What should I include in a scope for a land surveyor?

Summary: Measures your site so the design fits the land and the house is built in the right place.

Why it matters: Errors in levels or boundaries can cause drainage problems, encroachments and costly demolition. Most councils and certifiers need a survey.

Minimum scope by stage

• Design: contour and detail survey with levels to AHD (trees with trunk and canopy, structures, services, pits, poles, kerbs, driveways, neighbouring buildings with floor/ridge levels and windows); boundary identification; title, easement and covenant search; CAD file to the designer
• Planning (if required): extra detail on neighbouring buildings or ridge heights where height, privacy or shadow controls apply
• Construction: set-out of the building and boundaries; slab or formwork position and floor level check before pour (often required by certifier or lender, and where flood levels apply); ridge height check where height is close to the limit
• Completion: identification or as-constructed survey confirming building position, levels and no encroachments; works-as-executed survey of stormwater, sewer or driveway levels where council or the water authority requires it

Options

• Subdivision or strata plans (duplex)
• Easement creation or extinguishment
• Retaining wall and fence line set-out
• Drone or 3D scan for complex sites

Meetings and site visits: Field visits for the initial survey, each set-out, each check survey and the final survey. Confirm which are included and the price for extra visits.

Watch-out: Only a registered or licensed cadastral surveyor can identify boundaries. A contour survey alone does not confirm boundaries.