What Are As-Built Drawings and Why Do I Need Them?
“If you’ve been asked for ‘as-built drawings’ by a council, certifier, or solicitor, you might be wondering what they are. Unlike design plans, as-built drawings show what has actually been built on your property. They are an essential tool for legalising unauthorised works, planning renovations, or selling your home. This guide explains what they are, why they are so important, and the process of getting them.”
“As-Built” vs. “Design Drawings”: A Simple Breakdown
This is the most important distinction to understand:
- Design Drawings (or “Proposed Plans”): These are the plans you create before any work begins. They show your intent—what you plan to build, like a blueprint for a new home or extension.
- As-Built Drawings (or “As-Constructed Plans”): These are created after a structure is built. They are a precise, technical record of the building as it actually stands. This includes any changes made during construction, exact dimensions, and the final locations of walls, windows, and services.
Think of it this way: design drawings are the recipe, and as-built drawings are the photo of the finished meal.
When and Why Do You Need As-Built Drawings?
As-built drawings are “problem-solver” documents. You typically need them in four key situations:
1. Legalising Unauthorised Works (The Big One)
This is the most common reason. If you or a previous owner built a structure (like a deck, pergola, or granny flat) without council approval, you can’t just send in a “proposed plan” to make it legal. The council needs to assess what already exists. As-built drawings provide the official, accurate plans of the unauthorised structure, which are then submitted as part of a Retrospective Development Application (DA) or for a Building Information Certificate (BIC).
2. Selling or Buying a Property
During the sale process, a buyer’s solicitor will do a “due diligence” check. They will compare the home’s actual layout to the plans held by the council. If they find discrepancies (e.g., an ensuite that isn’t on the original plans), they will flag it as a potential risk. Providing a set of professional as-built drawings and proof of legalisation (like a BIC) can save a sale from falling through.
3. Planning Major Renovations or Additions
If you’re planning a new extension, you can’t build on a guess. Your designer or architect needs an accurate starting point. As-built drawings provide a precise, to-scale plan of your existing home. This ensures the new design will fit perfectly, helps calculate costs, and prevents costly “surprises” once construction begins.
4. Strata or Body Corporate Requirements
If you live in a unit, apartment, or townhouse, the Strata or Body Corporate will often require as-built plans before approving any internal changes (like removing a wall). This is to ensure your work doesn’t affect the building’s core structure or any shared services.
The Process: How We Create Your As-Built Drawings
You can’t get as-built plans from your original builder (who may be long gone) or council (who only has the proposed plans, if any). They must be created by a professional.
The process is straightforward:
- Step 1: Site Visit & Measure: Our team visits your property for a detailed site inspection. We use precise tools, like laser measures, to capture all relevant dimensions of the structure—wall lengths, heights, window and door locations, setbacks from boundaries, and more.
- Step 2: Digital Drafting: We take that raw data back to our office and use specialised computer-aided design (CAD) software to create a highly accurate, to-scale 2D or 3D model of your property as it stands today.
- Step 3: Preparing Final Plans: We produce a set of professional architectural plans (including floor plans, elevations, and a site plan) that meet all council and industry standards. These are the official “as-built drawings” you can submit.
Why Can’t I Just Draw Them Myself?
While it might be tempting to save money by sketching a plan yourself, council and certifiers will not accept it. Submissions must be professional, accurate, and follow strict Australian drafting standards. A hand-drawn sketch or a simple “floor plan” app won’t include the critical information needed for a legal assessment, such as:
- Compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
- Accurate property boundary setbacks
- Structural details
- Correct symbols and notations
Gain Certainty with JJ Drafting
Dealing with council or planning issues can be confusing. As-built drawings are the first and most critical step to finding a solution. They provide a clear, factual, and professional record that all parties can rely on.
Whether you need to legalise a past project, prepare for a sale, or start a new renovation, we provide the accurate as-built drawings you need to move forward with confidence.
Need to document an existing structure? Contact JJ Drafting on 0414 71 75 41 or 1300 977 804 or email us on enquiries@jjdrafting.com.au today to discuss our professional as-built drawing services.