Capturing As-Built Measurements for Remodel Projects


The as-built home with an overlay drawing of the proposed remodel and addition.

Author's PortraitBy Kendra Dorosh

How do remodeling professionals capture as-built measurements?  Paper, Napkin, App, or Laptop software?  Chief Architect software surveyed remodelers and found 75% measure as-built homes by hand using paper and pencil.  The compounding effects of repetition have made this an efficient process. If the system works, why change?

What is an As-Built plan?

The As-Built plan refers to the original condition of the house before remodeling. Remodeling projects and home additions start with as-built measurements, also called red-line drawings or record drawings. It’s vital to map out the as-built plan as precisely as possible.

In August 2019, Chief Architect surveyed over 50 remodelers asking three key remodeling questions:

1) How do you get your As-Built Measurements?   

2) How do you import As-Built Measurements into Chief Architect

3) What is your biggest need for Remodeling software?

1. For Remodeling Projects, how do you get your As-Built Measurements?

75% of remodelers measure as-built homes by hand using paper and pencil from the survey responses.  Less than 8% use software.  Reasons people are not using software vary, but many cite the efficiency of using technology at a client’s home. 

There are many specialty apps designed to capture as-built measurements, the majority of people are still finding the most success with taking these measurements by hand and then later importing them into their remodeling software. Remodelers can simply do it faster on paper than struggling with a tablet app and they want to avoid being in a client’s home any longer than necessary.  A detailed checklist for as-built measurements helps to avoid missing key information.  You will find an As-Built Checklist below from David Heimann. 

Respondents said they have tried one or more of the various mobile applications designed specifically for capturing as-built measurements. The overwhelming consensus seems to be that these apps can be frustrating because they cannot model real-life remodel conditions, such as misaligned walls, multiple stories, vaulted ceilings, etc.  In fact, Chief Architect discontinued its own Room Planner app because it lacked the sophistication of Chief Architect’s desktop version.  And now that laptops, such as the Microsoft Surface, are easily portable and work with Bluetooth lasers, remodelers have access to Chief Architect’s most powerful software for as-built measurements and conditions. 

Survey Results for how re modelers are getting their as-built measurements.

2. Do you import As-Built Measurements into Chief Architect Software? 

Just over 30% of respondents that use software for As-Built measurements import it into Chief Architect. Many manually input the measurements due to compatibility, such as files that are created as images, pdfs or proprietary formats.

Survey results for whether or not remodelers are importing their as-built measurements into software.

3. What is your biggest need for Remodeling software?

The most commonly cited request for remodeling software is help to isolate the “as-built” from “new” in a remodel project.  In the construction drawings, people want to show walls that will be removed or how a new addition will be overlaid on the home.  Some building departments may require the as-built overlay.  A similar overlay in 3D could help the remodeler show the client how the new project compares to the current as-built.  Chief Architect’s reference display can accomplish both of these tasks for overlaying an as-built in 2D & 3D – you can see how in this summary video

At Chief Architect, we’re always striving to keep up with the latest trends in the remodeling industry, so that we can provide the best remodeling software available. Remodeling software enhancements are an important focus which is why we asked the survey questions and we will continue to ‘remodel’ our software.  Thank you to our customers who took the time to answer the survey questions! Leave a comment below to let us know how you’re capturing your as-built measurements.

Remodeling Resources

How-to resources on remodeling using Chief Architect software

  • Learn how to configure a Leica wireless Bluetooth laser meter with Chief Architect to help improve your as-built capture process
  • Learn to use reference display to show as-built, demo and new construction components in plan views and 3D views
  • Remodeling video playlist

As-Built-Existing Plan Checklist

Have you ever spent hours on-site only to get home to your drafting table or software to realize that you’re missing key information or measurements? The table below was provided to us from David Heimann at East Wind Designs

Checklist for Capturing As-Built - Exterior
Take Pictures of Exterior Elevations
Take Pictures of Exterior Perspectives
Take Pictures of Site, Lot, Terrain, Vegetation
Exterior Wall Thickness
Siding Material and Size
Ext. Window and Door Trim Material and Size
Locate all Ext. windows and doors
Locate Utilities, Meter Location, Electric (overhead, bury, etc.)
Phone, etc.
Foundation Type, Size, Height Above Grade
Roof Pitch and Material
Sketch Elevations (Exterior)
Sketch Perimeter of Building or Dimension Google Earth Image
Site plan- Google Earch, MTCADASTRAL, Survey, etc.
Locate and Dimension as Needed to Fill in Missing Info
Decks- Locate on Sketch, Note Railing Height, Spacing, Height above Grade and Related to Subfloor
Exterior Stairs, Locate on Sketch, Note Riser Height and Tread
Checklist for Capturing As-Built - Interior
Take Pictures of Interior Elevations
Take Pictures of Ceilings
Take Pictures of Floors
Interior Wall Thickness
Interior Wall Finish (Gyp. Bd, Plaster, etc.)
Sketch Floor Plan
Locate Interior Doors, Note Sizes on Sketch
Interior Door and Window Trim (Size, Material, Finish, Window Coverings)
Base trim (Size, Material and Finish)
Crown Molding (Size, Material and Finish)
Flooring Type (Per Room, Note on Sketch)
Fireplace-Locate and Detail on Sketch
Vaulted Ceilings- Which Room, Height at Peak
Ceiling Height(s), Note on Sketch Per Room
Cabinets (Locate, Describe and Detail on Sketch)
Countertops
Backsplash
Stairs-Locate on Sketch, Note: Rise, Run, Tread and Riser Height
Checklist for Capturing As-Built - Electrical and Plumbing Fixtures, HVAC
Outlet Locations (Kitchen and Bath)
Electrical Panel (Interior) Location
Switch Location and Lead to FIXTURE
Light Fixture and Locations
Furnace/Heat Source- Type, Size, Location
Water Heater
Plumbing Fixtures Located on Sketch

Back to top

8 comments

I have tried using Room Planner with a Bosch laser measuring device. In fact I spent $800 on a tablet in order to do so. It’s good that Chief has discontinued Room Planner, because it was cumbersome, inaccurate, and didn’t yield useful results. Now, I take my Bosch, my assistant (husband), and paper and pen. I work from a desktop with dual screens…can’t carry that into the field. Maybe if/when I buy a laptop…but unlikely I’ll do that.

Chief Architect

Thank you for your feedback, Viki. We appreciate your input.

Great post! Thanks for sharing the knowledge and keep up the good work.

Chief Architect

Thank you, Brian!

My kingdom for a fast way to walk through a house, measure it with scanning technology, and import it into Chief.
It currently takes me 2-3 hours PER FLOOR to do interior measurements. I am averaging 4-6 hours on each remodeling project just taking measurements (not incl. drive time).
SURELY the technology exists that will do this without a tape or laser tape?

Jake

Ted: looks like technology is getting pretty close to be able to do this!
The latest iPad Pro has a LiDAR sensor, and apps are starting to come out to quickly scan rooms that can then be converted into 2D or even 3D CAD models. Some examples:
https://canvas.io/ (seemingly the best, but they charge per room to process so can get expensive)
https://www.locometric.com/roomscan (not as comprehensive options but much cheaper, and apparently integrates with Bluetooth laser measures).

Anyway – not endorsing either of those (and I’m not sure how easy it is to import their outputs) but it’s cool to see what people can do already – I have heard iOS14 will have even better LiDAR support so expect to see more of these in the near future.

Kasper Schmidth

Can you please advise me on something that’s confusing as hell. The 3D architectural rendered drawings of let’s say an exterior of an entire house designed from scratch…are exact measurements important or is this just a visual for the architects/contractors/home owner? This is something that I don’t quite understand as a beginner in 3D architectural drawings. Wonderful written piece! Tks!

Chief Architect

Hello Kasper,

Thank you for your question. The importance of the accuracy of your measurements will depend on the project. If you are intending to build off of your design, the measurements should be accurate. If it is purely to convey the style or visualize the design then the measurements should be close but don’t have to be exact. Keep in mind that the program builds materials lists off of the design.

We hope that helps!
Chief Architect Sales


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.
*Required fields