The Ultimate Guide to Measured Building Surveys: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re in the process of designing or refurbishing a property, a measured building survey is an essential step that will provide accurate and detailed information about the structure. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about measured building surveys, including what they are, how they’re conducted and the benefits of having one performed.

What are Measured Building Surveys?

A measured building survey is a detailed assessment of a building’s dimensions, structure and features. It involves taking accurate measurements of the property, including floor plans, elevations and sections, to produce a detailed and accurate representation of the building. Measured building surveys can be carried out on all types of building irrespective of their size or their location.

Structures can vary greatly and can include residential properties, offices, factories, warehouses and historic buildings etc. Measured building surveys generally consist of elevations, floor plans and sections with the option of roof plans and ceiling plans.

Elevations

In the construction sector the term ‘elevation’ refers to a projection of a building’s façade. Elevations make up a significant part of measured building surveys and provide a scaled two-dimensional view of a three dimensional property. Elevations are drawn with a flattened perspective and generally reflect four compass positions, e.g. North, East, South and West.

Most survey projects typically require external elevations, however large civic heritage buildings for example Bath Assembly Rooms, can sometimes require internal elevations due to the complexity and detail of their historical interior fabric. Elevation drawings are used to showcase the building outline plus indicate openings such as windows and doors, roofing (including eaves and drainpipes), level datums and dimensions such as wall lengths and heights.

Floor Plans

Floor plans present a detailed two dimensional layout of a property’s internal floors with each drawn plan derived from an overhead perspective. All structural elements, including walls, columns and beams are drawn together with door and window positions. Extra information is added such as floor levels and height dimensions in addition to descriptive notes to ensure a greater understanding of the layout of the floor.

Floor plans can be prepared for whole buildings, multiple floors, a single floor or just a single room. The greater the level of detail featured within the floor plan (in terms of layout, fittings, dimensions etc.) the more beneficial it will be for the project. Where buildings contain multiple floors these can all be represented as individual floorplans and subsequently placed over one another in AutoCAD to visualise how each floor fits and links itself together. Depending on the real world size of the building, floor plans are usually drawn at scales between 1:50 and 1:200.

Cross Sections

A cross-section drawing delivers a view of a building’s structure as if it has been sliced open in half between two points at either end of an imaginary vertical axis and opened up. This ‘slice’ or section can be effective as it provides a view through the structure that can ultimately determine the relationship between different areas of the building that may not be immediately apparent within the floorplan drawings.

Roof Plans

A roof plan showcases the structure that forms the upper external fabric of a building. Most roof plans for residential developments can be generated from terrestrial 3D laser scanning. However, where there is limited visibility from the ground, or where elements of the building obscure the view of the roof structure, then an aerial drone can be deployed and flown to capture views of the roof from overhead. Roofs may have skylights or windows set within them to permit light into the building, in addition to other openings providing ventilation and access. Roof plans also frequently include other architectural features such as chimneys, drainage, lighting and tv/satellite infrastructure.

Ceiling Plans

Reflective ceiling plans help to accurately visualise a ceiling’s layout, for example featuring the position and detail of heritage artefacts, vents, pipes and lighting. A ceiling plan can also be used to map any timber beams, concrete slabs and coving contributing towards the make up of the roof structure if visible from the floor.

Why are Measured Building Surveys Necessary?

A measured building survey is essential in many situations, including property refurbishments, extensions and new builds. Whenever a property, be it residential, commercial or historic, is subject to significant redevelopment plans, such as renovation or an extension, then its good practice to have a measured building survey commissioned. It provides a detailed understanding of the building’s structure and features, helping architects and engineers to design a suitable plan for renovation or new construction.

How are Measured Building Surveys Conducted?

The survey is conducted by trained and experienced surveyors who use advanced measuring equipment and software to capture accurate measurements of the property. The process typically involves 3D laser scanning, which produces detailed 2D CAD drawings or 3D models of the building, along with other techniques such as manual measurements and photography.

The surveyors will typically start with an external survey of the building, capturing detailed measurements of the external features such as walls, windows, doors and roof. They will then move to the interior, capturing detailed measurements of the internal walls, floors and ceilings, along with any other fixtures and fittings such as staircases, fireplaces and built-in furniture.

Once the survey is complete, the surveyors will use the data to produce detailed floor plans, elevations and sections of the building. These plans can then be used by architects and engineers to design refurbishments or new builds.

Benefits of Measured Building Surveys

Having a measured building survey performed offers several benefits, including:

Accurate and Detailed Information: the survey provides detailed and accurate information about the building, including its structure, dimensions, and features.

Design Flexibility: the detailed plans and elevations produced by the survey can be used by architects and engineers to design a suitable plan for renovation or new construction.

Cost Savings: A measured building survey can help to identify potential problems and areas of concern, helping to avoid costly mistakes and delays during the construction process.

Legal Compliance: A measured building survey can help to ensure that the property is compliant with local building regulations and other legal requirements.

How Much Do Measured Building Surveys Cost?

Each property redevelopment project is always uniquely different based on the size and scale of the building, its location and the level of detail necessary to be featured in the completed plan drawings.

Here at Pinpoint Mapping we specialise in Measured Building Surveys and we offer all clients a no-obligation Quotation service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a measured building survey is an essential step in any property refurbishment or new construction project. It provides accurate and detailed information about the building’s structure and features, allowing architects and engineers to design a suitable plan for renovation or new construction. Additionally, a measured building survey can help to save costs, identify potential problems and ensure legal compliance.

Need a Measured Building Survey?

If you’re looking for a reliable and experienced company to perform a measured building survey for your property, Pinpoint Mapping is here to help. Our team of trained and experienced surveyors uses advanced measuring equipment and software to provide accurate and detailed surveys for any type of property.

Pinpoint Mapping measured building surveyors can skilfully measure up a building, both externally and internally, with precision. Precise elevations, floor plans and cross-sections of any existing property or built structure can all be created to a specified scale and supplied as detailed 2D drawings in digital CAD formats.

Please contact us by email or phone to discuss, or alternatively click on the Get A Quote button at the top of this website, and provide us with as much information as you can. From that we will be in touch to provide you with a competitive quote.