8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

 Search  Subscribe

 1-877-626-2690

Courses Company Training Support MasterClasses Tools  Video Channel

Blog  Login

Blog > Construction > 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line &

As-built Drawings
AUGUST 16, 2018 BY JUAN RODRIGUEZ — 2 COMMENTS

  Share on Facebook   Share on Twitter 

As-built drawings are required in almost

every project and it is a common practice for
future reference. Recording as-built and
taking care of red-line drawings during
construction can be a hurdle to clear before
getting the nal payment or releasing the
retainage.

This article presents some of the best practices recommended by general

contractors and builders that will facilitate the as-built process for your company
and crews in the eld.

Who’s Responsible for As-Built Drawings?

Recording as-built drawings is a responsibility of the general contractor during the
construction process. Field crews will collect data and information as job
progresses capturing all changes and modi cations during construction. Very
https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 1/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

important to set some money from your budget to nalize the process but
following these tips can save you money and wild increase your project e ciency.

But before we get started, it is important to clarify a couple of things:

Ask for the level of accuracy during contract of negotiations

Verify that format required for the as-built
Ensure the proper statement are added to the drawings

25 Tips for As-Built Drawings

The following recommendations are suggested for better managing as-built
drawings:

1. Don’t expect that the architect or designer will stamp and sign the drawings.
They are not ultimately responsible for changes during the installation
process or eld directives. They were not paid to do that.
2. Avoid using words like similar, equivalent and replace them with the right and
detailed information that is part of the equipment installed in the project.
3. If you need to draw and add detailed design information, it is recommended
to use the same scale in the as-built as the original design drawing scale.
4. Do not delete or remove original dimensions and measurements. As-built
drawings must include revised dimensions by crossing out or using an “X” to
write over the original dimension. Then write down the new value and
encompass it with a cloud to demonstrate the change.
5. If the contract allows, add fabrication, erection, installation, and shop drawing
information to the as-built.
6. All new equipment and material used, must contain location speci cation,
sizing, material type and other pertinent details.
7. If specialty equipment is installed by other contractors, clearly identify that
information as part of the as-built drawings.
8. Underground utilities shall have elevation, material type, ground cover, depth,
diameter, and ow direction if needed.
9. Provide photos and information from all obstructions in the area.

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 2/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

10. Every note and document must have stamped time and date identifying when
the note was added to the drawing.
11. Make sure that all drawings are dated after the red-lines are complete. Be
consistent on the date location to make sure everyone is aware of the revision
date.
12. Some drawing and design details must be stamped and sealed by whoever
did the external design.
13. Add all notes within a speci c sheet in one single drawing. This will facilitate
the as-built completion and will reduce mistakes.
14. Sometimes it will be necessary to add sheets to the drawings. If that’s the
case, you can ask the AEC of record to provide you with a sequential number
according to the drawing set and use the same scale and legend as the one
used in thru original design.
15. As-built drawings are to be kept on site at all times during the construction
process.
16. As-built drawings are to be under the control of one single person managing
the access to the drawings.
17. Use coloured pencils form the following: Red indicates deleted items; green
colour re ects project additions or new equipment; while blue indicates
speci c info or details are provided.
18. Explain changes if necessary and use clear lettering. Notes and corrections
are recommended.
19. Use the same legend as the original drawings.
20. Shop drawings and other submittal information can be added as appendixes
and add a note to the appropriate section of the drawing.
21. If no changes are needed to a speci c drawing, state so and mark them as, as-
built.
22. Add an index sheet if necessary to the nal as-built package.
23. Add contractors name, date and clearly identify drawings as “red-line
drawings for as-built preparation purposes only.
24. Scan and get the drawings into the cloud for future reference.
25. Document project completion and submission date.

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 3/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

How do you store and record your As-Built and Red-line Drawings for a project? Do
you have tips to add? Leave a comment below.

Filed Under: Construction

Subscribe to Plan Academy's Primavera P6 Blog

Join 1000's of fellow Project Controls Professionals!
Get Plan Academy's latest articles straight to your inbox. Enter your work email address below:

Yes, I want to subscribe to Plan Academy's articles by email.*

Enter Your Work Email Address....

We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you ever want to stop getting emails from Plan
Academy, you can opt-out of all communications located at the bottom of each email.

Subscribe

About Juan Rodriguez

Juan Rodriguez is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a
registered Professional Engineer in Illinois, New York and Puerto Rico with
over 21 years of experience managing large civil works, power generation and
renewable energy projects. He has international experience working in US,
Canada and the Caribbean. Mr. Rodriguez also o ers his services as a
consultant to builders, contractors and construction related professionals.
Juan is an excellent speaker and a true leader that knows how to combine

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 4/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

plain old school with new technology, maximizing results for your
organization. Juan will contribute with his thorough understanding of
corporate and industry practices, applicable laws, processes, standards, and
will provide evaluation of project activities. He has demonstrated excellent
communication and interpersonal skills, magni cent contract and business
acumen.

You Might Also Like

4 Ways To Correctly Document Your Construction…
A Guide To Understanding Construction Contracts from A to Z

Comments

Avo Albo says:

10 months ago
For underground installations be it pipe or electrical requires the as-built
drawing to be signed o by registered surveyor con rming the locations,
eastings, northing, elevations, change of direction etc. before they are allowed to
back ll, this forces the contractors to be accurate. Also from a quality
perspective, need to have all of the documents supporting the installation
complete and approved before back lling. These as-builts have to get back to the
home o ce engineering as soon as possible to update the model. Often the
underground installations are done very early in the project and future
installations require this information to prevent clashes. I was on a project and a
small gas line had to get relocated, the information did not get back to home
o ce and sure enough they drove a pile through this relocated pipe.

Reply

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 5/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

Antonio Sarabis says:

6 months ago
Are red lines / asbuilts required by code?

Reply

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required elds are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Post Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 6/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

POPULAR ARTICLES

Boring Project Reports? 8 Project Timeline Tools

To Help You Create Visual Reports
What is a .PLF File And How Do I Open It in
Primavera P6?
Construction Projects: What I Saw On My Visit
To London
What’s the di erence between Primavera P6
PPM and Primavera P6 EPPM?

13 Project Controls Books That Every Project

Controller Should Have In Their Library

The Essential Guide to Printing Layouts in

Primavera P6
https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 7/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

How to Show the Critical Path in Primavera P6

CPM Scheduling 101: How Primavera Scheduling

Works

Measuring Project Progress : 6 Methods You

Should Know
How to Trace Out of Sequence Activities in
Primavera P6 Professional
Critical Path vs Longest Path

Graphing a P6 Resource S-Curve in Excel

5 Reasons A Project Viewer Will Improve Your
Project’s Communications
Understanding Primavera XER Files
As Late As Possible Constraint: How To Use It In
Primavera P6 [VIDEO]

Duration Percent Complete in Primavera P6 –

the Missing Guide

XER File Slow To Import to P6? Try Cleaning

POBS Data
5 Free BIM Tools That Can Help You Get Started
Construction Project Management Certi cation
– Is It For You?

11 Killer Interview Questions For Hiring A

Project Controller

Units Percent Complete in Primavera P6 – the

Missing Guide
What is the DCMA 14-point schedule
assessment?
7 Earned Value Management Formulas To Make
Your Life Easier As A Project Controls
Professional
Compress A Schedule Using Duration Types in
Primavera P6
How to Build a Lookahead Filter in Primavera P6

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 8/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

Browse All Topics

Search our Blog Articles... Search

 Plan Academy Blog Feed

COMPANY TRAINING & LEGAL STUFF CONNECT

SUPPORT
About Plan Academy Terms of Use Contact Us
Careers Training Courses Membership Terms
Plan Academy Inc.
Call For Trainers Support Services Privacy Hamilton, ON
Instructors & Authors Free Webinars Canada.
Customer Case Blog
Studies 1-877-626-
2690

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 9/10
8/24/2019 25 Tips You Should Know About Red-line & As-built Drawings

  

Copyright © 2019 Plan Academy Inc. · All Rights Reserved ·

https://www.planacademy.com/25-tips-know-red-line-built-drawings/ 10/10