As-Built Survey, Documented
An as-built survey documents what was actually constructed: locations and elevations of structures, utilities and site work, compared against the approved plans. Municipalities require it for permit closeout and lenders for draw releases. Typical cost is $700 to $2,500 with 1 to 2 weeks turnaround.
The price range and turnaround for the job you describe appear here.
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What a as-built survey is
Design drawings say what should exist; the as-built survey proves what does. A licensed surveyor locates the finished work: foundations (the pre-pour version of that check is a form board survey), finished floors, utility inverts, storm structures, pavement grades, and overlays it on the approved design so deviations are visible line by line. It is the document that closes permits, releases bonds and settles "who moved what" arguments. What it costs, and why published as-built prices range from a few hundred dollars to six figures, is broken down in the as-built survey cost guide. On a new house it is the last survey in the build, and the full survey sequence for building a house shows where it falls and what it typically costs.
On active projects, milestone as-builts (foundation certificate, pre-slab, final) catch problems while they are still cheap to fix. Foundation location certificates in particular save builders from setback disasters. Many firms pair as-builts with construction staking under one contract, and larger sites use drone mapping for recurring documentation.
When you need one
- Municipal permit closeout or certificate of occupancy
- Foundation location certificate before framing
- Lender draw release requiring proof of completed work
- Utility as-builts for the city or utility district
- Disputes over whether work matches the approved plans
As-built survey cost
| Scenario | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Foundation / single-structure certificate | $700 - $1,200 |
| Residential site as-built (full lot) | $900 - $1,800 |
| Commercial site or utility as-built | $1,500 - $2,500+ |
Scope is the price driver: a foundation certificate is one visit; a full commercial closeout with utility inverts is several. Towers, cranes and tall buildings near an airport need a different as-built: the FAA 1A or 2C certification letter behind the supplemental notice, due within 5 days of topping out. Full market context in the land survey cost guide.
Turnaround
1 to 2 weeks; single-structure certificates often deliver within days, which matters when framing crews are waiting.
What you get
- Sealed as-built drawing overlaid on approved design
- Structure, utility and grade locations with elevations
- Deviation notes where built work departs from plan
- Format accepted by your municipality or lender
How matching works for this survey
1.
Describe the parcel above: state, property type, size. Two minutes, free for clients.
2.
Licensed surveyors listed for your county quote it with scope and turnaround, in their own words.
3.
Compare and pick. You talk only to the surveyor you choose, and the crew date goes on the calendar.
As-built survey questions
How much does an as-built survey cost?
Foundation certificates run $700 to $1,200, full residential lots $900 to $1,800, and commercial or utility closeouts $1,500 to $2,500 and up with scope.
Who requires as-built surveys?
Municipal permit offices at closeout, lenders before releasing draws, and utility districts accepting new infrastructure. Some jurisdictions require a foundation certificate before framing may start.
What is the difference between an as-built and a record drawing?
A record drawing is the contractor's marked-up set. An as-built survey is independent, field-measured and sealed by a licensed surveyor, which is what reviewers and lenders actually rely on.
What do as-built plans cost, and are they the same thing?
They are not the same product. As-built plans or record drawings are marked up by the contractor or the design team from field notes and often cost little beyond the drafting time, commonly $300 to $1,200 on a small project. An as-built survey is field-measured by a licensed surveyor and sealed, which is why it runs $700 to $2,500 and why permit offices and lenders ask for the survey when the plans will not do.
How fast can I get a foundation certificate?
Days, not weeks, when a local crew has an opening. That schedule visibility is exactly what matched quotes give you.
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