Shop drawings and as-built drawings sit at opposite ends of a construction project — one looks forward to fabrication, the other records what was actually built. Mixing them up causes real coordination problems.
What Are Shop Drawings?
Shop drawings are detailed technical drawings produced by a contractor, subcontractor, fabricator or supplier that show exactly how a specific component will be manufactured and installed. They translate the architect’s and engineer’s design intent into precise, buildable instructions — think steel connections, curtain wall assemblies, ductwork, millwork or precast panels.
Unlike the design drawings, shop drawings are created before fabrication and must be reviewed and approved by the design team to confirm they meet the contract documents.
What Are As-Built Drawings?
As-built drawings are the opposite: they document a building exactly as it was constructed, including every change made during the build. They are produced after work is complete and are a core part of as-built documentation.
Shop Drawings vs. As-Built Drawings
| Shop drawings | As-built drawings |
|---|---|
| Created before fabrication/installation. | Created after construction is finished. |
| Show how a component will be made and fitted. | Show how the building was actually built. |
| Produced by contractors/fabricators. | Recorded from field verification and surveys. |
| Forward-looking: fabrication instructions. | Backward-looking: a permanent record. |
Where 3D Laser Scanning Fits
On complex jobs, shop drawings are increasingly validated against reality before anything is fabricated. A quick 3D laser scan of the installed conditions confirms that field dimensions match the shop drawing — catching clashes with structure or MEP before expensive parts are cut. The same scan data later becomes the basis for accurate as-built drawings and a coordinated BIM model.
Need Accurate As-Built Drawings?
simpleSCAN 3D verifies field conditions and delivers precise as-built drawings and BIM models from a single 3D laser scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are shop drawings used for?
They give fabricators and installers precise instructions for manufacturing and fitting a specific component, and let the design team verify it meets the design intent before fabrication.
Who prepares shop drawings?
Contractors, subcontractors, fabricators or suppliers prepare them, then submit them to the architect and engineer for review and approval.
Are shop drawings the same as construction drawings?
No. Construction (design) drawings show overall design intent; shop drawings detail how an individual element will actually be built and installed.
How do as-built drawings differ from shop drawings?
As-built drawings record the finished building after construction, while shop drawings are produced beforehand to guide fabrication.
