As-Built Drawings Ottawa: What They Are & When You Need Them
📐 Quick Answer
As-built drawings are scaled architectural plans that document a building exactly as it exists today — including walls, doors, windows, room dimensions, and structural elements. Unlike permit drawings (which show what you plan to build), as-built drawings show what was actually built. Ottawa homeowners typically need them before starting a renovation, applying for a building permit on an existing home, legalizing unpermitted work, or selling a property where changes were made without original drawings on file.
Every renovation, addition, or permit application starts with the same question: what does the house look like right now? If your home was built decades ago, has been renovated without drawings, or you simply do not have the original plans, the answer is as-built drawings. These measured documents give your designer, engineer, and the City of Ottawa the accurate baseline needed to plan new work and issue permits.
At Architectural Drawing, as-built drawing services are one of our most requested offerings. We measure Ottawa homes on-site using laser measurement tools, then produce precise CAD floor plans, elevations, and sections that serve as the foundation for permit drawings, design development, and construction documents.
What Are As-Built Drawings?
As-built drawings are scaled, dimensioned architectural plans that record a building in its current, actual condition. A qualified designer visits your home, takes detailed measurements, and produces professional drawings that show:
Floor plans — room layouts, wall positions, door and window locations, and exact dimensions for every level of the home
Elevations — exterior views showing building height, roof lines, window placement, grade levels, and cladding
Sections — vertical cross-cuts through the structure revealing ceiling heights, floor levels, foundation depth, and relationships between spaces
Site context — the building’s footprint on the lot, setbacks from property lines, driveways, and adjacent structures
The key distinction is accuracy to reality. Original construction drawings show what was intended to be built. As-built drawings show what actually exists — including any changes, additions, or modifications made over the life of the building.
As-Built Drawings vs Other Drawing Types
Homeowners often confuse as-built drawings with other types of architectural drawings. Here is how they differ:
For most Ottawa renovation projects, the process starts with as-built drawings of the existing home, which then become the base layer for the permit drawings showing your proposed changes. This is why the accuracy of the as-built is so important — every dimension in the design depends on it.
When Ottawa Homeowners Need As-Built Drawings
There are several common situations where as-built drawing services become essential:
Planning a renovation or addition — any project that alters the existing layout requires accurate existing-condition drawings as the starting point. Whether you are removing a load-bearing wall, finishing a basement apartment, or planning a home addition, the designer needs to know exactly what exists before proposing changes.
Applying for a building permit — Ottawa Building Code Services requires “existing” and “proposed” drawings for most renovation permits. If you do not have original construction drawings for your home — which is common for older Ottawa houses — as-built drawings fulfill the “existing conditions” requirement.
Legalizing unpermitted work — if a previous owner completed renovations without permits, as-built drawings document the current state of the property so a retroactive permit application can be prepared. This is a common requirement when a home inspection reveals undocumented structural changes before a sale.
Real estate transactions — buyers, sellers, and their lawyers increasingly request as-built drawings to confirm square footage, verify legal room counts, and identify any discrepancies between the listing and actual structure. Lenders and insurance companies may also require them for financing or coverage on properties with known modifications.
Insurance claims and documentation — after fire, flood, or storm damage, as-built drawings provide the detailed record adjusters need to evaluate the scope of loss and calculate replacement costs. Having these on file before an incident speeds up the claims process significantly.
Zoning compliance verification — when you need to confirm your home’s setbacks, lot coverage, or building height comply with Ottawa’s zoning bylaw, as-built drawings with a site plan provide the evidence needed for the City or a Committee of Adjustment application.
Need As-Built Drawings for Your Ottawa Home?
We measure, draw, and deliver CAD-ready as-built plans — typically within 5 to 7 business days of the site visit.
(613) 518-1387
What Is Included in Residential As-Built Drawings?
The scope of as-built drawings depends on the project, but a typical residential package for an Ottawa home includes:
For specialized projects, additional documentation may be needed — such as structural framing notes for wall removal permits, plumbing layouts for basement apartment conversions, or detailed site plans for accessory building permits.
How Our As-Built Drawing Process Works
Our as-built drawing services follow a straightforward process that we have refined over hundreds of Ottawa residential projects:
Initial consultation — we discuss your project goals, review any existing documents you have (original blueprints, surveys, previous permits), and determine the scope of the as-built drawings needed.
On-site measurement — our team visits your home and takes comprehensive measurements using laser distance tools and traditional methods. We document every wall, opening, ceiling height, and structural feature. For larger homes, we may use LiDAR-based 3D scanning for maximum accuracy.
CAD drafting — measurements are translated into professional scaled drawings using AutoCAD. Floor plans, elevations, and sections are produced with proper annotation, dimensions, and drawing conventions that Ottawa Building Code Services expects to see.
Review and delivery — we send you the completed drawings for review, make any necessary revisions, and deliver the final package in the formats you need (PDF, DWG, or printed sets). These as-builts then serve as the base for our design process if you are proceeding with renovation design.
Most residential as-built packages are completed within 5 to 7 business days of the site visit. Expedited service is available for time-sensitive projects. Learn more about our drawing costs and permit timelines.
How Much Do As-Built Drawings Cost in Ottawa?
The cost of as-built drawings depends on the size of the home, the number of floors, and the level of detail required. Here are typical ranges for Ottawa residential projects:
When as-built drawings are part of a larger renovation project, they are often bundled into the overall renovation drawing package at a reduced rate. For a detailed breakdown of all drawing and permit fee costs, see our pricing guide.
💡 Cost-Saving Tip: If you are planning a renovation, it is almost always more cost-effective to have the same firm produce both the as-built drawings and the permit drawings. This eliminates the duplication of site visits and ensures seamless transition from existing conditions to proposed design. Contact us for a combined quote.
Who Can Prepare As-Built Drawings in Ottawa?
As-built drawings for residential projects in Ontario can be prepared by several types of professionals:
Architectural technologists (BCIN holders) — qualified designers with a Building Code Identification Number can measure, draw, and take design responsibility for residential as-built and permit drawings. This is the most common and cost-effective option for houses.
Licensed architects (OAA) — for larger or more complex projects, architects provide as-built documentation as part of a comprehensive design service.
Structural engineers (P.Eng.) — when the as-built documentation involves structural assessment (such as identifying load-bearing walls), a structural engineer may prepare or stamp the drawings.
To learn more about the differences between these professionals, see our guide on architects vs architectural technologists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are as-built drawings used for?
As-built drawings document a building’s existing conditions and are used as the baseline for renovation design, building permit applications, retroactive permit legalization, real estate transactions, insurance documentation, and zoning compliance verification. They are the starting point for virtually any project that involves changing an existing building.
Do I need as-built drawings for a building permit in Ottawa?
Yes, for most renovation permits. Ottawa Building Code Services requires “existing” floor plans alongside “proposed” drawings so the plans examiner can understand what is changing. If you have the original construction drawings and they accurately reflect the current condition of the home, those may suffice. If not — which is common for homes built before digital records — as-built drawings are needed.
How long does it take to get as-built drawings done?
The site visit typically takes 2 to 4 hours depending on the size of the home. CAD drafting and delivery usually takes 5 to 7 business days after the measurement visit. For urgent projects, expedited turnaround of 2 to 3 business days may be available.
Can I use my original blueprints instead of as-built drawings?
Only if the original blueprints accurately reflect the current condition of the home. If any renovations, additions, or modifications have been made since original construction — even minor ones like moving a doorway or adding a bathroom — the original drawings no longer represent the actual building. In these cases, fresh as-built drawings are needed for permit accuracy.
What is the difference between as-built drawings and a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual assessment of a property’s condition (roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structure) and results in a written report. As-built drawings are scaled architectural plans showing the building’s layout, dimensions, and construction. They serve different purposes — a home inspection tells you the condition of systems, while as-built drawings tell you the exact geometry and layout of the building.
How accurate are as-built drawings?
Professional as-built drawings using laser measurement tools are typically accurate to within 5–10 millimetres for room dimensions. LiDAR 3D scanning can achieve accuracy within 2–3 millimetres. This level of precision is more than adequate for building permit applications, renovation design, and construction documents.
Do as-built drawings show plumbing and electrical?
Standard residential as-built drawings show plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, tubs) and electrical panel locations but do not typically include behind-wall routing of pipes or wiring. If your project requires detailed mechanical, electrical, or plumbing documentation — such as for a basement apartment conversion — this can be added to the scope as a separate layer.
Can as-built drawings be used to legalize unpermitted work?
Yes. As-built drawings are the first step in applying for a retroactive building permit. They document the current condition of the property (including any unpermitted modifications) so the City can review the work against the Ontario Building Code. Additional steps typically include structural assessment, inspection access (the City may require opening walls), and possibly engineering remediation if the work does not meet code.
What format are the drawings delivered in?
We deliver as-built drawings in PDF format for easy viewing and sharing, plus AutoCAD DWG files if you or your designer needs to work with the drawings digitally. Printed hard copies can be provided upon request. For Building Code Services submissions in Ottawa, PDF is the standard format for the My Service Ottawa online portal.
Do I need to be home during the measurement visit?
Someone must be present to provide access to all areas of the home, including the basement, attic (if accessible), and any locked rooms. You do not need to be present the entire time — once we have access, the measurement process is self-directed. The typical visit for a 2-storey home takes 2 to 4 hours.
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(613) 518-1387