Which Measured Survey Deliverables Do You Need?
Which deliverables to order depends entirely on your project purpose. Here's the decision breakdown:
Order Floor Plans Only When:
| Use Case | Why It's Enough | | --- | --- | | Space planning / room layout | Need room dimensions, circulation, furniture placement | | Marketing materials | Basic property documentation | | Area calculations (GIA/NIA) | Floor plans capture gross/net internal area | | Simple records update | No external changes planned |
Order Full Survey (Floor Plans + Elevations + Sections) When:
| Use Case | Why You Need All Three | | --- | --- | | Planning application | Council requires existing elevations and sections | | Extension or refurbishment | Design needs external envelope and internal vertical relationships | | Listed building consent | Accurate vertical relationships critical | | Structural engineering | Need floor-to-ceiling heights, roof structure, wall thicknesses | | Complex geometry | Irregular walls, level changes, complex roof forms | | BIM or 3D modelling | Coordinated dataset for Revit model |
What Each Deliverable Shows
- Floor plans — Internal layout, walls, doors/windows, room sizes, ceiling heights
- Elevations — External façade condition, window/door dimensions, roof details, drainpipes, wall irregularities
- Sections — Floor-to-ceiling heights, floor construction depths, stair profiles, roof structure, voids/cavities
Industry Standard Scales
- Floor plans and sections: 1:50
- Elevations: 1:100
The Quick Answer
If you're doing any construction work, extension, or planning application, order the full package (floor plans + elevations + sections). If you only need room layouts for space planning or marketing, floor plans alone suffice.
Typical Costs by Deliverable Set
| Deliverable Set | Typical Price (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Floor plans only | From £495 | | Floor plans + elevations | From £750 | | Full package (plans + elevations + sections) | From £1,000 | | Full package + ceiling plans + roof plan | From £1,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I add deliverables after the survey?
Yes, additional deliverables can usually be added within a reasonable timeframe. However, adding elevations or sections after the site visit may require a return visit — order everything upfront to avoid extra costs.
Q: What format are the drawings delivered in?
AutoCAD (DWG) and PDF as standard. BIM/Revit models available on request.
Q: Do I need elevations for a house extension planning application?
Yes — most planning applications require all four external elevations showing the current property condition, plus floor plans and sections.