Define: As-Builts
As-Builts are the drawings and documents prepared by the contractor or architect at the end of a project, recording the actual dimensions, materials, locations, and changes made during construction. In a contract, the clause defines who prepares them, when they are delivered, and the accuracy standard they must meet before final payment or handover.
Legal accuracy standard set & glossary spot-checked by Imad Mohammed Nazar , Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Legal Engineer at GenieAI
What As-Builts Means in a Contract
As-Builts refers to the set of construction drawings that reflect what was actually built, rather than what was originally designed. Every construction project begins with design drawings, but changes inevitably occur during the build due to site conditions, client requests, or engineering adjustments. As-Builts capture those changes so that the final documentation matches reality.
In a Construction Agreement, the As-Builts clause typically obligates the contractor to maintain a running record of deviations from the approved plans and to produce a finalized set of drawings at project completion. This obligation exists because inaccurate or missing records can create serious problems for future maintenance, renovation, or dispute resolution long after the original construction team has moved on.
The clause usually specifies the party responsible for preparing the As-Builts, whether that is the general contractor, a subcontractor, the architect, or the engineer of record. It may also state the format required, such as marked-up paper drawings, digital CAD files, or building information modeling data, depending on the complexity of the project.
How As-Builts Is Defined or Measured
As-Builts are measured against the standard of accuracy required by the contract, which can range from a general requirement to note material changes to a highly detailed obligation to survey and record exact dimensions, elevations, and utility routing. The stricter the standard, the more time and cost is typically involved in producing the final documents.
Contracts often distinguish between.
Relevant Circumstances
- When construction handover requires drawings reflecting actual built conditions
- If facilities management depends on accurate as-built records
- Where warranty or defects work must reference verified as-built dimensions