Category: Design
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
As-built drawings record what was actually built after all site changes: positions of buried services, final dimensions and the materials used.
Why it matters on a project
The owner needs them for operation, maintenance and any future extension, and contracts often require them before final payment or release of retention.
Measurement and pricing
Normally part of the contractor's scope; on larger projects they may be a separate priced item.
Common mistake
Leaving changes unrecorded until the end of the job, so the routes of buried services are lost.
Frequently asked questions
When are as-built drawings handed over?
At or before taking-over, depending on the contract, and they are updated during construction, not at the end.
Are they different from shop drawings?
Yes. A shop drawing shows what will be built; an as-built drawing records what was actually built after all changes.
Related terms
- Construction drawingsDetailed drawings used to build the work on site after design approval, including dimensions, levels and details.
- Shop drawingsDrawings prepared by the contractor or fabricator showing how items are made and installed, approved by the consultant before execution.
- Handover certificateA document evidencing the client’s acceptance of the works and start of the defects period.
- RetentionA percentage withheld from each payment and released after handover or the defects period.
- Defects liability periodThe period after handover during which the contractor must repair defects at its own cost.
Does your project need architectural design and construction drawings? Send the drawings or a short description and we reply within one working day.
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