Construction inventory is technical documentation that reflects the actual condition of an existing building or part of it. It is always needed when you do not have current plans, sections or technical descriptions, and you want to remodel, expand, change the function of the object or settle formal issues.

Simply put: an inventory is a faithful representation of reality in a figurative and descriptive form. It shows how the building looks in reality - taking into account all relevant dimensions, functional layout, materials used, construction and installation.

When is a construction inventory needed?

  • before redevelopment or extension of a house, apartment or service premises,
  • when you plan to change the way you use the building (e.g. from an office to a residential premises)
  • when buying an older object without technical documentation,
  • in the case of legalization of construction self-determination,
  • in the design of thermo-modernization or installation of RES installations,
  • as an annex to the construction project for the office.

How is a construction inventory different from a geodetic one?
These are two completely different studies. Construction (architectural) inventory refers to the building itself - its layout, dimensions, condition and equipment. In turn, the geodetic inventory describes the situation on the ground - the boundaries of the plot, the terrain, the location of objects relative to the surroundings. For investments, both documents are often needed, but each plays a different role.

What does a typical construction inventory include?

  • floor plans of all floors with dimensions,
  • sections, facades and simplified details,
  • technical description of the structural and material condition,
  • information about internal installations,
  • photos documenting the condition of the object,
  • inventories of usable area and volume.

Is the construction inventory mandatory?
Not in every situation, but in practice almost always necessary. An architect will not design any change without a reference point. And the creation of a project “by eye”, based on residual information, can lead to costly mistakes, delays and refusals on the part of the authority.

It is also worth knowing that an inventory is often an annex to a construction project. It is especially important for remodeling, extensions, changes in the way of use and in the legalization of self-will. In these cases, the documentation must reflect both the existing and the projected state.

And how much does a construction inventory cost? Prices vary widely. Simple documentation of a small building can cost from PLN 2000 net, but in the case of larger objects or more detailed studies, the cost increases even several times. However, this is an expense that really translates into the safety of the entire investment.

Imagine: an investor buys an old house without documentation. He orders a redevelopment project, but there is no data on the layout of the walls, heights, materials. The designer makes measurements “in installments”, every now and then something needs to be changed. Time is increasing, costs are increasing. In the meantime, a reliable inventory at the beginning would be enough.

The documentation is prepared by the architect (sometimes with the support of the constructor or installer), who performs accurate measurements on site, analyzes the technical condition and prepares drawings and description. This is not just a “formality for the office”, but a real base for making good design decisions.