As-Built & Measured Drawings
Measured drawings of visible, accessible existing building conditions for permit design, renovation planning, legalization work and coordination. The scope is documented clearly so a measured plan is not mistaken for a survey, structural assessment or certification of concealed construction.
What measured existing-condition drawings can include
Depending on what the next design stage needs, we can document:
- room dimensions, wall locations, doors, windows and stair geometry
- floor plans and selected elevations or building sections
- visible beams, columns, bulkheads and other relevant building features
- plumbing fixtures, mechanical equipment and visible service locations where needed for coordination
- photographic site documentation supporting the measured set
- existing-condition base drawings that can be developed into a permit or renovation package
What “as-built” does not automatically mean
The term is used loosely in construction. 828 Design uses the service for measured existing-condition documentation unless the written scope says otherwise. We do not represent a measured drawing as a legal boundary survey, a concealed-condition investigation, a structural condition opinion or a professional engineer’s record drawing.
Why accuracy depends on access
Locked rooms, finished ceilings, millwork, inaccessible roofs, concealed foundations and wall cavities limit what can be measured directly. Where dimensions are inferred from partial information, the drawings should be treated as design base information and verified when the concealed condition becomes accessible.
Using measured drawings for permit work
Existing-condition drawings are often the foundation for additions, basement apartments, interior alterations, change-of-use projects and unpermitted-work legalization. Once the existing building is documented, the proposed design can be compared against zoning, Building Code and discipline-specific requirements.
Common questions
Do you need to visit the property?
Usually yes when 828 Design is being retained to produce measured existing-condition drawings. The required level of measurement depends on the project.
Can you use old realtor plans or client measurements?
They can be useful references, but we do not treat unverified third-party information as our own measured site data. If a limited drafting scope relies on client-supplied information, that limitation should be stated.
Are measured drawings the same as a legal survey?
No. Property boundaries and legal survey information are the responsibility of an Ontario land surveyor where a survey is required.
Will the drawings show hidden framing or foundations?
Only if those conditions are visible or otherwise reliably documented. Concealed construction may require opening, investigation or specialist review.
Can the same measured set be used for a permit application?
Often it becomes the existing-condition base for permit design, but the proposed permit package still requires the relevant design and Code information.
Do you certify that the existing building is legal?
No. Existing-condition drawings document what was measured; legality and permit history must be assessed separately against municipal records and applicable requirements.
What to send for a quote
- property address and municipality
- what the measured drawings will be used for
- approximate building size and number of levels
- photos or video of the areas to be measured
- existing drawings, survey or permit set if available
- access limitations or occupied/tenant conditions that may affect the visit
Related technical / coordination services
BCIN Permit Drawings · Interior Alteration Permit Design · Unpermitted Work & Order To Comply · Building Structural Permit Drawings
828 Design Inc. — BCIN building design & permit services. Technical content reviewed against current Ontario Building Code, ESA and professional-responsibility context: August 2026. Requirements are confirmed for the actual building, municipality, qualification category and written scope. Qualifications & responsibility →
Need reliable existing-condition drawings before design starts?
Send the address, approximate size and what you plan to do with the property. We can define the measurement level needed for the permit or design stage.