When a building project, installation or engineering works have been completed, it is useful to have an accurate record of what has actually been installed.
As-installed drawings provide this record, showing the final arrangement of a building, system, installation, component or other completed work. They can be particularly valuable for future maintenance, alterations, inspections and further development.
KR CAD Solutions provides professional as-installed drawing services for domestic building projects as well as commercial, mechanical, engineering and industrial applications.
Using CAD software and practical experience across building services, engineering and construction, existing project information can be developed into clear and accurate drawings representing the completed installation.
What are as-installed drawings?
As-installed drawings, sometimes referred to as as-built drawings, document the work as it has actually been completed rather than simply showing the original design intention.
During a project, changes can sometimes be made to the original design. Equipment may be repositioned, dimensions may change, components may be substituted or installations may take a different route from that originally shown on the design drawings.
An as-installed drawing records these changes.
The completed drawings can therefore provide an important reference for the building or installation after the project has finished.
This can be particularly useful when someone needs to understand the location, arrangement or specification of something without having to investigate the completed installation physically.
Why are as-installed drawings important?
Your original design drawings may no longer accurately represent what exists once construction or installation has been completed.
Having an up-to-date set of as-installed CAD drawings can help you maintain an accurate record of the finished project.
For example, drawings can show the final location of services, equipment, structural elements, mechanical installations or other components.
This information can be useful when future work is planned. Rather than relying on old drawings or assumptions about what is behind a wall, beneath a floor or within a particular area of a building, you have a documented representation of the completed installation.
Accurate records can also make it easier for contractors, engineers and maintenance teams to understand the existing arrangement.
As-installed drawings for commercial and industrial projects
As-installed drawings are particularly useful for commercial, engineering and industrial projects where buildings and installations can contain numerous interconnected systems.
A commercial or industrial facility may include mechanical equipment, building services, pipework, ductwork, electrical installations, machinery, structural elements and other technical components.
Once the project is complete, keeping an accurate record of their final locations can be extremely useful.
Commercial as-installed drawings can provide a reference for future maintenance, refurbishment or alterations.
For engineering and industrial projects, the drawings can also help document the final arrangement of components or installations and provide useful information for future engineering work.
Where a project has undergone changes during construction, updating the drawings to reflect those changes can be particularly important.
As-installed drawings for mechanical and engineering projects
Mechanical and engineering installations can involve complex arrangements where accurate information about the final installation is important.
This might include equipment layouts, mechanical systems, components, pipework, ducting, plant or other technical installations.
As-installed engineering drawings can record the final position and arrangement of these elements once installation has been completed.
The information can then be used by engineers, maintenance teams, contractors and other professionals who need to understand the existing installation.
For projects that are likely to be modified or expanded in the future, having an accurate record can provide a useful starting point for subsequent design work.
As-installed drawings for domestic building projects
Although the term is often associated with commercial and engineering projects, as-installed drawings can also be useful for domestic building work.
If you have completed an extension, conversion, renovation or significant alteration, an accurate record of the finished work can be useful for future reference.
For example, your project may have involved changes to the original design during construction. The final layout may therefore differ from the drawings produced at the planning or design stage.
Creating updated as-installed building drawings can provide a record of the completed arrangement.
This can be particularly useful if you later undertake further alterations and need to understand how the existing building has been changed.
Creating accurate CAD records of completed work
Producing as-installed drawings often involves comparing the original design information with the completed project.
Information may come from existing drawings, site measurements, installation information, contractor records or other available documentation.
Where necessary, the completed installation can be surveyed so that the drawings reflect the actual situation.
The information can then be incorporated into professional 2D CAD drawings, creating a clear record of the completed work.
Where a three-dimensional representation would provide additional value, 3D CAD modelling can also be considered depending on the nature and requirements of the project.
As-installed drawings and future maintenance
One of the main practical benefits of maintaining accurate building and installation records is that they can remain useful long after the original project has been completed.
Buildings and installations change over time.
Equipment may be replaced, rooms may be altered and additional systems may be installed. Without accurate records, it can become increasingly difficult to establish exactly what is present and where it is located.
As-installed drawings provide a reference point for future work.
If maintenance or alterations are required, contractors and engineers can use the drawings to gain a better understanding of the existing arrangement before work begins.
This can help make future projects easier to plan and can reduce the need to establish basic information from scratch.
Professional as-installed CAD drawing services
KR CAD Solutions has more than 30 years of experience across engineering, building services and construction, together with experience using industry-standard Autodesk software including AutoCAD and Revit BIM.
This combination of practical experience and CAD expertise allows drawings to be produced with an understanding of how building and engineering information is used in real-world projects.
Whether you require as-installed drawings for a domestic building, commercial premises, mechanical installation or industrial project, the service can be tailored to the information available and the purpose of the finished drawings.
If you have existing drawings that need updating, or a completed installation that needs to be documented, you can discuss your requirements with KR CAD Solutions.
When might you need as-installed drawings?
You may benefit from professional as-installed drawing services if you:
- Have completed a building or construction project
- Need existing drawings updated to reflect completed work
- Have made changes to the original design during construction
- Need accurate records of mechanical installations
- Require drawings of completed engineering works
- Need to document an industrial installation
- Are preparing for future maintenance or refurbishment
- Need accurate information before undertaking further alterations
- Have incomplete or outdated CAD drawings
- Need to convert existing project information into professional CAD drawings
The information required will depend on the type and complexity of the project.
KR CAD Solutions can discuss the information you have available and establish what is required to produce an accurate record of the completed work.
Create an accurate record of your completed project
Your design drawings show what was intended to be built or installed. As-installed drawings provide a record of what is actually there.
Keeping this information up to date can make it easier to maintain, modify and develop a building, installation or engineering project in the future.
KR CAD Solutions can produce professional as-installed CAD drawings for domestic, commercial, mechanical, engineering and industrial projects, using available drawings, measurements and project information to create an accurate record of the completed work.
Contact KR CAD Solutions to discuss your as-installed drawing requirements and find out how professional CAD documentation can help you maintain an accurate record of your completed project.