Measured building survey of a heritage church using Leica 3D laser scanning technology.
What a Measured Building Survey Captures
Our measured building surveys record every element needed for design, planning and construction — from structural geometry to architectural detail — in a single, accurate site visit.
Structural layouts & grids
Overall building geometry, structural grids and the relationship between internal and external elements.
Walls, thicknesses & junctions
Wall positions, thicknesses, junctions and key structural components for design and analysis.
Doors, windows & openings
Positions, sizes, heights and opening directions for planning, refurbishment and fit-out.
Floor levels & circulation
Floor levels, ceiling heights, staircases, ramps and circulation routes for accurate coordination.
Roof structure & geometry
Roof construction, geometry and accessible roof areas for extensions, plant and maintenance.
Façades & external elevations
Façade features, building fabric and external elevations for design, conservation and planning.
Internal details & finishes
Architectural details, finishes and feature elements measured where required by scope.
Visible MEP elements
Radiators, plant, main risers and service routes included where required by the project scope.
All data is captured to a defined level of detail (LoD/LoI) and structured for immediate use in design, planning and construction workflows.
How a Measured Building Survey Works
Scope & Requirements
We confirm project objectives, required drawings or models, level of detail, coordinate system and programme — so the survey is scoped correctly before mobilisation.
On-Site Survey Capture
Internal and external areas are surveyed using Leica RTC360 3D laser scanners and total stations, working efficiently to minimise disruption to occupants and operations.
Data Processing & Quality Review
Point clouds and measurements are registered, cleaned and checked through structured QA procedures to ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency.
Deliverables Issued
CAD drawings, 3D models, point clouds and supporting data issued in agreed formats — clean, coordinated and ready for design, planning and construction use.
Da Vinci Engineering on-site in London with Leica survey equipment.
accuracy
within 24 hours
ready for design
insured surveyors
Who Needs a Measured Building Survey?
Our measured building surveys across London and the UK support a wide range of design, refurbishment, planning and construction projects, including:
Architectural design, refurbishment & fit-out
Accurate base drawings for re-planning layouts, refurbishments, fit-outs and internal reconfigurations — the foundation for any architectural project.
Extensions, renovations & conversions
Precise existing building survey data to support loft conversions, extensions, basement works and structural alterations where existing records are unavailable or incomplete.
Heritage documentation & conservation
Detailed measured records for listed buildings, conservation areas and heritage projects — supporting conservation statements, restoration and planning submissions.
Planning & regulatory submissions
Measured information for planning applications, listed building consents, permitted development assessments and other statutory approvals.
Structural & building services engineering
Accurate building geometry, floor levels and coordination data for structural design, MEP engineering and clash detection.
Asset management, BIM & digital twins
Up-to-date survey records for portfolio management, space planning, compliance and BIM-ready data suitable for digital twin and facilities management workflows.
Deliverables & Output Standards
All measured building survey outputs are professionally structured for immediate use by architects, engineers, designers and construction teams.
2D CAD drawings — floor plans, elevations & sections
Fully layered DWG files with scaled PDF copies. Floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plans and reflected ceiling plans to professional drawing standards.
3D BIM-ready models (Revit)
Revit models suitable for scan-to-BIM workflows and BIM coordination, produced to an agreed level of detail (LoD/LoI).
Registered point clouds
Fully registered and cleaned point cloud datasets for 3D modelling, clash detection, specialist analysis and as-built documentation.
Professional drawing scales (1:50, 1:100, 1:200)
Scales matched to project requirements — selected to suit architectural, engineering and planning purposes at every stage.
Structured CAD layering & annotation
Consistent layering, line weights and annotation aligned with CAD and BIM standards for efficient integration into any design workflow.
Coordinate systems & level references
OS-aligned grids or local project grids, with floor level references and spot levels included — ready for coordination and future survey phases.
Outputs are produced to agreed LoD/LoI specifications and are suitable for planning submissions, BIM workflows, detailed design and construction coordination.
Da Vinci Engineering surveyor carrying out a measured building survey in London.
Why Clients Choose Da Vinci Engineering
High-precision Leica 3D laser scanning
Leica RTC360 laser scanners and total stations combined with robust control networks — survey-grade accuracy, typically ±1–3mm.
Design-ready CAD & BIM outputs
Drawings and models structured for immediate use by architects, engineers and design teams — no reformatting required.
Minimal disruption on occupied sites
Surveys planned around building operations and occupants — efficient capture methods minimise downtime and disruption.
Fully insured & SSIP accredited
Qualified surveyors, clear method statements and appropriate insurance cover — professional compliance as standard.
Fast mobilisation & reliable delivery
Short-notice appointments available with delivery timed to your design programme and construction schedule.
Defined scope, transparent fees
Scope, deliverables and programme agreed at the outset — clear communication throughout, no hidden costs.
A dedicated survey partner — high-precision building data, structured for immediate use by architects, engineers and construction teams.
Transparent Fees.
No Surprises.
Every project is priced individually — fairly and transparently. You know the full cost before we arrive on site.
Fees are project-specific, based on building size, complexity, access constraints, the required level of detail and deliverable type (2D CAD, 3D Revit, point cloud) — ensuring a fair, competitive quotation every time.
- Fixed price agreed before mobilisation
- Priced on scope — not a day rate
- Like-for-like quote matching available
- No hidden fees or ambiguous extras
Flexible survey scheduling to support design and construction programmes — with fast mobilisation across London and the South East.
- Short-notice & next-day appointments
- Drawings within agreed programme on request
- Flexible scheduling around your programme
- Free no-obligation quote within 24 hours
Measured Building Survey FAQs
Our surveys are tailored to your requirements — from basic layout plans through to highly detailed architectural surveys including finishes, joinery and services. We agree the level of detail at the quotation stage to ensure the output is exactly what your design or planning workflow requires.
Standard deliverables include fully layered DWG CAD files and scaled PDFs covering floor plans, elevations and sections. We can also provide 3D Revit models, reflected ceiling plans and registered point cloud data in industry-standard formats including RCP, LGS and E57 — all confirmed and agreed at the quotation stage.
Yes — our surveys are suitable for BIM workflows and can be used to produce accurate 3D models in Revit and similar platforms. Point cloud data is fully registered and structured for immediate use in CAD and BIM software.
Yes — we can provide a browser-based walkthrough using Reality Cloud Studio, allowing you and your team to navigate the site, take measurements and review the survey data remotely without needing specialist software.
Using the Leica RTC360 3D laser scanner, positional accuracy is typically ±1–3mm across the building. All data is quality-checked against control before issue.
Yes — we regularly carry out surveys in occupied residential, commercial and public buildings. Our methods are non-intrusive and we work efficiently to minimise disruption to staff, tenants and building operations. Access requirements are agreed in advance.
We can usually mobilise within 1–2 working days of instruction, and often the next day. Drawings are issued within an agreed programme. Tell us your deadline and we will work to accommodate it.
Fees are project-specific, based on building size, number of floors, access constraints and the required deliverables (2D CAD, Revit model, point cloud). We provide clear, fixed-price quotations upfront — no hidden costs.
A measured building survey is a geometric record of a building — floor plans, elevations, sections and levels — produced for design, planning and construction purposes. A structural survey (also called a building survey or RICS Level 3 survey) is a condition assessment typically carried out for property purchase, reporting on defects, materials and structural integrity. These are distinct services for different purposes.
Planning applications for extensions, conversions and changes of use typically require accurate existing building drawings. A measured building survey produces the floor plans, elevations and sections that architects use as their design base — reducing assumptions and helping applications go through cleanly.
Survey duration depends on building size, floor count and scope. A typical single-floor commercial space or house takes half a day to a full day on site. Larger or more complex buildings may require multiple visits. Drawings are issued within an agreed programme — typically 3–5 working days from survey, with faster turnaround available on request.
Related Survey & Engineering Services
We provide a full range of land surveying and site engineering services across London and the South East.
Start Your Measured Building Survey
Share your building address and survey requirements — we will return a clear, fixed-price quotation within 24 hours. No commitment required.