Construction/Remodeling/Repair Original Building Plans

[Khaled Seirafi]

Hi all. Posted a different question about the same project earlier. It's a plumbing/electrical/remodeling project for a mixed use building in CA. The structural engineer is saying that the building's original architectural plans only show the first floor (it's a very old 2 story building and its the 2nd floor where we'll be doing most of the work), they're hand drawings with no dimension nor on correct scale. I personally haven't seen the microfiche film that these images are on. The engineer is proposing that we should have an as-built floor plan drawn up first and then he'll generate another proposal for the remodeling work as per our direction. I understand that the contractor can't put together a proposal without this. Does anyone suggest I go back to the City and complain that the plans weren't sufficient? Although, I have a feeling that that won't lead anywhere?

Never really had to do any work like this before on our building. Can anyone with experience doing this (engineer or contractor) confirm that this process sounds about right? Trying not to get ripped off.