fbpx

Call 0333 335 5085 or send us a message

Home
Insights
FAQs
Services
Case Studies
Join our Team
Contact Us
Instant Quote
Instant Quote
Home
Insights
FAQs
Services
Case Studies
Join our Team
Contact Us
Instant Quote

What Is A Topographical Survey?

Topography is the study of the natural and artificial features of a landscape. Natural topographical features include terrain – the inclines, mounds and hollows of the land – as well as natural growth such as isolated trees and areas of woodland or scrub. They will also include bodies of water, including rivers and streams, ponds and lakes.

Artificial topographical features are man-made: roads and paths, boundaries, buildings and other structures, street signs, lighting and furniture, and visible services (manhole covers, power lines, telephone cabinets).

A topographical survey is an accurate and comprehensive assessment of a tract of land, used to create a three-dimensional map that shows the contours of the land and the position and height of its natural and artificial features. This includes details such as the position of road markings, the types of path and road surfaces and the heights of tree canopies, eaves heights and overhead cables.

Benefits Of A Topographical Survey

A topographical survey is useful for architects, engineers and developers as they can assess the potential of the land and plan developments that take into consideration any technical or planning limitations, and mitigate any potential risks.

On a construction site, a topological survey show details such as where earthworks need to be removed or added, where flood prevention measures are required, where existing underground utilities are located and where trees need to be retained and protected.

If a site is to be retained in its undeveloped state, a topological survey can also be key to creating natural, healthy habitats for wildlife.

A topographical survey can also help home and landowners accurately calculate the value of the property or land.

Do I Need A Topo Survey?

If your project is relatively small – for example, a house extension – it’s unlikely a topographical survey will be needed. Smaller projects that might require a topographical survey include moving or establishing boundaries.

For larger projects, however, planning authorities will require a topological survey as they will refer to it for considerations such as understanding the visual and environmental impact of the development and how it will connect with existing infrastructure and services.

The Topographical Survey Process

To carry out a topographical survey, the site is visited by a land surveyor who sets up specialised measuring equipment. Accurate to within 2mm, this technology records the heights and distances between land features, giving the surveying team the coordinates and data required to create a complex map of the land. At XP Surveys, this is created using specialist CAD technology that can output the map in AutoCAD (.dwg), Revit (.rvt) or portable document format (.pdf).

What Does A Topo Survey Cost?

As you can imagine, every piece of land is unique, so each topographical survey is a bespoke project. The size of the land and the number and type of natural and artificial features it contains will influence the cost as this increases the time it takes to measure, record and map.

Surveyors generally work on an hourly rate for their on-site work plus a fee for producing the drawings.

There are ways in which you can minimise the cost of a topographical survey. For a start, knowing exactly the level of detail and what features you want or need to record will avoid paying unnecessarily. You can also use tools such as Google Earth to create a satellite image of the land, using this to indicate the extent of the land and the features required.

Measured Survey vs Topo Survey

A measured survey differs from a topographical survey in that it’s a survey of the structure, services, and external and internal features of a building or buildings.

A measured survey is used for various purposes: to evaluate the property for sale or leasing, to plan internal spaces, and to provide a starting point for refurbishment or redevelopment.

Putting it in simple terms, a topographical survey relates to land while a measured survey relates to buildings.

Select Your Address

Edit

Select Your Services

Yes – This includes all plan types (i.e. floor, elevations, roof, sections).
No

  • We will survey all accessible floors in the property and provide plans showing all visible walls, windows, doors, spot height levels, ceiling/roof heights, window sill/head heights.

  • We will survey all accessible and visible sides of the property and provide elevation drawings showing the building outline, ridge/eaves heights, all external distinguishing elements such as windows, doors, rainwater pipes and other detailing. We will also include the outline of buildings within 3m of the host building.

  • Provided where our equipment has full visibility of the roof lines from ground level, we will note any estimated roof details on our drawings.

  • These are 'cut-through' cross-sectional drawings showing wall and floor details.

  • None
  • Basic
  • Mid
  • Full

None Selected

Select a topographical survey level to find out more.

Basic Topographical Survey

Will include the visible boundary outline only together with immediate ground levels around any buildings, and visible drainage cover location/levels.

Mid-level Topographical Survey

This topo will include the visible boundary outline, all key features and immediate ground levels within 3m of any buildings, and visible drainage cover location/levels.

Full Topographical Survey

Will include boundaries (including type and heights), building OUTLINES, adjoining buildings, trees, hardstanding, walls, fences, hedges, flowerbeds, kerblines, verges, manhole / service covers (including cover level), etc. plus all other visible salient features of the area.

Your Estimate

    • Total £999.99
    How do we calculate your estimate?

    We use Area data from your property's EPC certificate and the UK Ordnance Survey database to calculate your quote estimate. If there is not enough data in the UK database we cannot provide an instant quote, but one of our team will be able to provide a formal written quote by email within 48 working hours. If the database holds incorrect data on your property you will still be provided an estimate, but our fee is subject to change to suit the actual size of your property

    Your chosen surveys:

      (m2) Property Area
      (m2) Site Area
      If additional services or outputs are required during the delivery stage, additional fees will be added to your final bill as per our T&Cs here
      • Why choose us?
      • Book a survey within 48hrs
      • Fast turnaround on drawing output
      • Pinpoint accuracy
      • Ranked 5 stars on Google

      "I have found incredible flexibility and helpfulness in the XP Surveys team. In my last 10 professional years, I have rarely found a business, surveyors or otherwise, to be as useful, approachable and competitive as them. It helps provide confidence to myself and my clients alike."

      Ryan Godfrey

      Director and Founder at Elements Architectural

      Extras

      Other customers also considered purchasing these items:

      • Speedy Delivery

        20%

        7 day turnaround for delivery of your final drawings.

      • 360 Virtual Property Tours

        £999.00

        Record a full digital twin of a property for future reference. Free hosting for 3-months.

      • OS Map

        From: £40.00

        Perfect for planning applications or land registry titles. PDF & DWG output.

      • Roof Survey (Drone)

        £350.00

        Checking the condition of your roof will help you understand any potential remedial works required.

      • Drainage Survey (CCTV)

        £400.00

        Check the condition of your underground drainage pipework. Price may increase for properties above 6-bedrooms.

      • Hard Copy Prints

        £9.00

        Up to 3 black and white A1 prints to your door. Any additional prints will be charged at £3 per page in your final invoice. Most houses up to 6-bedrooms only require 3 pages.

      Total:

      All prices are exclusive of VAT

      Book Your Survey

      Select a date for your survey:

      Select a time for your survey:

      NOTE: Your survey may need a full day. Select your preference and we will discuss further once the booking is complete. Access to the property is required on arrival, but our surveyors do not require supervision thereafter.

      AM 8am–1pm
      PM 1pm–6pm
      If additional services or outputs are required during the delivery stage, additional fees will be added to your final bill as per our T&Cs here

      We’ll be in touch shortly!

      A member of the XP Surveys team will be in touch shortly

      Request a callback

      Please complete your contact details below so our team can get in touch to explain the different options and help you decide exactly which kind of survey you need.

      Or call 0333 335 5085

      Quote unavailable, but...

      We have saved your address and will email you a quote within 24 hours if you fill out the details below.

      Or call 0333 335 5085

      Optional

      Which services are you interested in?

      Yes – This includes all plan types (i.e. floor, elevations, roof, sections).
      No

      • We will survey all accessible floors in the property and provide plans showing all visible walls, windows, doors, spot height levels, ceiling/roof heights, window sill/head heights.

      • We will survey all accessible and visible sides of the property and provide elevation drawings showing the building outline, ridge/eaves heights, all external distinguishing elements such as windows, doors, rainwater pipes and other detailing. We will also include the outline of buildings within 3m of the host building.

      • Provided where our equipment has full visibility of the roof lines from ground level, we will note any estimated roof details on our drawings.

      • These are 'cut-through' cross-sectional drawings showing wall and floor details.

      • None
      • Basic
      • Mid
      • Full

      None Selected

      Select a topographical survey level to find out more.

      Basic Topographical Survey

      Will include the visible boundary outline only together with immediate ground levels around any buildings, and visible drainage cover location/levels.

      Mid-level Topographical Survey

      This topo will include the visible boundary outline, all key features and immediate ground levels within 3m of any buildings, and visible drainage cover location/levels.

      Full Topographical Survey

      Will include boundaries (including type and heights), building OUTLINES, adjoining buildings, trees, hardstanding, walls, fences, hedges, flowerbeds, kerblines, verges, manhole / service covers (including cover level), etc. plus all other visible salient features of the area.

      Upload any relevant files

      Drag and drop or browse your files.

        Tell us about your project

        Or call 0333 335 5085

        Optional

        ... xxx ...

        Or call 0333 335 5085

        Sorry, bear with us!

        We couldn't find enough data on your property to provide an accurate quote at present, however we will be in touch shortly.

        Preparing your estimate

        Sending

        Download our brochure