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CAUTION: Need As Builts for the WA Department of Finance? Be prepared for cost increases.

When it comes to submitting As Built Drawings to the Department of Finance (DOF) – Government of Western Australia, ensuring the files meet their required CADD protocol is not just a recommendation —it’s the requirement. Failure to adhere is met with your submission being rejected.

Over the years, we’ve seen a wide range of hydraulic, electrical and mechanical drawings created by various Consultants and the level of compliance has varied significantly. In some cases, unfortunately, compliance has been entirely absent.

Unfortunately for our clients, they have little to no recourse in this situation and onus falls on them to bring the final ‘as built’ CAD into alignment with the protocols. For those unfamiliar, even if the original CAD file meets general expectations, the department reject submissions if the CAD format does not align with their protocol. This makes it critical to not only focus on the technical accuracy of the work but also on its adherence to established standards.

As responsibility for ensuring that As-Built Drawings comply with DOF protocol rests with our client, it’s critical to identify any issues with the CAD files early. To help mitigate these challenges, Design Assist Partners offer a solution: tender stage review and identification of any potential issues and a guidance on budget fees to rectify. Note, we’ve found in some situation costs can well exceed general expectations by a factor of four times more than typical as builts.

By allowing us to review your CAD files during the tender stage, we can identify potential compliance issues and advise on pricing upfront. Identification during the costing stage leads to cost control and a smoother project process overall. You may be surprised by the difference early idnetification can make.

Taking a proactive approach to meet DOF protocols is more than just a way to avoid rework — it’s a way to ensure efficiency, save costs and maintain the integrity of your projects. If you need to prepare an As Built Drawing to comply with DOF Protocols, consider having your files reviewed early. It’s a small step that can prevent cost blowouts down the line.

Have questions or want to learn more about our review process? Get in touch—DAP is here to help. Refer to our FAQ’s for further information or contact us today to learn more about our tailored solutions for managing stringent CAD protocols