A topographical survey (commonly known as a topo survey) is a comprehensive and accurate assessment of a site or section of land, which takes into account all potential considerations that relate to a specific planned future development.
Considerations Assessed During A Topographical Land Survey Include:
Natural features and environmental considerations
Man-made features, both current and historic
Location of utilities, identified by drainage covers, electricity poles, gas meters, etc. In London in particular, there can be a huge amount going on under the ground, see this helpful article on Thames Water Build-Over Agreements
The surroundings, e.g. shade from neighbouring properties and the potential light blocking on neighbours, being overlooked or overlooking surrounding buildings, blocking views above certain heights, and surrounding environment considerations
Topographical surveys are 3-dimensional (height being an important measurement, not just gridline position), and will often be related to GPS positioning and/or Ordinance Survey references. CAD software is the widely accepted industry standard that allows accurate 3D mapping to be saved digitally, which can then be outputted in a variety of 3D and 2D views as required.
An extract from a topographical survey is shown below, showing the level of detail and accuracy of measurements:
What Is The Purpose Of A Topographical Survey?
When a topographical survey is requested, there is always a potential development being considered, e.g. a residential or commercial property development.
The purpose of the topo survey is to assess all limitations and considerations relating to the site in question, to allow the architect or property developer to assess the feasibility of the proposed development, as well as decide what can and can’t be done, bearing in mind the findings of the topo survey.
Who Uses Topo Surveys?
Whilst topo surveys are often requested by architecture firms and property developers, the range of people and organisations that may want a topographical survey conducted is wide.
Homeowners and commercial property owners who want to assess the value of their property or section of land for future alternative development may well need a topo survey to help them evaluate this.
And construction companies who have an in-house design team are another common client of a topographical survey provider, like XP Surveys.
Important Considerations
Accuracy – if you’re planning to put down foundations within millimetres of a mains water feed or electric cable or sewer, you need to know your measurements are accurate! XP Surveys use technology which is accurate to within + or – 2mm.
Thoroughness – also known as attention to detail – there’s no point in researching 9 out of 10 important considerations and leaving 1 or 2 major issues out of the report, that would scupper the proposed development in the late stages of the planning application. Companies conducting a topographical survey service need to consider every possible aspect that could constrain or even prevent the proposed development, even if a skilled architect can then design a workaround, they still need to be identified in the first place. For this reason, hiring a specialist firm of topographical survey professionals like XP Surveys is crucial, their experience and level of detail will provide the correct level of service, in contrast with a more general surveying company. A good topo survey professional will be collaborative and consult with a variety of other specialists where required, such as tree preservation specialists, bat survey specialists, etc.
Service Levels – construction projects have deadlines and involve a complex network of different professions and organisations, including architects, council planning departments, construction companies, and clients. Good quality service aspects like turning up for the survey at the agreed date and time are an important consideration when selecting a firm to conduct a topo survey.
Measured Building Surveys vs Topo Surveys
In layman’s terms, a topo survey is an accurate, detailed, and thorough site survey or land survey, more concerned with the potential of the site (i.e. a plot of land defined by a specific boundary), than it is concerned about any existing buildings on that site.
A measured building survey, by contrast, is focused on the existing building(s), and so is more appropriate when renovating or extending an existing property, than the overall potential of the plot that the property is located on.
Standard Pricing and Bespoke Packages
While our measured survey pricing guide page gives helpful and transparent information on the typical costs of topo surveys, we do regard every survey request as a bespoke requirement.
If a site warrants a particularly detailed examination of various aspects, maybe due to its conservation area status or historic significance, or even due to the ambitious nature of the planned development, then a tailored survey package will be quoted on each occasion, suited to your requirements.
Areas We Cover
At the moment, we cover Greater London and the Home Counties.
London has many additional considerations not found in less densely populated areas of the UK, so hiring a local specialist if your project is within London is a smart choice.
Each borough of London has its own set of restrictions and local history, so again, a London-based topo surveys firm is a smart choice for any construction projects in the London area.
Technology
Using our specialist equipment, our CAD surveys can output in AutoCAD (.DWG), Revit (.RVT) or PDF formats.
This gives you contours, GPS positioning, levels and 2D sections in any direction required.
As every ArchiCAD user knows, it’s a great program for 2D and 3D architects’ work as it brings together technical and aesthetics into one model and uses the ever-more popular BIM (Building Information Modelling) framework. Unlike most other architectural design software, the ArchiCAD program was built for architecture from the start, rather than being an […]
Matterport tours offer watchers high-quality digital 360° video tours of a property using software and smart cameras (or even smartphones) and are perfect for immersive 360° house tours. After capturing dozens of 3D images of each room, with its décor, furnishings, layout, and so on, the software pieces together a high-definition panorama allowing watchers to […]
The latest unmanned survey techniques and advancing technology, platforms, optics, ease of control, and fast download speeds mean that a drone survey cost is now a great investment. Our customers for drone surveys include homeowners, builders, landlords, and civil engineering firms that want a fast and accurate drone roof survey and inspection to show due […]
Measured Surveys In London Are you searching for a measured survey in London? With Greater London being home to approximately one-sixth of the UK’s population, it’s no wonder that when it comes to measured survey requirements the demand is high due to the vast amounts of construction, renovation, and building regeneration taking place here, compared […]
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
We’ll be in touch shortly!
A member of the XP Surveys team will be in touch shortly
Request a callback
Or call 0333 335 5085
Quote unavailable, but...
Or call 0333 335 5085
Optional
Optional
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.
