As-built drawings are often produced under significant time pressure at project completion. Outsourcing the drawing production can relieve this pressure, but only if it is set up correctly. This guide explains how to make it work.

Set up the brief clearly before work begins

Before sending any work to an outsourcing company, provide the original design drawings in editable CAD format, all redline markups organised by drawing number, any site survey data or photographs, your drawing standards and title block template, file naming conventions and revision designations, and a clear list of which drawings are in scope.

The more clearly this information is provided upfront, the less rework is required and the faster the drawings are completed.

Use a pilot batch to check quality

For a new outsourcing relationship, always start with a pilot batch of five to ten drawings before committing the full package. Review the pilot drawings carefully against your standards and provide detailed feedback.

Maintain a clear revision and tracking process

Use a shared drawing register that both your team and the outsourcing company can access, showing which drawings are in progress, which are awaiting markup, and which have been completed. Outsource CAD provides shared online trackers as standard on all projects.

Agree turnaround commitments

Agree specific turnaround commitments for each batch of drawings before the programme commences, and build in time for one round of review and amendment before final submission.

Keep communication tight

Assign a single point of contact on your side and ensure the outsourcing company has a single project manager on theirs.

Outsource CAD's as-built drawing service

Outsource CAD specialises in as-built drawing production from redline markups, site surveys, and point cloud data. Contact us for a free quote.