Top 6 questions about measured building surveys

Caitlin Martin
Survey Insight by Caitlin Martin Social Media Assistant 20/05/2021

Are you considering a measured building survey & need more information? Here's the top 6 questions about measured building surveys answered for you.

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Measured Building Survey FAQs

There’s so much information out there, making it hard to find the right answer, that’s why we’ve put together the top 6 questions we get asked about measured building surveys. If this doesn’t answer your query, please let us know.

1. What is a measured building survey?

A measured survey is a dimensionally accurate representation of a site, building or structure that is captured using calibrated instruments such as Total Stations, laser measuring devices or 3D HD laser scanners. The site data is then translated into scaled 2D traditional drawings or 3D digital models and used for developing design proposals, preparing technical information, for construction or facilities management purposes.

2. What information is included in a measured building survey?

A measured survey can include various levels of detail depending on the specified project requirements. As a minimum it would include levels, the building structure, walls, roofs, fenestration, doors and other openings, and can also include historic detail, rain goods and building services.

3. Do I need a measured building survey?

A measured survey provides dimensionally accurate and reliable information regarding the shape, size, structure and geometry of the building. Common reasons for requiring a survey include preparing planning proposals and applications, architectural and interior design, construction, or for asset records and facilities management purposes.

A measured building survey is an investment in knowledge and the information it provides offers certainty that can save on the initial investment many times over by reducing the opportunities for misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and errors.

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4. What equipment is used in a measured building survey?

Increasingly, HD LIDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) technologies such as laser scanners and aerial drones are used to capture site data reducing collection times. This increases accuracy and provides Point Cloud data giving a 3D digital representation of the measurement data improving the understanding of the building’s geometry, construction and layout.

5. How is the survey data delivered?

The site data can be delivered in a Point Cloud digital file format, most commonly used to inform the preparation of traditional 2D plans, elevations and sections, but increasingly is being used to create ‘Digital Twins’ in the form of 3D models in Autodesk Revit software. The 3D option greatly improves the understanding of the as-built building condition and enhances the co-ordination of the design process, identifying potential issues such as clashes at the modelling stage so eliminating potentially costly errors in the design.

6. How much does a measured building survey cost?

Measured surveys are priced based on the time required to comprehensively capture the site data, process the digital information and in preparing the required outputs. The price will vary depending on the type of building, its height, area, complexity of its construction, the internal layout and the extent of the data required to be captured by the survey. Prices range from under £5,000 to £70,000 plus depending on the above factors and how the survey information will be used.

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