Montréal As-Built Drawings & Measurement Services
Accurate existing-condition drawings for architects, engineers, contractors and property teams. We capture your building and deliver project-ready AutoCAD, Revit, PDF and point-cloud documentation.
- Montréal-based crews
- AutoCAD, Revit, PDF and point-cloud deliverables
- Every drawing checked against the point cloud
- Occupied buildings and heritage sites
What you'll receive
Pick the outputs your team actually works in — one capture can produce all of them.
AutoCAD Drawings
Existing-condition floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, sections and elevations ready for design and permit documentation.
Revit / BIM Models
Modelled at the level of development your project needs, exportable to IFC for OpenBIM workflows.
PDF Drawing Sets
A circulation-ready set for tenant packages, leasing, permitting and internal review.
Registered Point Clouds
The measured source of truth in E57, RCP or LAS — yours to keep and re-use on later phases.
Area Calculations
BOMA 2017 and IPMS 3 area take-offs from the same capture, for leasing and portfolio reporting.
MEP Documentation
HVAC, plumbing and electrical routing captured and modelled where coordination depends on it.
Bad existing drawings get expensive fast.
Most buildings have been altered since anyone last drew them. When the design team starts from a set that no longer matches the site, the cost shows up later — in redesign, in RFIs, in fabrication that does not fit. An accurate existing-conditions record gives everyone the same reliable starting point.
- Drawings that were never updated after past renovations
- No drawings at all for older or repeatedly sold buildings
- Field dimensions that contradict the plans on file
- Repeat site visits to re-measure what should already be documented
- Coordination clashes discovered on site instead of in the model
- Design and budget decisions built on unreliable information
Four steps from site to signed-off files
Send us your project
Building location, approximate size and the deliverables you need. Existing drawings help if you have them.
We capture the building
Our crew documents the existing conditions on site with the reality-capture workflow that suits the building and its access constraints.
We build your deliverables
The captured data is registered, then drafted in AutoCAD or modelled in Revit and checked back against the point cloud.
You get project-ready files
Your architect, engineer, contractor or property team receives documentation they can design, price and build from.
Built for the teams who rely on existing conditions
Architects
A dependable existing-conditions base to design into, so schematic decisions are not built on guesswork.
Engineers
Structural and MEP conditions documented where they actually run, for coordination and retrofit design.
General Contractors
Verified dimensions before pricing and prefabrication, and a record set at project close.
Property & Facility Teams
Current floor plans and area figures for leasing, tenant packages and building operations.
Developers
Know what you are buying or converting before the design fees start accumulating.
‘As-built drawings’ is one of those industry phrases that means five different things to five different people. To the architect it means a Revit model matching the wall in front of them. To the property manager it means a stamped floor plan they can put in a tenant package. To the GC it means the record set at project close. This page is written so that whichever of those you are, you leave knowing what to ask for.
DCMS has produced as-built documentation on more than 2,000 buildings across the Americas — everything from heritage stone façades in Vieux-Montréal to Fortune 500 retail rollouts. The workflow is battle-tested: capture with LiDAR, register the point cloud, model in Revit or draft in AutoCAD, QC against the point cloud, then deliver.
What ‘as-built’ actually includes
A useful as-built package usually contains more than a set of floor plans. Depending on the project, ours typically include the following deliverables — pick the ones you need and drop the ones you do not.
- Registered point cloud (E57, RCP, LAS) — the source of truth
- AutoCAD 2D floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, sections and elevations
- Revit BIM model at LOD 100, 200, 300 or 350
- PDF ‘drawing set’ for tenant packages, permitting or leasing
- Area calculations to BOMA 2017 or IPMS 3 standards
- MEP as-built modelling: HVAC, plumbing, electrical routing
- Site plans with topography, curbs, parking counts and light poles
The scan-to-drawing pipeline
There is no version of a fast, accurate as-built that skips point clouds anymore. Even simple projects benefit — the scan takes an afternoon, the drafting is verifiable, and if the client changes scope in three months you already have the data.
- Capture on site with terrestrial LiDAR (see our LiDAR services page)
- Register scans into a single coordinate system, QC to <5 mm residual
- Decimate and section for CAD/BIM production
- Draft in AutoCAD or model in Revit against the point cloud
- Internal QC pass — every wall, opening and grid checked against the cloud
- Client-facing review with markup round
- Signed-off delivery in the file formats requested
Turnaround: what fast actually looks like
‘Rush’ is the most abused word in this industry. Our published SLAs are the ones we actually hit on 98% of projects.
| Project type | Scan | Drawings | Full BIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail unit < 10k sq ft | Same day | 3 business days | 5 business days |
| Office floor 10–40k sq ft | 1 day | 5 business days | 10 business days |
| Full building 100k+ sq ft | 2–4 days | 10 business days | 3–4 weeks |
| Heritage / complex | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Choosing the right LOD (Level of Development)
LOD is the single line item that most affects your budget. Pick it based on how the model will be used, not on how impressive it sounds.
- LOD 100 — massing only. Useful for early feasibility and area studies.
- LOD 200 — generic elements sized and located. Enough for schematic design.
- LOD 300 — accurate elements with real dimensions. Default for renovations.
- LOD 350 — includes interfaces between systems. Required for coordinated MEP.
- LOD 400 — fabrication level. Rarely required as an as-built deliverable.
Common Montréal use cases we see every month
The Montréal market has its own rhythm. These are the scenarios that drive most of our local as-built work.
- Old Montréal heritage buildings being converted to boutique hotels or condos
- Downtown Class A office towers preparing for tenant fit-outs on Boulevard René-Lévesque
- Retail portfolio owners rationalizing space across Quartier DIX30 and Marché Central
- Institutional renovations on the McGill, Concordia, UQAM and HEC campuses
- Industrial buildings in Saint-Laurent, Anjou and the East End being repositioned
- Landlords running IPMS 3 area re-measurements to defend rental income
A short checklist before you commission an as-built
- Clarify who owns the point cloud after delivery (we always give it to you)
- Decide the LOD in advance — do not let it drift up mid-project
- Name a single point of contact on your side for markup rounds
- Confirm whether MEP is in scope (it doubles most Revit budgets)
- Provide any existing drawings, even if you suspect they are wrong
- Book access windows early if the building is tenanted
- Ask for a sample deliverable before signing — every good firm has one
What does an as-built survey cost?
There is no single price for an as-built, because two buildings of the same size can be very different jobs. These are the factors that move a quote:
- Building size and number of floors
- Complexity — heritage detail, MEP density, irregular geometry
- Access: occupied space, restricted hours, secure or hazardous areas
- Required accuracy and level of detail
- CAD drawings only, or a Revit/BIM model
- Whether MEP is in scope
- Timeline and site conditions
The fastest way to price your project is to send us the building location, approximate square footage and required deliverables. Our Montréal scanning cost guide walks through each variable in detail.
Working against a deadline?
Tell us what you need and when you need it, and we'll confirm dates with your quote.
Get an As-Built QuoteExplore related DCMS services and projects
Every capture project usually connects to two or three of these — click through for the details.
Guides and audience pages related to this service
Plain-language answers to the questions that usually come up while a scope is being agreed.
Frequently asked questions
What is an as-built drawing?+
An as-built is a set of drawings or a 3D model that reflects the current, physical condition of a building — as opposed to the original design intent. It captures every change, renovation and field modification that has occurred since construction.
How is an as-built different from a record drawing?+
Record drawings are the contractor's marked-up construction set at project close. As-builts, as we deliver them, are freshly measured today and are independent of any prior documentation.
Do I need Revit or is AutoCAD enough?+
If your design team works in Revit, deliver in Revit. If you only need floor plans for a lease package or a permit, AutoCAD 2D is faster and cheaper. Many clients get both from a single scan.
How accurate are your as-built measurements?+
Every drawing and model is produced against a registered point cloud of the building rather than from hand measurements, and each wall, opening and grid line is checked back against that cloud before delivery. Tolerance is agreed in writing for your project scope, because it depends on the capture method, the level of detail and how much of the building is accessible.
What is the difference between an as-built drawing and a point cloud?+
The point cloud is the raw survey — millions of measured points describing the building exactly as it stands. The as-built drawing or Revit model is the interpreted deliverable drawn from that cloud: walls, doors, levels and systems you can actually design and build with. Most clients receive both.
Can you deliver in IFC for OpenBIM?+
Yes. Our Revit models export cleanly to IFC 2x3 and IFC 4.
Can you provide AutoCAD files?+
Yes. 2D floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, sections and elevations are delivered as native AutoCAD drawings, with PDF sets alongside them if you need something to circulate.
Can you provide Revit models?+
Yes. We model in Revit at the level of development your project needs, from massing through coordinated systems, and hand over the native file plus IFC on request.
Can you work from existing drawings?+
Yes — send whatever you have, even if you suspect it is out of date. Old drawings help us plan the capture, and we will tell you where the building no longer matches them.
How much do as-built drawings cost in Montréal?+
Cost is driven by the size and complexity of the building, how accessible it is, whether you need CAD only or a Revit model, the level of detail, and your timeline. The fastest way to get a real number is to send the building address, approximate square footage and the deliverables you need; our as-built cost guide explains each variable first if you would rather read up.
How long does an as-built survey take?+
Capture on site is usually the short part; drafting and modelling drive the schedule. Duration depends on building size, complexity, the deliverables requested and site access — the project-type table above shows how those factors play out, and we confirm dates with your quote.
Can you scan occupied buildings?+
Yes. Most Montréal work is done in occupied space. We schedule around tenants and operations, and can work evenings and weekends.
What information do you need to quote my project?+
Building address, approximate square footage, the deliverables you need (AutoCAD, Revit/BIM, PDF set or point cloud) and your timeline. Any existing drawings and notes on access help us tighten the scope.
Do you provide BOMA area certifications?+
Yes — BOMA 2017 (office, retail, industrial, multifamily) and IPMS 3 area calculations are a standard add-on to any scan.
Get Your As-Built Quote
Send us your building location, approximate size and required deliverables. We'll review the scope and follow up about your project.
We also serve these areas
Crews mobilize daily across Greater Montréal. We regularly run as-built documentation & reality capture projects in Vieux-Montréal, Downtown Montréal and out to the West Island. Same scope, local logistics — pick your neighbourhood below.
Browse other DCMS capabilities
All services are delivered by the same in-house engineering team, so scopes can be combined into a single mobilization.
3D Laser Scanning, LiDAR & Drone Surveying
High-precision 3D laser scanning, aerial drone surveys and photogrammetry for comprehensive site documentation.
Digital Twins & BIM Models
Cloud-hosted digital twins and BIM coordination models (LOD 200–300) for long-term asset management.
Building & Structural Inspections
Comprehensive envelope inspections, deflection analysis and structural assessments using advanced LiDAR.
Engineering Consulting & Technical Analysis
Expert engineering analysis, technical diagnostics and MEP system documentation for retrofit and renovation.
Forensics, Condition Assessment & Remedial Planning
Technical investigations, heritage documentation and condition reports for remedial engineering.
Petrochemical / Mining / Aggregates Services
Specialized volumetric analysis, plant documentation and safety compliance for heavy industry operations.
Need accurate as-builts for a Montréal project?
Send us the building location, approximate size and required deliverables.