Topographical Surveys in London and the UK
A topographical survey is an accurate map of a site’s surface: its levels, contours, boundaries and every natural and man-made feature on it. For architects, engineers and developers, it is the base drawing a scheme is designed on. Get the levels or the boundary wrong and the consequences run right through the project, from a planning drawing that misrepresents the site to drainage that will not fall the way the design assumed.
Scan Surveys produces topographical surveys, also known as topo or land surveys, across London and the UK. We capture the site to survey-grade accuracy and deliver a clean, layered CAD drawing that shows exactly what is there and how the ground sits. Levels are tied to a defined datum, so the survey is not just a plan of features but a true three-dimensional record you can design levels, falls and setting-out against.
Whether the drawing is destined for a planning application, a detailed design or setting out on site, the output is built to drop straight into your CAD environment and be relied upon.
- Method
- Survey-grade instruments tied to established control
- Datum
- Horizontal and vertical, referenced to Ordnance Survey where required
- Records
- Levels, contours, features, boundaries and surface drainage
- Deliverable formats
- Layered CAD (DWG/DXF), 2D and 3D
- Optional outputs
- Point cloud where the site is laser scanned
- Coverage
- London and UK-wide
What we capture and deliver
We record the full surface detail of a site to the level required by your project:
- Levels and contours describing the shape and gradient of the ground
- Hard and soft features, including buildings, roads, footpaths, kerbs, walls, fences, trees and vegetation
- Boundaries as physically evidenced on the ground, alongside title information where supplied
- Surface drainage and utility features, such as manholes and gullies, with invert levels where accessible
- Services and street furniture relevant to the design
The survey is tied to a horizontal and vertical datum, referenced to Ordnance Survey where required, so it coordinates with other surveys and with the wider mapping. Deliverables are provided as layered CAD (DWG/DXF), in 2D and 3D as needed, and we can supply the underlying point cloud where the site has been captured by laser scanning.
When you need it
A topographical survey is the starting point for almost any project that changes a site:
- Planning applications, which need an accurate existing-site drawing
- Design development for buildings, landscaping, roads and drainage
- Setting out, translating the design back onto the ground accurately
- Level and drainage design, which depends on reliable ground levels
- Boundary and level records for development and land transactions
If your scheme relies on knowing the exact shape, levels and features of a site, a topographical survey provides the dependable base every later decision rests on.
Deliverables
- Layered CAD (DWG/DXF) topographical drawing, 2D and 3D
- Levels and contours tied to a defined datum, referenced to Ordnance Survey where required
- Natural and man-made features, boundaries and surface drainage
- Point cloud from the underlying capture, on request
- Survey specified to the detail and extent your project needs
What affects the price
Every job is priced to its scope. The main things that move the cost are:
- The size of the site and the level of surface detail required
- The density of features, boundaries and drainage to be recorded
- Whether 2D, 3D or a point cloud deliverable is needed
- Control, datum and Ordnance Survey referencing requirements
- Site access, terrain, vegetation and location
Send us the brief or call and we will confirm a fixed price for the work, free and with no obligation.
A survey you can plan around.
A clear, repeatable method on every job, so you know what is happening on site and what lands on your desk afterwards.
Scope
We agree the site extent, the level of detail, the datum and the CAD standard, so the survey is specified around your design and planning needs.
Capture
We survey the site using appropriate survey-grade instruments, establishing control and tying the work to a horizontal and vertical datum.
Process
We reduce the survey data and draw the topographical model, including levels, contours and features, to the agreed specification.
Deliver
We issue a layered CAD drawing in 2D and 3D, with the point cloud alongside where the site was laser scanned.
Questions we are asked about this service.
What is a topographical survey?
A topographical survey is an accurate measured drawing of a site’s surface, recording its levels, contours, boundaries and natural and man-made features. Tied to a datum, it gives architects, engineers and developers a reliable three-dimensional base to design and plan against.
What does a topographical survey include?
It typically includes ground levels and contours, buildings and structures, roads, paths and kerbs, walls, fences and other boundaries, trees and vegetation, and surface drainage and utility features such as manholes and gullies. The exact content is set by the level of detail and site extent agreed for your project.
What is the difference between a topographical survey and a measured building survey?
A topographical survey records the land and external site, its levels, features and boundaries. A measured building survey records a building itself as plans, elevations and sections. Projects often need both, and because we tie them to the same survey control, they align with one another.
Do I need a topographical survey for a planning application?
Most planning applications benefit from, and many require, an accurate existing-site drawing showing levels, boundaries and features. A topographical survey provides exactly that, giving the planning authority and your design team a dependable, measured record of the site as it exists.
What format is a topographical survey delivered in?
Surveys are delivered as layered CAD files in DWG and DXF, in 2D and 3D as required, drawn to an agreed specification and scale. Levels are tied to a defined datum, referenced to Ordnance Survey where needed, and we can provide the underlying point cloud where the site was captured by laser scanning.
Can you set out the design on site as well?
Yes. Because the survey is tied to established control and a datum, we can use the same control to set out the design accurately on the ground, translating the drawing back into physical positions for construction.
One team, from point cloud to pull test.
Topographical surveys in London
Accurate levels, features and boundaries on tight urban plots for planning submissions to London boroughs.
See the service CADMeasured building surveys
Accurate as-built floor plans, elevations and sections in CAD, drawn from a measured survey.
See the service PAS 128Utility surveys
Know what runs beneath the ground before you break it, detected and mapped to PAS 128 quality levels.
See the serviceSend us the brief. We will scope it.
Tell us the site, the deadline and what you need to know. We will confirm the right survey or test, the standard it meets and exactly what you will receive.
- 1Send the brief or call.
- 2We confirm scope, method and price, free and with no obligation.
- 3Booked, surveyed, reported.