Measured Drawings

Measured drawings (or "existing condition drawings") are accurate CAD documentation of existing buildings, created through comprehensive on-site surveys that measure and record every detail of a building structure.

WHAT ARE MEASURED DRAWINGS?

Measured drawings document existing buildings through precise field measurements, creating accurate floor plans, elevations, and details showing:

Building Layout:

• Room dimensions and configurations

• Wall locations and thicknesses

• Door and window locations and sizes

• Ceiling heights

• Floor-to-floor heights

Architectural Features:

- Built-in cabinetry and millwork

- Stairs and railings

- Columns and structural elements

- Fireplaces and special features

- Exterior facades and details

Building Systems:

- Plumbing fixture locations

- Electrical panel and outlet locations

- HVAC equipment and vent locations

- Water heater and mechanical equipment

Site Features:

- Building footprint on property

- Property boundaries and setbacks

- Parking and driveways

- Landscaping and site features

The result: professional cad drawings providing an accurate record of existing conditions—the essential starting point for renovation planning.

WHY YOU NEED MEASURED DRAWINGS

RENOVATION PLANNING

You can't design a renovation without knowing what you're working with. Measured drawings provide the accurate baseline for:

- Developing renovation concepts and options

- Understanding structural constraints

- Planning additions and expansions

- Evaluating space reconfiguration possibilities

- Assessing code compliance issues

Designers use measured drawings as the foundation for renovation design—trying to design without accurate existing condition drawings leads to expensive surprises during construction.

CONTRACTOR BIDDING

Contractors need accurate existing condition information to bid renovation work properly:

- Understanding demolition scope

- Estimating structural modifications

- Planning new construction tie-ins

- Calculating material quantities

- Identifying potential complications

Without measured drawings, contractors must qualify bids with assumptions, often leading to change orders and cost overruns when assumptions prove incorrect.

PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Building departments require existing condition drawings for renovation permit applications, showing:

- What currently exists

- What will be demolished

- What will remain

- What will be new construction

You can't prepare proper demolition plans and permit documents without accurate measured drawings of existing conditions.

PROPERTY RECORDS

Measured drawings serve as valuable property records for:

- Facility management and maintenance planning

- Property marketing and sales materials

- Insurance documentation

- Tax assessment verification

- Future planning and modifications

HISTORIC DOCUMENTATION

Historic buildings benefit from measured drawings that:

- Document architectural significance

- Record historic details and craftsmanship

- Support preservation grant applications

- Provide records before restoration work

- Create archival documentation

OUR MEASURED DRAWING PROCESS

1. INITIAL CONSULTATION

We discuss your project needs:

- Why you need measured drawings (renovation, records, marketing)

- Building size and complexity

- Level of detail required

- Timeline requirements

- Special considerations (occupied buildings, access restrictions)

2. SITE VISIT & FIELD MEASUREMENT

We conduct comprehensive on-site surveys:

Exterior Measurements:

- Building perimeter dimensions

- Window and door locations and sizes

- Roof heights and configurations

- Exterior material documentation

- Site features and property boundaries

Interior Measurements:

- Room-by-room dimensions (length, width, height)

- Wall thicknesses at penetrations

- Door locations, sizes, and swing directions

- Window locations, sizes, and sill heights

- Ceiling heights (room by room)

- Stair dimensions and configurations

- Built-in features and millwork

- Structural element locations (columns, beams)

- Plumbing fixture locations

- Electrical panel and major equipment locations

Photographic Documentation:

- Overall building views

- Each room from multiple angles

- Architectural details and features

- Condition documentation

- Reference photos for later clarification

Field Notes:

- Detailed sketches with dimensions

- Material notations

- Condition observations

- Structural element documentation

- Notes about access restrictions or peculiarities

Depending on building size and complexity, field measurement may take 2-8 hours on site. Larger or more complex buildings may require multiple site visits.

3. CAD DRAWING DEVELOPMENT

Back in the office, we develop professional cad drawings from field measurements:

Floor Plans:

Scaled floor plans showing:

- Accurate wall locations with dimensions

- All doors with swing directions

- All windows with locations and sizes

- Room labels and uses

- Built-in features and fixtures

- Structural elements (columns, beams visible)

- Stairs with direction arrows

- Overall building dimensions

- Room area calculations

Building Elevations (when required):

- Exterior facade elevations showing architectural character

- Window and door locations matching floor plans

- Material notations

- Height dimensions

Building Sections (when required):

- Cut-through views showing vertical relationships

- Floor-to-ceiling heights

- Structural depth and construction

- Roof configuration

Details (when required):

- Enlarged drawings of specific features

- Historic detail documentation

- Special architectural elements

Site Plans (when required):

- Building footprint on property

- Property boundaries

- Setback dimensions

- Parking and driveways

- Landscaping features

4. QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW

We verify:

- Dimensional accuracy (measurements add up correctly)

- Drawing coordination (plans match elevations and sections)

- Completeness (all required information captured)

- Clarity (drawings easy to read and understand)

- Professional standards (proper notation, symbols, title blocks)

5. DELIVERABLES

We provide:

- PDF drawing sets for electronic distribution

- Plotted sets on 24" x 36" paper (if requested)

- Calculation sheets showing square footage by room and total

LEVEL OF DETAIL OPTIONS

Measured drawing projects vary in detail level depending on intended use:

BASIC DOCUMENTATION

- Floor plans with room dimensions

- Door and window locations

- Basic built-in features

- Square footage calculations

Good for: Property records, basic renovation planning, marketing materials

STANDARD DOCUMENTATION

- Detailed floor plans with all features

- Ceiling height documentation

- Structural element locations

- Basic plumbing and electrical locations

- Exterior elevations

Good for: Renovation design, permit applications, contractor bidding

COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENTATION

- Highly detailed floor plans

- Complete ceiling height surveys

- Detailed structural documentation

- All building system locations

- Exterior elevations and building sections

- Architectural detail drawings

- Condition assessment notes

Good for: Historic documentation, complex renovations, facility management records

We tailor documentation level to your needs and budget—not every project requires comprehensive documentation.

WHAT AFFECTS MEASURED DRAWING COST & TIME?

Building Size:

Larger buildings require more time to measure and document—a 1,200 SF home takes less time than a 10,000 SF commercial building.

Building Complexity:

- Multi-story buildings take longer than single-story

- Complex layouts with many rooms take longer than open plans

- Buildings with extensive built-ins require more detail work

- Historic buildings with detailed features require careful documentation

Access Conditions:

- Occupied buildings with furniture to work around

- Buildings requiring after-hours access

- Properties with access restrictions

- Buildings requiring safety equipment (lifts, scaffolding)

Detail Level Required:

Comprehensive documentation with elevations, sections, and details takes longer than basic floor plans.

Documentation Purpose:

Historic documentation and preservation projects require more careful, detailed work than simple property records.

Timeline Requirements:

Expedited timeline projects require additional resources and may cost more.

MEASURED DRAWINGS FOR RENOVATIONS

When planning renovations, measured drawings provide:

Design Foundation:

Accurate baseline for architects and designers to develop renovation concepts

Constraint Understanding:

Clear information about structural elements, ceiling heights, and existing conditions that constrain design options

Code Assessment:

Information needed to evaluate code compliance issues—room sizes, egress widths, accessibility conditions

Demolition Planning:

Clear documentation of what exists, enabling accurate demolition plans showing what will be removed

Construction Coordination:

Information contractors need to understand how new work will tie into existing construction

Surprises Minimization:

Thorough existing condition documentation reduces expensive construction surprises

MEASURED DRAWINGS FOR PROPERTY MARKETING

Real estate marketing benefits from professional floor plans:

Residential Sales:

- Home buyers want to see floor plans

- Accurate square footage for appraisals and valuations

- Professional presentation for listing materials

- Virtual tour and staging coordination

Commercial Leasing:

- Tenant prospects need space layouts

- Square footage calculations for lease rates

- Understanding space configurations and potential

- Professional marketing materials for brokers

Investment Properties:

- Documentation for prospective buyers

- Renovation potential assessment

- Property value verification

- Due diligence documentation

Professional measured drawings make properties easier to market and help buyers understand what they're purchasing.

MEASURED DRAWINGS FOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Building owners and facility managers use measured drawings for:

Maintenance Planning:

- Understanding building systems and equipment locations

- Planning renovations and updates

- Contractor coordination for repairs

- Space allocation and planning

Tenant Improvements:

- Baseline documentation for tenant improvement projects

- Understanding available spaces and configurations

- Planning build-outs and modifications

Record Keeping:

- Permanent building records

- Insurance documentation

- Accessibility compliance records

- Building code compliance documentation

Future Planning:

- Foundation for expansion studies

- Understanding building capacity and potential

- Long-term capital planning

Measured drawings become valuable assets for long-term property management.

MEASURED DRAWINGS FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Historic properties deserve specialized documentation:

Preservation Documentation:

- Recording architectural significance

- Documenting historic details and craftsmanship

- Creating archival records for historical societies

- Supporting National Register nominations

Restoration Planning:

- Understanding original construction and modifications

- Planning historically appropriate restorations

- Documentation for preservation grants

- Review board submission materials

Condition Assessment:

- Documenting existing conditions before restoration

- Recording deterioration and needed repairs

- Creating baseline for future monitoring

Archival Records:

- Permanent documentation of architectural heritage

- Records surviving if buildings are modified or demolished

- Research resources for architectural historians

We approach historic building documentation with the respect and care these significant structures deserve.

ACCURACY & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Measurement Accuracy:

We use professional measuring tools achieving:

- ±1/4" accuracy for room dimensions

- ±1/8" accuracy for detail measurements

- Verification measurements to ensure accuracy

Drawing Standards:

Our measured drawings follow professional architectural standards:

- Proper scales (typically 1/4" = 1'-0" for floor plans)

- Standard symbols and notation

- Complete dimensioning

- Professional title blocks with project information

- Clear, easy-to-read presentation

Quality Assurance:

Every measured drawing undergoes internal review ensuring:

- Dimensions add up correctly

- Drawing coordination (plans, elevations, sections match)

- Completeness (nothing missing)

- Professional presentation

COMMON QUESTIONS

"Why can't I just sketch the floor plan myself?"

Rough sketches lack the accuracy needed for renovation design, contractor bidding, or permit applications. Professional measured drawings provide verified dimensions and comprehensive documentation sketches can't match.

"Can't the contractor measure during bidding?"

Contractors making quick site visits often miss critical information, leading to qualified bids and change orders. Professional measured drawings enable accurate bidding and reduce construction surprises.

"The previous owner had floor plans—can we use those?"

Maybe. Verify accuracy—buildings are often modified over time, and old plans may not reflect current conditions. Inaccurate plans cause expensive problems during renovation.

"How accurate are measured drawings?"

Professional measured drawings are accurate to ±1/4" for overall dimensions. No field measurement is perfectly precise, but professional documentation is far more accurate than sketches or estimates.

"Do you use laser measuring or 3D scanning?"

We use professional laser measuring tools for distance and height measurements, combined with traditional measuring for verification. Full 3D scanning is available for specialized projects requiring that level of documentation but isn't necessary for most measured drawing projects.

"How long does it take?"

- Small homes (1,200-2,000 SF): 1-2 weeks

- Medium homes (2,000-4,000 SF): 2-3 weeks

- Large homes (4,000+ SF): 3-4 weeks

- Commercial buildings: 2-6 weeks depending on size and complexity

Timeline includes field measurement, CAD drawing development, and quality review.

GETTING STARTED

To commission measured drawings, we need:

1. Project Address - Where is the building?

2. Building Type & Size - Residential or commercial? Approximate square footage?

3. Purpose - Why do you need measured drawings?

4. Detail Level - Basic, standard, or comprehensive documentation?

5. Timeline - When do you need drawings?

6. Access - Is the building occupied? Any access restrictions?

We'll provide a proposal outlining scope, timeline, and fees based on your specific project.

MEASURED DRAWINGS START YOUR PROJECT RIGHT

Whether you're planning a renovation, documenting a historic building, preparing property marketing materials, or creating facility management records, professional measured drawings provide the accurate foundation you need.

Don't start your project guessing about existing conditions—invest in accurate documentation that will save time, money, and headaches throughout your project.

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