Engineering Survey Services — Cadreatech
As-Built Survey Services in Kenya
Post-construction measurement and verification that your completed structure matches approved drawings — for county occupancy certificates, NCA compliance, project closeout, and legalisation of existing structures.
Total Station
Precision measurement
Civil 3D Output
DWG + deviation report
County-Ready
Occupancy cert support
The service explained
What Is an As-Built Survey?
An as-built survey — also called an as-constructed survey or record survey — is a post-construction measurement exercise that captures the actual positions, levels, dimensions, and alignments of a completed structure and compares them against the original approved design drawings.
Where the original approved drawings show what was intended to be built, the as-built survey documents what was actually built. These are rarely identical — site conditions, contractor adjustments, design variations, and ground conditions all introduce differences. The as-built survey quantifies and records these differences formally.
The output is an as-built drawing set — updated drawings that accurately represent the completed structure as it stands. This becomes the permanent record for the building's lifecycle, used by future engineers, county inspectors, and property owners.
What an as-built survey measures
- Actual building footprint and external dimensions against approved plan
- Finished floor levels and slab surface elevations
- Column, beam, and wall positions versus structural drawings
- Roof levels and ridge heights against approved sections
- Drainage pipe alignments and invert levels as installed
- Road formation levels and carriageway as-constructed levels
- Deviations in setbacks from boundaries versus approved drawings
- Underground service positions — drains, water lines, cables
When you need an as-built survey
- Applying for a county occupancy certificate after construction
- NCA project closeout and compliance certificate application
- Project handover from contractor to client or developer
- Legalising an existing structure built without prior approval
- Before selling or mortgaging a completed property
- After significant variations during construction from approved drawings
- For infrastructure projects — confirming roads, pipelines, and drainage as-installed
- When a building's original drawings are lost and a record must be recreated
- Dispute resolution — confirming what was actually built versus what was contracted
Applications
When As-Built Surveys Are Required in Kenya
As-built surveys sit at the end of a construction project but affect the entire future life of the asset.
🏛️ County Occupancy Certificate
Under Kenya's Physical and Land Use Planning Act and county building bylaws, an occupancy certificate is required before a building may be legally inhabited or used commercially. Most counties require a final inspection confirming conformance with approved drawings. An as-built survey provides this evidence formally.
🔒 NCA Project Closeout
The National Construction Authority (NCA) requires a completion certificate for registered projects. As-built documentation — showing the structure as constructed — supports this closeout process and the final NCA site inspection that precedes certificate issue.
🏦 Property Sale & Mortgage
Banks and SACCOs financing property purchases increasingly require as-built drawings and proof of occupancy certification. Buyers commissioning due diligence surveys also require as-built records before completing transactions on completed developments.
⚖️ Legalisation of Existing Structures
Structures built without county approval face demolition risk. Legalisation requires commissioning as-built surveys and structural integrity audits, then submitting as-built drawings to the county for retrospective approval. Cadreatech can manage the full as-built documentation package for legalisation.
🛣️ Infrastructure Handover
Road, pipeline, drainage, and sewer projects require as-built records as a contractual deliverable at practical completion. These documents become the operation and maintenance reference for the asset owner or county government throughout the infrastructure's service life.
📋 Renovation & Future Extension
Before renovating or extending an existing building, engineers need accurate as-built records of the existing structure. Where original drawings are lost, missing, or outdated, an as-built survey recreates the record set from field measurement.
Special case
As-Built Surveys for Legalisation in Kenya
Structures built without prior county approval are at serious legal risk. Legalisation is possible in most counties, but the process demands specific as-built documentation.
What legalisation requires
Counties in Kenya that permit legalisation of unapproved structures typically require: a full as-built survey and drawing set showing the structure exactly as it stands; a structural integrity assessment from a registered structural engineer; proof that the structure meets minimum setback, coverage, and height requirements; and payment of penalty fees — often double or triple the normal approval fees.
- As-built survey of the existing structure — positions, levels, dimensions
- As-built architectural and structural drawings prepared from survey data
- Structural integrity assessment and engineer's report
- Deviation analysis against current Kenya Building Code requirements
- County submission package — all documents in the format the county requires
Cadreatech can coordinate the full legalisation package — as-built survey, structural assessment, and drawing preparation — under one engagement. Contact us to discuss your specific structure and county.
What you receive
As-Built Survey Deliverables
All as-built deliverables are produced in formats accepted by county planning departments, NCA, and engineering project files.
01
As-Built Architectural Drawings (DWG / PDF)
Updated floor plans, elevations, and sections showing the structure as actually constructed — clearly marked "As-Built" with survey date
02
As-Built Structural Drawings
Structural elements — foundations, columns, beams, slabs — as measured on site, with any variations from approved drawings annotated
03
Deviation Report
Formal comparison of as-built measurements against approved design drawings — tabulating all dimensional and level deviations found
04
Survey Report (PDF)
Written report covering methodology, instrument details, accuracy statement, site conditions, and summary of findings
05
Coordinate & Level Schedule
Tabulated as-built coordinates and levels for all key structural reference points — columns, walls, corners, drainage inverts
06
Geotagged Site Photographs
Comprehensive photographic record of the completed structure at time of as-built survey, for county inspection and project file
Our process
How We Carry Out an As-Built Survey
Drawing Review
We review the original approved drawings to understand design intent and identify all elements requiring as-built verification
Site Mobilisation
Control points and benchmarks established on or near the completed structure using RTK GNSS and total station
Field Measurement
Systematic measurement of all structural elements, external dimensions, floor levels, drainage positions, and boundary setbacks
Drawing Preparation
As-built drawings prepared in AutoCAD from field data — updating the original approved drawing set with actual measured dimensions
Deviation Analysis
Comparison of as-built measurements against approved drawings, with all deviations tabulated and flagged for engineer review
Report & Issue
Signed as-built drawings, deviation report, and survey report issued in county-ready format for submission or project closeout
Frequently asked questions
As-Built Survey Questions — Kenya
What is the difference between as-built drawings and as-built survey?
An as-built survey is the field measurement exercise — physically measuring the completed structure on site using total station and GPS. As-built drawings are the output — updated CAD drawings produced from the survey data that show the structure as it was actually built. Cadreatech provides both as part of one integrated service. Some firms produce as-built drawings by updating original drawings based on contractor mark-ups, without field verification — this approach is less reliable and may not satisfy county inspection requirements.
How long does an as-built survey take in Kenya?
For a standard residential building, field measurement typically takes 1–2 days on site. Drawing preparation and report writing takes a further 3–5 working days. For large commercial or infrastructure projects, timelines are agreed at scoping stage. We can accommodate urgent requests — contact us to discuss your programme.
Can an as-built survey help if my building was constructed without county approval?
Yes. An as-built survey is the mandatory first step in the legalisation process for unapproved structures in Kenya. It documents what exists so the county planning department can assess whether the structure can be retrospectively approved. Cadreatech can manage the full documentation package — as-built survey, drawings, and structural assessment — in coordination with your county planning requirements.
What deviations from approved drawings are acceptable in Kenya?
Acceptable tolerances depend on the element type and the specific county's requirements. Structural elements are typically held to tighter tolerances than non-structural finishes. Minor variations within standard construction tolerances are generally acceptable; significant deviations in setbacks, heights, or structural positions may require formal amendment of approved drawings. Our deviation report clearly classifies each finding so your supervising engineer can advise on the appropriate response.
Do you produce as-built surveys for roads and drainage infrastructure?
Yes. Infrastructure as-built surveys are a major part of our work — covering roads, sewer lines, water mains, stormwater drains, culverts, and associated structures. Infrastructure as-builts include longitudinal sections, cross-sections, manhole schedules, invert level records, and pipe material and diameter records — in the formats required by county governments and infrastructure asset owners.
What happens if the as-built survey reveals significant deviations from approved drawings?
Significant deviations are flagged in the deviation report issued to your supervising engineer. The appropriate response depends on the nature of the deviation — minor variations may be noted and accepted; deviations affecting structural safety may require remedial works; deviations from approved setbacks may require county amendment applications. Cadreatech documents and reports; your supervising structural engineer and county planning office determine the required action.
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Request an As-Built Survey Quote
Tell us your structure type, location, and what the as-built is needed for — county occupancy certificate, NCA closeout, legalisation, or project handover. We will provide a quotation within 48 hours.
