How to Prepare for a Building Survey — What You Need to Know

Before the Survey

Getting a measured building survey done is a straightforward process — but a little preparation beforehand can make the day go more smoothly and ensure you get the most accurate result. Here's what you need to know.

What Access Is Needed?

For a complete survey we need access to every area included in the scope. This typically means:

• All rooms on every floor to be surveyed
• Roof spaces and loft areas, if these are included
• Basements and undercroft areas
• External access around the full perimeter of the building for elevations
• Any outbuildings, garages or ancillary structures included in the scope

We'll confirm the access requirements with you before the survey day so there are no surprises. If any areas will be locked or restricted, let us know in advance so we can plan around it — or arrange a second visit if necessary.

Does the Property Need to Be Empty?

No. We regularly survey occupied properties — both residential and commercial — with minimal disruption to occupants. We work methodically room by room and are used to working around furniture, staff and day-to-day activity.

That said, surveys go more smoothly when rooms aren't heavily cluttered, and if there are any particularly inaccessible areas (filled storage rooms, rooms being used for storage) it helps to flag these in advance. We'll need to access all areas included in the scope, so anything blocking access should be cleared beforehand if possible.

How Long Will It Take?

Survey duration depends on the size and complexity of the building:

We'll give you an estimate of site time when we send the quote, so you can plan access accordingly.

What Happens on Survey Day?

The process is straightforward:

1. The surveyor arrives at the agreed time and carries out a brief walkthrough of the property to familiarise themselves with the layout and flag any access issues
2. Each area is surveyed systematically — measuring room dimensions, ceiling heights, wall thicknesses, door and window openings and all key features
3. External elevations are measured, including facade details, openings and heights
4. For laser scanning surveys, the scanner is set up at multiple positions throughout the building to capture the complete geometry
5. Once the survey is complete, the surveyor will do a final check to make sure all areas have been captured before leaving

What If Something Is Inaccessible?

If an area can't be accessed on survey day — a locked room, a roof space with no hatch, an area that's heavily obstructed — we'll note this and discuss the options with you. In some cases a second brief visit can be arranged to capture the missing area. It's always better to flag potential access issues before survey day so we can plan accordingly.

When Will I Receive the Drawings?

For most projects, drawings are delivered within 5–10 working days of the site visit. We'll confirm the turnaround time when we send the quote, and we'll let you know if there's any reason for a delay.

If you have a tight deadline — a planning submission date, for example — mention this when you enquire. We can often accommodate faster turnaround when required.

What Format Will the Drawings Be In?

All drawings are delivered as:

• DWG files — structured and layered for immediate use in AutoCAD, Revit or BricsCAD. Layer names and drawing standards follow industry conventions so your architect or designer can work with the files straight away.
• PDF files — print-ready on A1 or A3 sheets (or as specified), for sharing with the planning authority, building control or the wider project team.

What If the Drawings Need Amending?

We check all drawings before issue, but if there's anything that needs amending — a missed dimension, a drawing note that needs updating, a change to the scope — just let us know. Minor amendments are included as standard. For more significant changes to scope (additional drawings, re-survey of areas) we'll discuss the options with you.