Service Detail

As-Built Surveys in Georgia

Documenting what was actually built, where it was actually built.

What is an As-Built Survey?

An as-built survey documents what was actually constructed on a site and exactly where it sits. A site plan or construction drawing shows what was intended. An as-built survey records the finished result: the building, the paving, the drainage, the utilities, and the other improvements as they exist on the ground once the work is done. It is a record of what is there, not a record of what was planned.

Most of the value comes from the comparison. An as-built survey is measured against the approved plans so that any differences are visible and documented: whether the structure sits where the plan placed it, whether dimensions match, whether finished elevations came in as designed, and whether the improvements fall within the required setbacks and clear of recorded easements. Field changes happen on nearly every project, and an as-built is how those changes get captured in writing. S&S Land Surveying measures and reports the conditions we find. The permitting authority, the design engineer, or the architect of record is who determines whether those conditions satisfy code and plan approval.

As-built work sits at the end of a sequence of construction surveys. Building staking comes first and puts the structure on the ground, marking the corners and offsets the crews build to. A foundation survey follows early in the build, verifying that the poured foundation landed where it was staked before framing goes up on top of it. The as-built survey comes last. Staking places it, a foundation survey checks it early, and an as-built documents the finished result for the permanent record.

Because it is the closing record, an as-built is usually driven by someone who needs proof. Common triggers include a final certificate of occupancy, a lender or title company closing out construction financing, confirmation that a completed structure sits within its setbacks and easements, documentation of water, sewer, storm, and electrical lines before they are backfilled and covered, and owners who want an accurate record of final conditions for their facility files. S&S Land Surveying performs as-built surveys throughout Northwest Georgia and the metro Atlanta region, including Polk, Floyd, Bartow, Paulding, Carroll, Haralson, Douglas, and Gordon counties, and communities such as Cedartown, Rome, Rockmart, Cartersville, and Dallas.

Who Needs an As-Built Survey?

  • Owners and builders closing out a project and applying for a certificate of occupancy
  • Lenders and title companies requiring documentation of the completed improvements
  • Anyone verifying that a finished structure sits within its setbacks and clear of easements
  • Contractors recording water, sewer, storm, and electrical lines before trenches are covered
  • Property owners documenting a completed addition, garage, pool, or driveway
  • Facility and property managers who need accurate records of final conditions for maintenance and future design

Our As-Built Survey Process

  1. Review the approved plans. We collect the approved site plan, construction drawings, recorded plat, and easement documents so the conditions we measure can be set against what was actually approved.
  2. Re-establish survey control. We recover or reset the property corners and control points used during construction so the as-built ties back to the same reference framework the design was built on.
  3. Measure the completed improvements. Our crew locates building corners, finished elevations, paving, drainage structures, utility lines and appurtenances, and the other constructed features using GPS receivers and robotic total stations.
  4. Compare against the plan. In the office we plot the measured positions over the approved design, calculate setback and easement clearances, and note where constructed conditions differ from the planned conditions.
  5. Deliver the as-built drawing. You receive an as-built survey sealed by a licensed Georgia surveyor showing measured locations, dimensions, and elevations for your lender, your building department, or your project file.

Why Choose S&S Land Surveying

40+ Years Experience

Founded by William "Bart" Sims, who brings more than 40 years of surveying experience to every project.

Licensed Georgia Surveyor

Your as-built drawing is prepared and sealed by a licensed Georgia land surveyor.

Plan-to-Field Comparison

We set the measured conditions against your approved plans, so differences are documented rather than assumed.

4.9 Stars, 50+ Reviews

Rated 4.9 on Google by homeowners, builders, and developers across NW Georgia.

As-Built Survey FAQ

How much does an as-built survey cost in Georgia?

As-built survey cost in Georgia depends on the size of the site, the number and type of improvements being documented, whether property corners and survey control have to be re-established first, and the level of detail required, such as finished elevations or underground utility locations. Contact S&S Land Surveying for a free estimate based on your specific project.

What is the difference between an as-built survey and a boundary survey?

A boundary survey establishes where the property lines are. An as-built survey documents the improvements that have been constructed on the property and shows where they sit in relation to those lines, easements and setbacks. The two are related because an as-built has to be tied to accurate boundary information, so if no recent boundary survey exists, boundary work may be needed first.

When during a project is an as-built survey done?

An as-built survey is performed after construction is finished, or in stages as individual portions of the work are completed. Utilities are an important exception, since they need to be located while the trenches are still open and before they are backfilled. In the normal sequence, building staking places the structure, a foundation survey verifies it early in the build, and the as-built survey documents the finished result.

Who requires an as-built survey?

As-built surveys are commonly requested by building departments before a final certificate of occupancy, by lenders and title companies closing out construction financing, by engineers and architects closing out a project, and by owners and facility managers who need an accurate record of what was built. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and project type, so confirm what your local permitting authority expects.

What do I receive with an as-built survey?

You receive an as-built drawing sealed by a licensed Georgia surveyor showing the measured locations and dimensions of the constructed improvements, distances from those improvements to the property lines and easements, and finished elevations where the project calls for them. Drawings are delivered in the format your design team, your lender, or the permitting office requires.

Related Services

As-built surveys are the closing step in a construction survey package that usually includes these services:

Need an As-Built Survey?

Contact us today for a free as-built survey estimate.

Request Free Quote