Accurate existing information before design begins.
Measured building and site surveys for homeowners, designers, engineers and developers, producing clear information for planning, design, Building Regulations and construction.
Good design depends on knowing what is already there
A survey should capture the information the next stage of the project actually needs — accurately, clearly and without unnecessary detail.
Williams Survey & Design provides measured surveys of existing buildings and topographical surveys of sites throughout Lancashire and the wider North West.
The required level of detail is agreed before work begins, so a small extension survey is not treated like a large development site and a simple floor-plan survey is not priced as though full elevations, sections and external levels are required.
The survey scope is tailored to the job. This helps control cost while still providing designers, engineers and contractors with a dependable base for the work that follows.
Building information and site information
Measured Building Surveys
An accurate record of the existing property for design, alterations, refurbishment and record purposes.
- Floor plans and principal dimensions
- Wall thicknesses and room geometry where required
- Doors, windows and structural features
- External elevations where commissioned
- Building heights and relevant levels
- Roof form and visible external features
- Sections where the project requires them
- External features relevant to proposed work
Topographical & Site Surveys
Measured site information recording physical features, levels and relationships needed for design and development.
- Visible boundaries, walls, fences and hedges
- Ground levels, spot levels and changes in elevation
- Existing buildings and structures
- Roads, paths and access points
- Trees and significant vegetation where required
- Visible drainage features and service covers
- Contours where appropriate to the site
- Relationship to relevant neighbouring features
Professional capture — usable CAD information
Survey → Process → CAD → Deliver
The survey is only useful if the information captured on site is translated into a clear and dependable drawing package.
Define the scope
We agree what needs recording, the drawing outputs required and the level of detail appropriate to the project.
Capture on site
Dimensions, levels and relevant features are measured using appropriate survey equipment and cross-checks.
Process & draw
Field information is checked and converted into CAD drawings using an agreed project datum and drawing structure.
Issue the survey
Final drawings are supplied in the agreed formats together with any relevant survey notes or limitations.
Information prepared for the next stage of the project
Existing internal layouts, openings, wall positions and dimensions appropriate to the commissioned scope.
Existing external elevations and sections where required for planning, design or technical coordination.
Site features, spot levels, contours and relevant relationships presented in a clear plan format.
Presentation-ready PDF drawings and editable CAD files where included in the agreed commission.
What a standard measured / topo survey does not automatically include
Normally included where relevant
- Visible and accessible physical features agreed in the survey scope
- Dimensions, levels and positions needed for the commissioned drawings
- Visible site boundaries and features as physically observed
- Clear survey notes and drawing information appropriate to the project
- Local datum / survey control appropriate to the commission unless another coordinate basis is agreed
Specialist or additional work
Unless expressly commissioned, a standard measured or topographical survey does not automatically establish:
- Legal title boundaries or ownership
- Underground utility positions
- Drain runs that are not visible at surface level
- Geotechnical or ground-condition information
- Tree species / arboricultural constraints
- Asbestos or hazardous materials
- National-grid coordinates or specialist engineering control where not agreed in advance
Where one of these is important to the project, we can identify the need for appropriate additional survey or specialist input.
Property size and site complexity matter
Survey cost and time are driven by much more than the word “measured” or “topographical”.
Where measured survey information is commonly used
Need an accurate survey of a building or site?
Send us the property or site address, a brief description of what the survey will be used for and any drawing requirements you already know. We can recommend an appropriate scope and provide a fixed quotation.