Measured Building Surveys
Accurate, laser-measured building surveys producing detailed floor plans, elevations and sections. Essential for architects, designers, planning applications, lease agreements and space planning.
Measured Building Survey
Our Home Surveyor & Property Valuer Accreditation & Professional Membership
Our Measured Building Surveys are carried out by qualified surveyors who belong to the professional bodies that set UK property standards. Every report is prepared to recognised guidance and is completely independent, so you can rely on the findings when you buy, sell or value a home.
What Is a Measured Building Survey?
A measured building survey captures the precise dimensions and layout of a building's internal and external spaces using laser measuring equipment. The output is a set of accurate, scaled drawings — typically floor plans, elevations and sections — used by architects, designers and property professionals.
What We Deliver
- Scaled floor plans with room dimensions, door and window positions
- External elevations showing the building's appearance from each side
- Cross-sections through the building where required
- Gross Internal Area (GIA) and Net Internal Area (NIA) calculations
- Digital files in both DWG (CAD) and PDF formats
- Ordnance Survey grid coordinates where necessary
Typical Uses
- Architectural design and planning applications
- Lease plans for Land Registry compliance
- Space planning and office fit-out design
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) input
- Party Wall Act documentation
- Fire risk assessments and escape plans
When Do You Need a Measured Building Survey?
Suitable For
- Planning applications requiring scaled drawings
- Architectural renovation and extension design
- Lease plans for Land Registry registration
- Commercial property marketing particulars
- Space planning and capacity assessments
- BIM model creation
Not Suitable For
- Structural assessment (use a Building Survey or Specific Defect Survey)
- Condition reporting (use a Building Condition Report)
- Boundary disputes (use a Land Registry-compliant boundary plan)
- Valuation purposes (this is purely measurement, not valuation)
What Is Included
Floor Plans
Scaled plans showing all rooms, wall thicknesses, door and window positions, staircases and fixed fittings — typically at 1:50 or 1:100 scale.
External Elevations
Drawings of each external face of the building showing rooflines, windows, doors, materials and key height dimensions.
Cross-Sections
Vertical slices through the building showing floor-to-ceiling heights, roof structure and relationships between levels.
Area Calculations
GIA (Gross Internal Area) and NIA (Net Internal Area) calculated to RICS Property Measurement standards.
Digital Deliverables
Files supplied in DWG format for your architect or designer to work with directly, plus PDFs for reference and sharing.
Site Location Plan
The building located on its site with key dimensions to boundaries, access points and neighbouring structures.
How a Measured Building Survey Works
Scope Confirmation
We confirm what drawings you need — floor plans, elevations, sections — and at what scale and level of detail.
On-Site Measurement
Using laser distometers and total stations, we measure every room, wall, opening and level across the building.
Drawing Production
The measurements are processed and the drawings produced in CAD by experienced technicians.
Quality Check & Delivery
Drawings are checked against site notes and photographs, then delivered in DWG and PDF format.
Measured Building Survey Questions
How accurate are your measured building surveys?
We use Leica laser distometers and, for larger or more complex buildings, total station theodolites to achieve accuracy of ±10mm for internal dimensions and ±15mm for overall building dimensions. All measurements are independently checked — either by a second surveyor or by comparing key dimensions against site photographs and notes. The drawings are produced in CAD by experienced technicians who cross-reference the data for consistency before the drawings are issued.
What format do you deliver the drawings in?
We deliver drawings in both DWG (native AutoCAD format) and PDF format as standard. DWG files allow your architect, designer or engineer to work with the drawings directly in their own CAD software. We can also supply in other formats — DXF, Revit, SketchUp — on request. All files are sent electronically, typically within 7–10 working days of the site visit depending on the size and complexity of the building.
How long does a measured survey take on site?
The time on site depends on the size and complexity of the building. A typical 3-bedroom house takes around 2–3 hours. A larger property — a 5-bedroom detached house with extensions, outbuildings and multiple levels — may take 4–6 hours. Commercial buildings and blocks of flats take longer and are quoted on a case-by-case basis. We can give you an estimated site time when you enquire.
Do you provide lease plans for Land Registry purposes?
Yes. We produce lease plans that comply with Land Registry Practice Guide 40 — showing the extent of the leased area, its location within the larger building or site, and the access arrangements. The plan includes a north point, scale bar, key dimensions and Ordnance Survey grid references where required. We have extensive experience with Land Registry lease plan requirements and our plans are consistently accepted on first submission.
Commission a Measured Building Survey
Get a fixed-price quote based on the size and complexity of your building. Drawings delivered in CAD and PDF.
Get a Free Quote