What’s the Difference Between Shop Drawings vs Construction Drawings vs As-Built Drawings

Shop drawings vs construction drawings vs as-built drawings. If you work in the AEC industry, then you must have heard these terms quite often. To optimize construction documentation and the building process, it is crucial to understand the differences between them.

Shop Drawings vs Construction Drawings vs As-Built Drawings

Construction Drawings

Every real-estate project passes through several phases before the construction begins on site.

One of these is the design phase, which includes all specifications and architectural drawings necessary for construction. This is done with construction working drawings.

Construction working drawings provide a detailed layout or representation of a structure’s design. They provide detailed analysis of the construction process, including particulars like dimension, material, surface, electrical layout, and more.

They’re incredibly useful to communicate with all relevant parties and stakeholders regarding the structure and if everyone is satisfied with the plan. This makes them an essential guide of the construction process.

So, what is a working drawing?

In the design phase, design drawings are developed into a thorough and precise set of construction documents. These drawings and specifications have all the details, dimensions, and notes necessary to communicate the whole design intent to the builder.

They show how the building components should be connected, specify all of the materials, finishes, fixtures, equipment, and appliances to be installed, and coordinate these drawings with the structural engineer and any other consultant’s drawings.

With the advancement of BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology, these plans now include real-time updates and collaborative features that streamline coordination among various disciplines.

This is a critical step in successfully and accurately executing the design that has been invested in.

Typically, a full-fledged set of architectural construction documents should include:

• Plans

• Exterior and interior elevations

• Building and wall sections

• Interior and exterior details

• Schedules and finishes

• Framing and utility plans

There are several ways of creating effective construction documentation. You can read more about it or get in touch with us to discuss the details of your next construction project.

Shop Drawings

Working drawings help to represent components and communicate with end clients.

Shop drawings, on the other hand, are used by fabricators to know how the components will be manufactured and installed during the construction process. There are various types of shop drawings, including but not limited to millwork shop drawings, metal shop drawings, architectural shop drawings, structural shop drawings, MEP shop drawings, and stone and tile shop drawings.

What is a shop drawing?

Shop drawings are detailed plans that translate design intent. They provide the information necessary to manufacture, fabricate, assemble, and install all the components of a structure.

Shop drawings supplement working drawings. Consider them an add-on or a detailed development of construction working drawings.

They typically include fabrication and installation details, structural steel detailing, windows and door installations, and other MEP components.

With the help of shop drawings, you will be able to figure out the kind of materials you will require for the components, the dimensions of the proposed installations, and the timelines.

Advanced 3D modeling software allows for the creation of detailed visualizations of components, making it easier to understand complex assemblies and detect potential conflicts in shop drawings.

So, does this mean the custom shop drawings for your new project should be ready before the construction phase?

Definitely.

Getting CAD shop drawings drawn or documented should be one of the first to-dos on your checklist before your project kicks off.

You will get two birds with one stone if you have your construction shop drawings in place

• You will know your building’s design, installed components and specific details inside out, long before the construction begins.

• With detailed shop drawings in hand, your team – project managers, contractors, designers, and manufacturers – will be on the same page.

But what specifications comprise shop drawing details?

Based on the kind of project, the type of property, and your budget, your shop drawings will have varied electrical drawings, mechanical drawings, plumbing drawings, etc.
The type of information present in the shop drawings will also depend on the kind of shop drawings they are. Having said that, there is generally some information that will be present in all shop drawings.

Essential details that your shop drawings must include:

• Information required for fabrication, such as dimensions and special instructions, including connection details

• Applicable fabrication standards

• Installation and erection information

• Dimensions that require on-site verification

• Comparisons to construction documents to enable approval by the architect or engineer

• Notes on changes from the construction documents to enable approval by the architect or engineer

As-built Drawings

Also known as record drawings or red-lined drawings, as-built drawings are documents that allow you to compare and contrast the design versus final specifications. They provide a detailed blueprint of the building and the land around it as actually constructed in the end.

So, what are as-built plans?

As-builts are defined as a “revised set of drawings submitted by a contractor upon completion of a project or a particular job. They reflect all changes made in the specifications and working drawings during the construction process and show the exact dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work completed under the contract.”

The final as-built drawings include all of the following, as well as every other change made during the construction phase of a project:

• Modifications

• Field changes

• Shop drawing changes

• Design changes

• Extra works

Why should you have as-built architectural drawings?

Let’s quickly understand what is the purpose of as built drawings?

As-built construction documents reflect the actual structure or the building – not as it was conceived as idea, but as it actually stands.

Buildings don’t always stick to plans and the final structure may be slightly or significantly different to the original idea thus they provide accurate data for creating future architectural drawings/renovations, ensuring that any new plans are based on the current state of the building.

As-built drawings are developed by contractors and sub-contractors from red-lined drafts and are essential to your construction project.

They also provide a reliable reference for maintenance and repair work, helping to locate and address issues accurately.

This is true for a variety of reasons:

• Offer insights into safety: With as-built drawing plans, process hazard analysis and safety management become easy to achieve.

  Since the plans show where equipment shut-off valves are located, you can develop emergency evacuation plans, install safety equipment and set up contingency plans around your building perimeter.

• Facilitate future repairs and renovations: Since the as-built drawing process takes into account only the final erected structure and installed components, they come in handy for any maintenance work in future.

  They serve as construction documents and shop drawings when the need to renovate an old structure arises. They also ensure that retrofits, if required, are carried out efficiently.

• Maintenance and operations are a breeze: As-built drawings assist in maintaining and operating structures easily because they have a clear documented history of the building.

  They also include electrical as built, mechanical as built, and plumbing as built, allowing faster repairs by quick reference.

  Assists in safety inspections by providing detailed information on the placement of safety systems and structural elements.

  Without custom as-built drawings, determining installed components, locating them, and then repairing them is time-consuming and expensive.

Shop Drawings vs Construction Drawings vs As-Built Drawings: Quick Comparison

Here’s a simple side-by-side look at how these three types of drawings differ:

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand the difference between shop drawings vs construction drawings vs as-built drawings.

Do you need shop drawings, construction drawings, or as-built drawings? Get in touch with BluEntCAD today for all construction documentation services! If you want to see how we’ve helped companies like yours, check out our portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are shop drawings in construction simple language?Shop drawings in construction, also known as shop detail drawings are highly detailed blueprints that are created for installers, manufacturers and fabricators that guides them on how a particular component is made in the building. In layman words, shop drawing meaning is to convert general design into step by step instructions. Shop Drawing Example – A kitchen shop drawing will include everything about a wooden cabinet such as from size of each panel to the type of screws and joints needed to built it.

What are as built drawings in simple language?As built drawings in construction refers to technical blueprints of the building/structure after it has been built. It documents the deviations/changes/modifications from the original construction plans. Take them as final versions of the structure that tells what was built and not what was planned originally.Feel free to reach out our CAD specialists for a as built drawing sample.

What are construction drawings in simple language?Building Construction drawings are simply the 2D graphical representation of the proposed building/structure design comprising of layout, dimension, component and framework. These are the blueprints that guide the execution of the project.

Are shop drawings same as construction drawings?No. Construction drawings show the overall design of the building, while shop drawings explain how individual components will be manufactured and installed.

Who prepares shop drawings?Shop drawings are usually prepared by contractors, suppliers, or specialist fabricators—not by architects. However, architects and engineers must review and approve them before work starts.

Who approves shop drawings?They are typically reviewed and approved by the architect or engineer to ensure they match the design intent before fabrication begins.

Are shop drawings legally binding?No. Shop drawings are not legal contract documents. They simply show how a contractor or fabricator plans to execute the design. The final authority lies with the signed construction drawings and specifications.

Do construction drawings include installation details?Construction drawings show the design intent and layout, but they don’t usually explain step-by-step installation methods. That level of detail is provided in shop drawings.

What’s included in a full set of construction documents?A typical set of building construction drawing includes floor plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and specifications covering materials, finishes, fixtures, and systems.

What are the three types of construction drawings?The types of construction detail drawings include:

• Architectural construction drawings – layouts, floor plans, and finishes

• Structural construction drawings – beams, columns, and foundations

• MEP construction drawings – mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems

What is the difference between shop drawings and as-built drawings?Shop drawings are created before construction to show how parts will be made and installed. As-built drawings are created at the end of a project to record how the building was actually constructed, including all changes.

How are as-built drawings different from red-line drawings?Red-line drawings are quick markups made during construction. As-built drawings are the finalized, cleaned-up version that formally documents the completed project.

Do you need as-built drawings for renovations?Yes. They capture the exact final structure, making renovations, repairs, and upgrades much easier and more accurate.

Why are as-built drawings important for future projects?They provide a reliable record for maintenance, safety planning, compliance, and any future modifications. Without them, locating components or planning changes can be time-consuming and costly.

When in the project timeline are these drawings used?

• Construction drawings: used at the start to guide building.

• Shop drawings: used during construction for fabrication and installation.

• As-built drawings: created at the end as the final record.

What is the difference between construction and as-built drawings?Construction drawings are the original 2D blueprints prepared by architects and designers of the building/structure and is prepared before construction. They show the design intent and guide how the building should be constructed. As-built drawings, on the other hand, are created after the project is finished. They record the actual construction and includes any changes or modifications made on site.