FROM THE DAY of the initial groundbreaking to the final presentation ceremony, a typical construction project is comprised of a myriad of diverse elements and materials, and literally millions of details. While some of these details are evident in the completed project, most of them are hidden within the footings, walls and ceilings of the building or structure.

CONCEALED FROM VIEW in the finished project are the materials and the construction of the foundation and structural elements of the core, the wall and partition framing, the ceiling support and bracing systems, the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, among the many others, that comprise the modern high-tech commercial and industrial facility.

IN THE FUTURE, when the needs and requirements of the facility change, when renovation is required, it will be impossible to accurately estimate the extent of the work required since the underlying details are concealed. Standard "as-built" drawings, almost without exception, are not detailed to make the necessary estimates, leading to cost overruns as change orders are issued to cover "concealed pre-existing conditions".

Additional documentation in the form of detailed photographs, produced at the time of the original construction, can alleviate this problem, and reduce the future costs associated with renovation and construction.

Remember, once the backfill is in place, the concrete poured, the walls and ceiling spaces built, systems installed and then covered...

That's it...!

There is no chance to go back and document the construction.