{"id":486,"date":"2026-01-14T17:56:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T17:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/?page_id=486"},"modified":"2026-02-20T21:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T21:15:12","slug":"the-why","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/the-why\/","title":{"rendered":"The Why"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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THE WHY.<\/h2>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h4>\n
Does Arch-Surveys provide 3D laser scanning \/ cloud files \/ Revit models?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Not at this time. \u00a0Other friendly Building Surveyors can provide that intensive 3D data level for projects that need them. \u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Architectural Building Surveys focuses on those clients who need dimensionally accurate floor plans, though in simpler, and often less costly, flat pdf or printed 2D format.\u00a0 The goal is to provide you with an overview of the layout that is easy to read and understand, without unnecessary detail.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
The Analogy may be the difference between a photo with several thousand pixels, versus the Caricature artist at the Fair, who draws your likeness in 50 strokes.\u00a0 He knows how to focus on the detail that captures your image in a simple clear presentation.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
A 3D scan will pick up way more detail in a room than is needed, like the flowers in the vase, pictures on a desk, laptop, lamp, tissue box, umbrella, etc. \u00a0This requires deleting much data from a 3D file, to produce a simpler story of just walls, doors, windows, cabinetry, etc. \u00a0I like to tell a buildings\u2019 story, filtering what I see, and measuring only the aspects that you need to see in a drawing and helps you read and understand a space. \u00a0It is also about honesty. \u00a0I only draw what I can see and verify. \u00a0A 3D scan will miss data hidden behind other objects, and a 3D as-built Revit model will include many justified assumptions like wall thicknesses and other unseen data.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Why does Arch-Surveys charge an hourly rate + reimbursables, instead of a lump sum?<\/strong><\/div>\n
I prefer to give my clients the best value for their investment, over making additional income at their expense. \u00a0<\/div>\n
Like a car mechanic, who can\u2019t give an estimate until he pops the hood, I really don\u2019t know how long a building will take to document, until I\u2019ve worked my way through it. \u00a0Over the years, I do have an educated estimate of building types, their densities, geometries, detail, etc. to estimate a cost, though multiple factors on site can quicken or slow me down.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Let\u2019s say I estimate the work to cost $5k. \u00a0A lump sum proposal would be sent for $5500 or $6000, to make sure I have a cushion, and don\u2019t lose out. If the actual work only costs $4200, I prefer to invoice, with all hours and expenses transparent, only my actual cost. \u00a0This is in line with an honest man\u2019s wage. I do not wish to take more from another person or business that I did not earn.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Can we just update our old drawings?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Some clients rightfully would like to save cost, by updating old drawings instead of redrawing the whole floorplan. Unfortunately, it would take a lot longer to check every line in someone else\u2019s file, for location accuracy. \u00a0It is faster and cheaper to develop drawings from scratch. All buildings and spaces are surveyed on site, creating new drawings, without using any old paper or cad files. \u00a0Old files are helpful in referencing scale and scope of the project, and aid in creating the proposal, though I do not mix third party data into my drawings. \u00a0This way every line measured and drawn is trusted as my work, and covered by Arch-Surveys General, and Errors & Omissions Insurance policies.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Original Architectural Design and Construction drawings for any given building were conceptual and differ from what was actually built. \u00a0Any future tenant fit-out, space planning, or renovation project needs accurate data of existing conditions as it is today. \u00a0Previous drawings may be helpful in a broad view of the space, though dimensional accuracy is needed by multiple players at the table, for moving forward.<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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You are awesome! . . . \u00a0Thanks Moshe. Great price and great service as always . . .<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– Beth Lancelotta \u00a0 Lancelotta Real Estate \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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“Moshe, You Rock!\u00a0 No one turns quality plans around faster . . .”<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– F. Joseph Bradley, VP, MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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Thanks for your excellent, prompt work.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– Wayne Goddard, President GS Equity Partners \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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Moshe, you’re the best!\u00a0 Thank you!\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– Jenna Mielke, Kimco Realty \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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thanks, you\u2019re the best ! . . . Always a pleasure working with you.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– Wayne Creek, AIA \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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Moshe, This is perfect.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– Jeff Gelberman, Principal National Real Estate Brokerage<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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Thanks Moshe. Looks good! \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/h5>\n

– Valerie Pettine, Metro Commercial Real Estate<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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Moshe, \u00a0this looks great! \u00a0Thank you. . . .\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

– Jim Flannery, Brightside Associates<\/em><\/p> <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE WHY. Frequently Asked Questions Does Arch-Surveys provide 3D laser scanning \/ cloud files \/ Revit models?\u00a0\u00a0Not at this time. \u00a0Other friendly Building Surveyors can provide that intensive 3D data level for projects that need them. \u00a0 \u00a0 Architectural Building Surveys focuses on those clients who need dimensionally accurate floor plans, though in simpler, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-486","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"

THE WHY.<\/h2>

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h4> Does Arch-Surveys provide 3D laser scanning \/ cloud files \/ Revit models?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Not at this time. \u00a0Other friendly Building Surveyors can provide that intensive 3D data level for projects that need them. \u00a0 \u00a0 Architectural Building Surveys focuses on those clients who need dimensionally accurate floor plans, though in simpler, and often less costly, flat pdf or printed 2D format.\u00a0 The goal is to provide you with an overview of the layout that is easy to read and understand, without unnecessary detail. \u00a0 The Analogy may be the difference between a photo with several thousand pixels, versus the Caricature artist at the Fair, who draws your likeness in 50 strokes.\u00a0 He knows how to focus on the detail that captures your image in a simple clear presentation. \u00a0 A 3D scan will pick up way more detail in a room than is needed, like the flowers in the vase, pictures on a desk, laptop, lamp, tissue box, umbrella, etc. \u00a0This requires deleting much data from a 3D file, to produce a simpler story of just walls, doors, windows, cabinetry, etc. \u00a0I like to tell a buildings\u2019 story, filtering what I see, and measuring only the aspects that you need to see in a drawing and helps you read and understand a space. \u00a0It is also about honesty. \u00a0I only draw what I can see and verify. \u00a0A 3D scan will miss data hidden behind other objects, and a 3D as-built Revit model will include many justified assumptions like wall thicknesses and other unseen data. \u00a0 Why does Arch-Surveys charge an hourly rate + reimbursables, instead of a lump sum?<\/strong> I prefer to give my clients the best value for their investment, over making additional income at their expense. \u00a0 Like a car mechanic, who can\u2019t give an estimate until he pops the hood, I really don\u2019t know how long a building will take to document, until I\u2019ve worked my way through it. \u00a0Over the years, I do have an educated estimate of building types, their densities, geometries, detail, etc. to estimate a cost, though multiple factors on site can quicken or slow me down. \u00a0 Let\u2019s say I estimate the work to cost $5k. \u00a0A lump sum proposal would be sent for $5500 or $6000, to make sure I have a cushion, and don\u2019t lose out. If the actual work only costs $4200, I prefer to invoice, with all hours and expenses transparent, only my actual cost. \u00a0This is in line with an honest man\u2019s wage. I do not wish to take more from another person or business that I did not earn. \u00a0 Can we just update our old drawings?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Some clients rightfully would like to save cost, by updating old drawings instead of redrawing the whole floorplan. Unfortunately, it would take a lot longer to check every line in someone else\u2019s file, for location accuracy. \u00a0It is faster and cheaper to develop drawings from scratch. All buildings and spaces are surveyed on site, creating new drawings, without using any old paper or cad files. \u00a0Old files are helpful in referencing scale and scope of the project, and aid in creating the proposal, though I do not mix third party data into my drawings. \u00a0This way every line measured and drawn is trusted as my work, and covered by Arch-Surveys General, and Errors & Omissions Insurance policies. \u00a0 Original Architectural Design and Construction drawings for any given building were conceptual and differ from what was actually built. \u00a0Any future tenant fit-out, space planning, or renovation project needs accurate data of existing conditions as it is today. \u00a0Previous drawings may be helpful in a broad view of the space, though dimensional accuracy is needed by multiple players at the table, for moving forward.\n\n<\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>
You are awesome! . . . \u00a0Thanks Moshe. Great price and great service as always . . .<\/strong><\/h5>

- Beth Lancelotta \u00a0 Lancelotta Real Estate \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

\"Moshe, You Rock!\u00a0 No one turns quality plans around faster . . .\"<\/strong><\/h5>

- F. Joseph Bradley, VP, MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

Thanks for your excellent, prompt work.<\/strong><\/h5>

- Wayne Goddard, President GS Equity Partners \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

Moshe, you're the best!\u00a0 Thank you!\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>

- Jenna Mielke, Kimco Realty \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

thanks, you\u2019re the best ! . . . Always a pleasure working with you.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>

- Wayne Creek, AIA \u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

Moshe, This is perfect.<\/strong><\/h5>

- Jeff Gelberman, Principal National Real Estate Brokerage<\/em><\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

Thanks Moshe. Looks good! \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/h5>

- Valerie Pettine, Metro Commercial Real Estate<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> <\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg><\/use><\/svg>

Moshe, \u00a0this looks great! \u00a0Thank you. . . .\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>

- Jim Flannery, Brightside Associates<\/em><\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=486"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1272,"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/486\/revisions\/1272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qbswebdesign.com\/archsurveys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}