A plan is a map of a building. Link the design concept to the details needed to erect a structure. Blueprints, also known as architectural drawing sets, have been used since the 19th century and are a guide throughout the construction process. They are most commonly used by contractors to apply for building permits from the municipality in which construction is taking place. Once the plans have been filed by the contractor with the building department of that municipality, they are public records and technically accessible to anyone who wishes to view them.
However, finding plans for a building is not always as easy as you might think. Not all documents are saved digitally and some documents may not yet exist, especially for older structures. In some cases, the original may be in a box, deep in a storage unit, or in the basement of the county clerk’s office. Fortunately, in the 21st century, physical drawings are not the norm and drawings using CAD and 3D models and more likely.
Many architects will be called upon to perform additions to existing buildings or renovations to commercial spaces. In situations like that, blueprints of the original structure are necessary. But the question of how to find construction plans always arises and the answer is not always straightforward. Whether you’re a building owner embarking on construction or an architect looking to copy a commercial construction design, here are four ways to get those blueprints in your hands as quickly as possible.
Find the contractor who built the property
Begin your search with the contractor who originally built the property. If you don’t know who that person is, the county clerk should have your information on file. The county zoning board may also have the original building permit, which would have the contractor’s details. If you find the contractor, but he / she doesn’t have the blueprints, you may be able to direct it to someone who will.
The county clerk has the key (or document)
The other option is to start at the county clerk’s office. The county clerks are the ones who keep official records of documents related to construction and building permits. Each office operates differently, which means that the process for obtaining the permit or registration you need will be different. Some will charge a small fee to request access to the original files, so be prepared when requesting construction plans.
Locate the original owners of the property
If the building was purchased from the same people who built it, they may have a copy of the plans. If not, and they secured a construction loan to finance the building, the original lender may have the plans on file or may direct you to the construction company or contractor.
Consider an architecture expert
Another option for finding plans for a building is to obtain a reproduction of the plans. This would be done through an architect and is probably the most cost prohibitive, plus it is time consuming. Ideally, use an architect with prior experience and familiarity, either in the development of the property or in the type of structure being replicated.
The plan and “map” of a building are crucial in the design and construction process, but they are not always easy to find. There are several ways to find the blueprints, but it’s kind of a guessing game about who has what. Fortunately, more and more industry professionals are embracing technology applications to support online document recovery. Very soon, everyone will be able to geolocate and request access to each and every plan through innovative cloud-based tools.
