Record Drawings and As-Builts Are Not the Same Thing
Many candidates - and even many practitioners - use "record drawings" and "as-built drawings" interchangeably. The ARE does not. These are distinct documents with different purposes, different preparers, and different contractual statuses. Getting this distinction wrong on the exam can cost you a correct answer on what seems like a straightforward question about project closeout.
As-Built Drawings (Contractor's Record)
As-built drawings are maintained by the contractor throughout construction. They are a set of the construction documents (typically prints of the architect's drawings) on which the contractor's field supervisor marks all deviations from the originally issued drawings: relocated pipes, shifted column lines, different dimensions of poured concrete, actual locations of underground utilities, and similar field changes. As-built drawings are a contractual requirement - AIA A201 requires the contractor to maintain them throughout the project. They are submitted to the architect and owner as part of the project closeout package.
Critically, as-built drawings are prepared by the contractor, not the architect. They are marked-up prints with handwritten notations, not professionally drafted drawings. The contractor is responsible for their accuracy, and the architect is not required to verify that every contractor notation is correct.
Record Drawings (Architect's Responsibility)
Record drawings are professionally prepared drawings that reflect the actual conditions of the completed project, incorporating the field changes documented in the contractor's as-built markups. The architect (or engineering consultants) prepare record drawings by updating the original CAD or BIM files to show actual as-built conditions. Record drawings are a cleaner, professionally formatted document that can be used by the owner, future architects, or facility managers for renovation work, additions, or facility management.
Under the standard AIA agreements, record drawings are an additional service - not part of the basic scope. The owner must specifically request them and pay for them separately from the basic fee. This is a frequent exam question: the architect is not required to prepare record drawings as a basic service.
The Distinction in Summary
| Factor | As-Built Drawings | Record Drawings |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared by | Contractor | Architect (additional service) |
| Format | Marked-up prints | Updated CAD/BIM files |
| Accuracy guaranteed by | Contractor | Architect (based on contractor's as-builts) |
| Required under AIA A201? | Yes (contractor) | No (additional service under B101) |
| Quality | Field notes, variable quality | Professional, formatted documents |
Key Exam Points
- As-built drawings = contractor's marked-up field record; required under A201.
- Record drawings = architect's professionally updated drawings; additional service under B101.
- Architect is NOT required to verify the accuracy of contractor as-built markups.
- Record drawings are based on contractor as-builts but updated to professional drawing standards.
- If the owner wants record drawings, they must specifically contract for them as an additional service.
Study PjM on AREprep
AREprep’s PjM flashcards cover every concept on this exam with spaced repetition, and the practice exams mirror the real question formats so the actual test feels familiar.