits, fire protection systems and more
• Streamlined data available for maintenance and repairs
• Accurate records for future renovations
• Efficient asset management (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.)
• Legal documentation in case of disputes or legal issues

Having a precise digital as-built streamlines any future renovations, upgrades, or expansions. It enhances planning, increases safety, and saves time.

Darling Geomatics will Map and Model Your Whole Project

Darling Geomatics, an award-winning geospatial firm based in Tucson, Arizona, excels in creating detailed maps and models of every part of a construction project. Since 2003, they have employed laser scanning to produce the most accurate deliverables for their clients.

Their 3D models are created using the latest high-tech 3D scanning equipment and the collected data is the starting point for any number of maps and models. Darling Geomatics delivers as-built data in CAD and virtually any other 2D and/or 3D software format required.

For your next project, consider collecting on-going as-builts to create a record of the construction process. Doing so will make it easy to onboard subcontractors, keep collaborators up to date, and possibly avoid permitting delays. At the end of construction, you will have an accurate record that confirms what changes have been made.

Darling Geomatics would love to show you what a difference digital as-builts can make on your next project.