Land and Building Survey Services
Before you start a construction project, buy a property or draw up new plans, you need to know exactly what you’re working with, both in terms of the site itself and any structures within it. Professional surveys uncover critical information about the land or building in question, helping you to make the right decisions based on pinpoint accurate data.
From mapping vast fields as part of plans for a new development to inspecting the condition or measurements of an existing house in preparation for a remodelling, booking the right survey early could significantly heighten the outcomes of your project. Likewise, certain surveys could even solve problems away from planning, such as settling boundary disputes.
On this page, Arbtech covers every aspect of land survey services and building survey services, including the categories of available assessments, the methodology followed to complete each inspection and report, the types of equipment we use, and the likely cost for booking the surveys to be carried out.
Land Survey
What is a Land Survey?
A land survey is the process of measuring and mapping a specific area. With specialist equipment, land surveyors create detailed plans that show everything from property lines to elevation changes.
In land surveying, the primary goal is to provide precise information for land management and land ownership, as well as for design purposes, forming the foundation of development projects.
Whatever the situation, our team of professional surveyors can advise on the right approach. It could involve using Land Registry documents for cadastral surveying to define property boundaries, or a complex soil survey for engineering purposes.
Land Survey Types
Boundary Surveys
A boundary survey is a vital service designed to formally establish the exact boundaries of a property, mainly helping to prevent or resolve boundary disputes between neighbours on adjoining sides of the surrounding boundary lines.
Our team reviews legal documents and uses precise measurements on-site for establishing boundaries correctly during boundary surveys, giving you complete clarity on where your land begins and ends to help with resolving disputes, and setting a starting point for you to work from.
Topographical Surveys
A topographical survey maps the contours of the ground and all the features within a set area, from natural features like trees and ponds to artificial features and other physical features like buildings and pathways.
Also known as a topographic survey or a topo survey, the final drawing from topographical surveys shows the shape and character of the land, opening up pivotal insights for architects and engineers to work from.
Utility Mapping
Through the use of utility mapping, all underground utilities can be detected and mapped, including electrical cables, gas lines and water pipes.
Sometimes alternatively known as a utility survey, utility mapping is an essential component before any excavation or construction work begins, preventing costly and dangerous strikes.
Visual Impact Assessments (VIAs)
A visual impact assessment (VIA) is a study that assesses how new structures or development projects will affect the views and visual character of the surrounding area.
More often than not, visual impact assessments will be needed for planning applications on developments in locations that are seen as being scenic or sensitive.
Land Survey Methodology
During one of our land surveys, the process usually involves gathering all collected data, including any existing plans and legal documents that could help to achieve the goals of the assessment.
Our team will visit the site to establish control points, which are fixed positions that all other measurements are based on. Using the reference points, we measure the relative positions of all required features.
Information from a land survey will then be processed using specialised land surveying software to create accurate plans for architects and civil engineering professionals, resulting in digital models and a final two-dimensional map.
Land Surveying Equipment
- Drones – for carrying out aerial photography and photogrammetric surveys across large areas
- High-Resolution Laser Scanners – for capturing millions of data points to create detailed 3D models
- Total Stations – for highly accurate distance measurement on the ground
How Much Does a Land Survey Cost?
The cost of a land survey really depends on the size and complexity of the site and the level of detail needed from the assessment data.
It also varies from survey to survey, with a simple boundary check on a home costing less than a full topographical survey for a large development site.
During a conversation with our team, we can advise on the most suitable survey for your project before providing you with a price for undertaking the services on your site.
For instance, it could involve cadastral surveying to define legal boundaries or a complex soil survey for engineering purposes. By speaking to our team, we can work out the best option and assess how much it will cost.
Building Survey
What is a Building Survey?
Also known as a property survey or a house survey, a building survey is a detailed inspection of a property’s condition, as well as the finer details of the structure’s measurements. Most commonly, building surveys will act as an inspection designed to identify any problems on the property – from minor defects to serious structural issues – before you commit to buying it.
Particularly when it comes to buying a property, it is essential to understand the physical condition of your potential new home or commercial premises. Depending on the type of assessment, however, building surveying could also be used for enhancing a property you already own.
Building Survey Types
3D Surveys
A 3D survey primarily uses laser scanning technology to create a highly accurate digital model of existing buildings across the designated area.
The use of 3D surveys can be crucial for architects and construction professionals, as it gives them precise data on the built environment for renovation and extension projects.
Condition Reports
A condition report gives you a snapshot of a property’s current state, ranging from poor condition to good condition.
Also known as a level 1 survey, condition reports offer a basic overview suitable for a conventional property that appears to be in a reasonable condition.
Measured Building Surveys
A measured building survey consists of creating accurate as-built drawings of a property, including floor plans, cross-sections and elevations.
Often referred to as a measured survey, the results will be presented as drawings, supporting an architectural project of an existing building at the early design stage.
Building Survey Methodology
Over the course of our building surveys, we usually follow the same process, including conducting a thorough visual inspection of the property, from the foundations right up to the roof space.
The main goal is to uncover issues and assess the state of common building materials, doing this by following a systematic process to look for both visible defects and signs of hidden defects.
In the resulting home survey reports, a clear traffic light rating system highlights areas in need of urgent attention, pinpoints significant problems, and confirms the presence of urgent defects. A level 1 and level 2 survey are suitable for most modern homes, but a level 3 survey provides a more in-depth analysis, advising on the likely consequences of not addressing them.
Previously called a full structural survey, a level 3 building survey offers an in-depth inspection and is recommended for an older structure, a run-down property or a building of unusual design. Survey level 3 will be the same as survey levels 1 and 2, but with much more detail, especially for buildings that have undergone numerous past alterations.
Building Surveying Equipment
- Damp Metres – for detecting and measuring moisture levels in floors and walls
- High-Powered Binoculars and Torches – for inspecting hard-to-reach or poorly lit areas
- Specialist Knowledge – for assessing non-standard property, such as any with a timber-framed structure or a thatched roof
How Much Does a Building Survey Cost?
As for the building, property or house survey cost, the price is something that varies based on the property type, age, size and the type of survey you need.
For example, a new-build property might only require a snagging survey, whereas a historic property or one that has been significantly altered will need more investigation. Whatever the cost, however, if building surveys are needed, it is likely to be unavoidable. With listed buildings, for instance, an assessment could be a legal requirement before planning major works can go ahead and planning applications can be approved.
Once you’ve been given your completed building, property or house survey report, you will have access to any major problems and the condition of the property and be aware of the necessary repair options and maintenance options to help you decide on your next steps.
It might even include an insurance reinstatement figure or data that could piece together more detailed information when it comes to getting a mortgage valuation from a mortgage lender, which is not the same as a mortgage survey focused on the building’s condition.
For an accurate quote based on the details of the structure and the purposes of the survey, we would recommend speaking to our team directly.
Land and Building Surveying
As we’ve covered, there are many different types of survey services, each designed for a specific purpose.
Our expert building surveyors provide a range of homebuyer surveys, from a basic home-buyers survey to a more detailed survey for older properties. In most cases, the resulting homebuyer report gives you a clear understanding of the condition of the property, highlighting any potential structural problems and detailing the remedial work necessary or ongoing maintenance required. We can also provide other types of reports based on your unique needs.
For land projects, using a qualified professional land surveyor is non-negotiable. With tasks involving legal boundaries, a licensed land surveyor is essential to handle the complex legal aspects and interpret original legal descriptions. Whether it’s mapping every feature on the Earth’s surface for a topographical plan or undertaking boundary work, our team of different surveyors has the specialist expertise to deliver the precise data you need to move forward with confidence.
Land and Building Survey Experts
Our team is made up of highly experienced land and building consultants, qualified surveyors and technical specialists. As members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), we are held to the highest professional and ethical standards. In fact, RICS ensures that all its members maintain professional standards through continuous training, and you can easily identify the qualifications of our staff, as members will have the letters MRICS after their names.
As well as RICS, we also have surveyors who are members of the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RSPA), and our team follows guidance from such organisations as the Homeowners Alliance. All of the work we do is backed by professional indemnity insurance, we are one of the most trusted surveying firms in the country, and each of our team members has local knowledge to enhance the expert advice we provide you with.
After we’ve sent a local surveyor to your site, you will be able to make the most of their independent advice and their ability to identify all potential problems across the site or property. It is always best to double-check everything, so whether you’re a serious buyer looking for reassurance about the building you’re purchasing or simply a homeowner who wants further information about your property, our team can help.
Land and Building Survey Quote
If you get an offer accepted on a new home or commercial building, the estate agent might advise a type of building survey (such as a condition report) as part of the buying process. Alternatively, if you want to alter existing structures, another type of building survey (such as a measured building survey) will be needed. Or if you plan on developing a piece of land, you will need a type of land survey (such as utility mapping or a topographical survey).
When buying a property or redeveloping a property, a building survey is highly recommended as a way of potentially saving thousands of pounds by identifying potential issues before you commit. In the same way, a land survey when developing an area of land helps to get the full picture of what is on the site above and below ground, record accurate measurements of the site, and leave you with enough data to prepare your plans correctly.
For help from one of our professionals in your area, you can speak to our team directly, and from there, we will listen to your particular needs and suggest the right survey. To get in touch with Arbtech, you can fill out a contact form on our website, call us or email us. From that point, our team can put together a free quote using your details, and you will be able to decide whether or not you’d like to move forward with us.
