As-Built Documentation & Reality Capture in Montréal
Fast, accurate as-built surveys delivering AutoCAD plans and Revit BIM models with industry-leading turnaround times.
‘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
Explore related DCMS services and projects
Every capture project usually connects to two or three of these — click through for the details.
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 drawings?+
We commit to ±10 mm on structural elements and ±25 mm on MEP against the point cloud. The scan itself is ±2–3 mm.
Can you deliver in IFC for OpenBIM?+
Yes. Our Revit models export cleanly to IFC 2x3 and IFC 4.
How much does an as-built cost in Montréal?+
For AutoCAD floor plans expect $0.35–$0.85/sq ft. For a full LOD 300 Revit model expect $0.90–$1.80/sq ft. MEP scope adds 40–80%.
Can you do this in occupied buildings?+
Yes. Most Montréal work is done in occupied space. We schedule discreetly and can work evenings and weekends.
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.
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.
LiDAR, Photogrammetry & 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.
Request an as-built quote for your Montréal building
Send us the address, target LOD and preferred file format. We'll return a fixed-price quote within one business day.