Why Every Property Manager Needs As-Builts BEFORE Violations or Projects Begin
- Serina Calhoun
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Why Every Property Manager Needs As-Builts BEFORE Violations or Projects Start
If you’ve ever dealt with a building violation, you know how quickly things can spiral. Every violation requires a permit to correct it, and thanks to recent “streamlining” efforts at the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), getting that permit has become a lot more complicated.
Here’s the catch: almost every permit now requires accurate floor plans.
Whether you're dealing with a violation, trying to comply with the soft-story ordinance, the audible fire alarm upgrade, or exterior element inspections, you’ll need accurate floor plans of every level of the building. And if you don’t already have them? You’re in for a wait.
Measuring a building, even a single unit, can be time-consuming and expensive. If you don’t already have Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) files on hand, you could lose weeks, if not months, trying to achieve DBI compliance while penalties and fees pile up.
Accuracy matters. A lot.
Plans that are off by even an inch can completely derail your project. We’ve seen it: the moment a frame accidentally blocks a tenant’s car door from opening, or an incorrectly sized wall interferes with a compact kitchen layout, the entire project is blown. Without accurate base plans, even your architect or engineer is flying blind. Every inch matters.
That’s why we always refer our clients to Fog City As-Builts or Mark Ma - two vendors we trust and recommend as part of our Property Atlas Vendor Program. Both use 3D scanning technology that’s fast, reliable, and far more affordable than hiring a licensed architect to document your building from scratch.
They’re usually booked out about 3-4 weeks, and it usually takes another 1-2 weeks to get your final plans, so you’ll want to get ahead of it before you’re under a deadline. At about $0.30/sq ft, the value is unbeatable and it’s one of the most worthwhile things you can do to get your building into compliance.
Our recommendation? If you’re buying or managing a building and you don’t already have up-to-date as-builts, get them done now. Start with the floor plans, exterior elevations, and one building section. These plans will help you comply with existing programs, prep for future CapEx projects, and save weeks of delays when (not if) the next state or city mandate drops.
It’s not just about staying compliant. It’s about being proactive, and being ready.
Brought to you by Property Atlas
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