A floor plan is a map of a building. Link the design concept to the details needed to erect a structure. Blueprints, also known as architectural drawing sets, have been used since the 19th century and are a guide through the construction process. They are often used by contractors to apply for building permits from the municipality in which construction is taking place. Once the plans have been filed by the contractor with the building department of said municipality, they are public records and technically accessible to anyone who wishes to see them.

However, finding plans for a building is not always as easy as you might think. Not all documents are saved digitally and some documents may not yet exist, especially for older structures. In some cases, the original may be in a box, deep in a storage unit, or in the basement of the county clerk’s office. Fortunately, in the 21st century, physical blueprints are not the norm and drawings using CAD and 3D models are more likely.

Many architects will be called upon for additions to existing buildings or renovations to commercial spaces. In situations like these, the plans of the original structure are necessary. But the question of how to find construction plans always comes up and the answer is not always easy. Whether you’re a building owner embarking on construction or an architect looking to copy a commercial construction design, here are four ways to get those plans in your hands as quickly as possible.

Find the contractor who built the property

Start your search with the contractor who originally built the property. If you don’t know who that person is, the county clerk should have their information on file. The county zoning board may also have the original building permit, which would have the contractor’s details. If you find the contractor but he/she doesn’t have the plans, you may be able to refer someone who does.

The county clerk has the key (or document)

The other option is to start at the county clerk’s office. County Clerks are the official record keepers of building related documents and building permits. Each office operates differently, which means the process for obtaining the permit or registration you need will be different. Some will charge a small fee to request access to the original files, so be prepared when requesting building plans.

Locate the original owners of the property

If the building was purchased from the same people who built it, they may have a copy of the plans. If not, and they took out a construction loan to finance the building, the original lender may have the plans on file or may direct you to the builder or contractor.

Consider an architecture expert

Another option for finding blueprints of a building is to obtain a reproduction of the blueprints. This would be done through an architect and is probably the most cost prohibitive as well as the most time consuming. Ideally, use an architect with previous experience and familiarity with either the development of the property or the type of structure being replicated.

The floor plan and “map” of a building are crucial in the design and construction process, but they are not always easy to find. There are several ways to find the blueprints, but it’s a guessing game about who has what. Fortunately, more and more industry professionals are adopting technology applications to support online document retrieval. Very soon, everyone will be able to locate themselves geographically and request access to each and every plan through innovative cloud-based tools.