Measured drawings of the existing house

What this is

Older houses don't come with as-built drawings — the original plans (if they ever existed) are usually long gone. So before the designer can show you a new floor plan, somebody has to measure the existing one.

What gets drawn

• Floor plans of every level, including basement and any partial second story or attic.
• Exterior elevations — north, south, east, west — with window and door dimensions.
• A roof framing plan if accessible from the attic.
• Section cuts at the staircase and any other key vertical relationship.

Who does it

Often the designer or architect you're going to hire in step 2.1 — they include it in their fee. Sometimes a specialty drafter ("an as-built measurer") does it on a one-off basis if you want the drawings before committing to a designer.

How long it takes

A day on site for measurements; a week or two of drafting. A 1,200 sq ft Craftsman with a basement and attic is roughly $1,500–$4,000 of work.

What "accurate" means

Older houses are rarely square. Wall lengths can vary by an inch or two from one end of a room to the other. A good as-built captures these variations. A bad as-built draws everything as nice round numbers, which causes trouble when the framer arrives and finds the new beam is 1.5" off.