What is an As-Built Survey and When is it Required?
Design drawings show what was supposed to be built. An as-built survey documents what was actually built, and the two are rarely identical. Small deviations during construction are normal, but without a formal as-built survey, nobody has an accurate record of what actually exists on site.
1
Field Measurement
DGPS, or drone survey captures the exact as-constructed positions of structures, utilities, and finished grades.">
2
Data Capture
3
Comparison
4
Final Drawing
1cm
Typical as-built measurement accuracy
100%
Structures requiring documentation
Zero
Guesswork in future renovation work
When As-Built Survey Becomes Necessary
Regulatory Compliance
Many government and municipal projects require formal as-built documentation before final approval or handover.
Utility Installation
Underground utilities must be documented as-built since they become invisible once buried, critical for future excavation safety.
Facility Management
Building owners need accurate records for future maintenance, renovation, or expansion planning without guessing at existing conditions.
Contract Closeout
Formal handover from contractor to owner typically requires as-built documentation as a contractual deliverable.
What Discrepancies Commonly Show Up
Even well-managed construction projects show minor variances: a foundation shifted a few centimetres, a utility routed slightly differently than designed, a structure built at a marginally different elevation. As-built surveys catch these before they cause problems in future work on the same site.
An as-built survey is not about assigning blame for construction deviations. It is about having an accurate record that protects everyone: owner, contractor, and any future team working on the site. Learn more about our construction survey services including as-built documentation.
Get a Same-Day Quote on WhatsApp Back to all articles