When do you need to digitise archive drawings?
Many older buildings only have paper construction drawings left, on rolls or in files. For renovation, subdivision, permit applications or property management, these drawings are indispensable, but paper is fragile, hard to share and not editable. Digitising archive drawings converts these documents into usable digital files such as PDF or editable CAD drawings in DWG, so they are stored safely and can be put to use straight away.
Common situations in which digitisation is needed:
- For a renovation or refurbishment where the existing situation serves as the basis.
- For the subdivision of a building, where the original construction drawings are indispensable.
- For owners' association (VvE) boards that want to digitise their complete property file.
- For municipalities or property managers with large archives that need to become accessible.
What do you receive on delivery?
The digitisation process starts with scanning or photographing the paper drawing, followed by scale calibration so all dimensions are correct. You then choose one of three delivery levels: a clean PDF scan, a PDF with optimised legibility (colour correction, removal of folds or stains) or a fully traced editable CAD drawing in DWG.
The CAD level is the most valuable form for further editing: the drawing can be updated, lines can be measured and the drawing serves as the basis for new designs or permit applications. In addition to PDF and DWG, on request we also deliver in TIFF or JPEG for high-resolution archiving purposes.
Requesting a drawing from the municipal archive
If the original construction drawings are missing, we can often still request them from the municipal archive based on the address and the cadastral data. Municipalities frequently keep building files for decades and increasingly have digital access portals. We handle the request to the municipality, pay any search and copying costs and then convert the supplied documents into usable digital files.
For older buildings, especially those from before 1950, the building file may be incomplete or lost. In that case we look for alternative sources such as deeds of subdivision, old sales files or aerial photographs. Sometimes a fresh on-site survey is the most practical route to create a reliable base drawing.
What does digitising archive drawings cost?
Digitisation is available from €100. The final price depends on the number of drawings and whether a simple scan is sufficient or a full CAD tracing is needed. A clean PDF scan of a few drawings falls at the lower end of the range; a complete CAD elaboration of a multi-storey building with several floor plans, elevations and sections falls at the upper end.
For property managers and owners' associations (VvEs) with large archives, we often apply a tiered price based on volume. A one-off digitisation of a complete file is therefore proportionally cheaper than individual assignments. During the intake we map out what is most efficient for your situation.
Who is digitisation useful for?
Digitisation is relevant for property owners who want to renovate or sell their building, for owners' association (VvE) boards that want to keep the building file up to date, for municipalities that want to further digitise their building archive and for property developers who are transforming or demolishing. For architects and contractors, a digitised archive is the fastest way to start a renovation project without having to survey everything again.
A digitised archive also protects the fragile originals against further damage. Paper drawings weaken every time they are unrolled, photographed or carried around. By scanning straight after receipt and storing them digitally, the original is preserved and you can use the digital version as often as you like.
