Contract documents

In order to maintain the building, an owner may ask you for “as-built drawings” after construction is complete. Generally, “as-built drawings” show the actual locations of building services such as ducts, pipes, and conduits that are normally only shown diagrammatically. This article highlights how the A201- 2017 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction and the B101- 2017 Owner-Architect Agreement addresses the concept of “as-built drawings.”

Section 3.11 of A201-2017

While the term “as-built drawings” is avoided by the AIA contract documents, Section 3.11 of the A201-2017 requires the contractor to keep an updated set of documents “as a record of the Work as constructed.” Because the contractor is not a design professional, the documents may not rise to the level of detail that an owner may need to properly maintain the building.

Section 4.1.1.16 of B101-2017

To the extent an owner would like more than the contractor’s marked up documents, Section 4.1.1.16 of B101-2017 allows an architect to include “as-constructed record drawings” as a supplemental service. Supplemental services are not included in the architect’s basic services but may be added to the scope of the architect’s contract. The instruction for Section 4.1.1.16 of the B101-2017 provides the following information:

• 4.1.1.16 As-constructed record drawings (commonly called “As-builts”) are the record of the Project as constructed based on information the Contractor provides to the Owner under the contract for construction. Because the As-constructed Record Drawings will be based on the Contractor’s mark-ups, the Architect is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the As-constructed Record Drawings.

Section 3.11 of the A201-2017 in combination with Section 4.1.1.16 of the B101-2017 may help you provide an owner with documents reflecting a record of the building as constructed. However, it is always a good idea to have a discussion between you and the owner in advance of the project in order plan the best approach to producing a record of documentation that will best help the owner after construction is complete.

AIA Contract Documents has provided this article for general informational purposes only. The information provided is not legal opinion or legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship of any kind. This article is also not intended to provide guidance as to how project parties should interpret their specific contracts or resolve contract disputes, as those decisions will need to be made in consultation with legal counsel, insurance counsel, and other professionals, and based upon a multitude of factors.