Measured Building Surveys in Cornwall & Devon

What a measured building survey includes

• Floor plans for every storey, showing walls, openings, stairs, fixed fittings and floor levels

• Internal and external elevations, with window and door openings, string courses, eaves and ridge heights

• Cross and long sections through the building where the design needs them

• Ceiling heights, floor-to-floor dimensions and spot levels

• Roof plan and roof structure where accessible

• Site context around the building, tied to the same survey control

• Related to OS National Grid and Ordnance Datum where the project needs it, or to a local grid and datum for standalone jobs

Scope is agreed before we start. If you only need floor plans, that is all you pay for. Basements, lofts, outbuildings and site surveys can be added or excluded as the job requires.

How we measure

Most buildings are captured with a Trimble X9 3D laser scanner, controlled by a Trimble robotic total station so every scan sits on the same survey grid. Scanning records the whole building in one visit, including awkward details such as sloping floors, out-of-plumb walls and historic roof structures, which is why it suits older Cornish properties well. Smaller or simpler jobs are measured directly by total station and laser distance meter.

Drawings are produced from the registered point cloud in CAD, so dimensions can be checked back against the raw data at any time.

Deliverables

• Layered DWG CAD drawings, compatible with AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Revit and ArchiCAD

• PDF drawings at a stated scale, typically 1:50 or 1:100

• Registered point cloud in E57 or RCP format on request

• Drawings in 2D, or as a 3D model where the design team needs it

Typical projects

• Extensions and loft conversions to houses and bungalows

• Barn, chapel and commercial conversions

• Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, where planning officers need accurate as-existing drawings

• Hotels, holiday parks and commercial premises being refurbished or reconfigured

• Lease plans and floor area measurement for landlords, agents and solicitors

How it works

1. Send the property address, the type of project and any existing drawings or photographs.

2. We confirm the scope: which floors, elevations and sections you need, and the level of detail.

3. You receive a fixed quotation, usually within one working day.

4. We arrange a survey date. Most houses are captured in a single visit.

5. Drawings are issued in DWG and PDF, with the point cloud if requested.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a measured building survey take?

On site, most houses take half a day to a day. Drawings for a typical house follow within one to two weeks, depending on the number of elevations and sections. Larger buildings are programmed job by job.

How accurate are the drawings?

Survey control is established by total station, and the scanner records points to a few millimetres. Drawings are produced to suit the agreed scale, typically 1:50, which is well within what extensions, conversions and planning applications require.

Do you need the building to be empty?

No. Furniture and occupants are normal. We work around them and will let you know if anything blocks a wall or detail we need.

Do I need a topographical survey as well?

If the project involves new build, levels or anything outside the existing walls, a combined measured building and topographical survey saves a second visit. We can quote both together.

Can you work from an architect's brief?

Yes. Send their drawing list or specification and we will quote to match it.