How do contract drawings differ from record drawings?

How do contract drawings differ from record drawings?

• A. Contract drawings show planned work; record drawings reflect changes during construction.
• B. Record drawings are legally binding; contract drawings are not.
• C. Contract drawings include cost estimates; record drawings do not.
• D. Record drawings are only for the owner.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the difference between design intent and built reality. Contract drawings show the planned work—the design as intended by the designers and used for bidding, permits, and construction. Record drawings, often called as‑built drawings, capture what was actually constructed, including any changes made during construction, deviations from the plan, and the final installed conditions. That makes the option correct: contract drawings reflect the planned work, while record drawings document the changes and the actual built condition. It’s common for field changes, substitutions, or adjustments to be incorporated into the record drawings so future maintenance, renovations, or expansions reflect what exists in the building. The other statements don’t fit because contract drawings are the design reference—not a place for costs, and record drawings are not the legally binding contract documents. Also, record drawings are primarily for the owner or facility managers, but they’re not limited to the owner alone.

The main idea here is the difference between design intent and built reality. Contract drawings show the planned work—the design as intended by the designers and used for bidding, permits, and construction. Record drawings, often called as‑built drawings, capture what was actually constructed, including any changes made during construction, deviations from the plan, and the final installed conditions.

That makes the option correct: contract drawings reflect the planned work, while record drawings document the changes and the actual built condition. It’s common for field changes, substitutions, or adjustments to be incorporated into the record drawings so future maintenance, renovations, or expansions reflect what exists in the building.

The other statements don’t fit because contract drawings are the design reference—not a place for costs, and record drawings are not the legally binding contract documents. Also, record drawings are primarily for the owner or facility managers, but they’re not limited to the owner alone.