Finding a Building's Plans: Our Tips

How to get them

For new or recent buildings, you usually just need to contact the developer or builder to get your copy of the plans. They should normally have sent them already, but the plans may have been lost in the various exchanges. Either way, they are required to provide them.

For existing and older buildings, things can get more complicated. If the original developer or builder no longer exists, you will have to turn to the municipality, which normally holds a copy of the plans submitted for the building permit. This means contacting the Urban Planning Division or the Permits Department, as the case may be. Expect some processing time and minimal fees.

Sometimes the City cannot find any plans in its archives, or the version on file does not quite match your project. A new option may allow you to obtain them.

Link:

Montreal (by borough) -  Request a building plan: https://montreal.ca/demarches/demander-le-plan-dun-batiment?arrondissement=Ahuntsic-Cartierville

New under Bill 16: Access to plans through the designers

For a long time, it was difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a copy of the plans from the designers (architects, engineers), because the syndicate of co-owners or its representatives were not the original client who had hired (and paid) these professionals. The professionals were therefore bound by their code of ethics to "professional secrecy."

The recent arrival of Bill 16, amending the Civil Code of Québec (adopted on December 5, 2019), lifts this ethical barrier and now allows the syndicate of co-owners to contact the designers of the plans and specifications directly:

"1083.1. The syndicate may, at its own expense, obtain the plans and specifications of the immovable held by an architect or an engineer; the architect or engineer is required to provide them to the syndicate on request."

Paper or electronic copy

Keeping many large rolls of plans makes them difficult to consult. They are also often hard to store without damaging or even losing them. Above all, you will frequently need to send them out in various circumstances, such as for quotes, expert assessments, insurance appraisals, contingency fund studies, etc. We therefore recommend investing in having them scanned at a big-box store or a more specialized print service provider that offers this type of service. The effort will pay off!

The number of pages and types of plans will vary depending on the type and complexity of the project. The most common plans to have on hand are:

- Architectural plans

- Structural plans

- Mechanical (plumbing, ventilation, heating) and electrical plans

Finally, don't be surprised if your plans differ from what was actually built, since "as-built" versions are unfortunately rarely produced.

No plans? No problem

Did you know it is possible to generate plans of an existing building without taking manual measurements? Read our article on 3D scanning and the plan production solutions we offer our clients:

https://www.nivoex.com/en/blogue/nivoex-pas-de-plans-comment-lalliance-inspection-et-scan-3d-lidar-et-bim-comble-le-vide-documentaire-de-vos-actifs

For any questions or information about our services, visit www.nivoex.com