Measured Survey Checklist: What to Check Before You Book
Use this checklist to commission the right measured survey for your project.
1. Define Your Survey Purpose
| Purpose | Typical Deliverables | | --- | --- | | Floor plan for personal use | Basic 2D floor plans | | Architectural design / refurbishment | 2D/3D CAD, ceiling plans, elevations | | Planning application | Floor plans + external elevations + sections | | BIM / 3D modelling | Point cloud data + Revit model | | Lease / space planning | IPMS-compliant floor areas |
2. Verify Surveyor Credentials
Before booking, confirm:
- ✅ RICS-regulated firm or RICS member
- ✅ Experience with your property type (period / commercial / residential)
- ✅ Professional indemnity insurance (minimum £10M)
- ✅ Samples of previous work
3. Confirm What's Included
Standard deliverables:
| Deliverable | Included? | | --- | --- | | Internal / external walls, doors, windows | ✅ | | Floor plans for all accessible floors | ✅ | | Ceiling heights, floor levels, beam heights | ✅ | | Fixed fixtures (WCs, sinks, basins) | ✅ | | Stairs, columns, structural elements | ✅ | | DWG files for architect | ✅ |
Optional extras — confirm upfront:
| Deliverable | Extra Cost | | --- | --- | | External elevations | Yes | | Cross-sections (additional) | Yes | | Roof plan | Yes | | Reflected ceiling plan | Yes | | Point cloud / E57 file | Yes | | Revit BIM model | Yes | | Topographic / site plan | Yes |
4. Questions to Ask Before Booking
| Question | Why It Matters | | --- | --- | | "Are you RICS regulated?" | Professional accountability | | "What's your accuracy band?" | RICS 3rd edition standards | | "What deliverables are included?" | Avoid scope surprises | | "How long will the site visit take?" | Plan access and disruption | | "What's the total timeline for drawings?" | Planning deadline alignment | | "Can you survey an occupied building?" | If property is lived-in | | "What equipment do you use?" | Laser scanner vs total station | | "Are there any additional costs?" | Travel, access equipment | | "How many rounds of revisions?" | Professional surveyors include revisions |
5. Client Preparation Checklist
Before the surveyor arrives:
- [ ] Clear access to all rooms / areas to be surveyed
- [ ] Move furniture blocking walls, windows, doors
- [ ] Arrange for all keys to be available
- [ ] Confirm loft / roof access (hatch accessible or scaffold needed)
- [ ] Notify surveyor of any locked areas
- [ ] Note any specific features to capture (fireplaces, cornices, beams)
- [ ] Inform neighbours if external access to adjacent property is needed
- [ ] Check if basement / cellar is accessible
- [ ] Confirm parking / site access for survey vehicle
Information to provide to surveyor:
- [ ] Full property address with postcode
- [ ] Approximate floor area (GIA)
- [ ] Number of floors and any basements / lofts
- [ ] Building type (Victorian, 1930s, etc.)
- [ ] Whether property is listed or in a conservation area
- [ ] Planning authority (LPA) and any pre-application advice reference
- [ ] What the drawings will be used for (planning, design, lease)
- [ ] Required deliverables and formats
6. After the Survey
- [ ] Review drawings against site visit memory — flag any discrepancies immediately
- [ ] Check all floor levels and ceiling heights
- [ ] Confirm all rooms are measured and labelled correctly
- [ ] Verify scale bar and north point on every drawing
- [ ] Request revisions within agreed scope before final payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I specify the coordinate system in my brief?
Yes — specify OS National Grid for planning applications. Local grid is acceptable for non-planning uses.
Q: What happens if the surveyor misses something?
Contact immediately and request correction. Professional surveyors include revisions within scope.
Q: Can I add deliverables after commissioning?
Yes — but at additional cost. Commission everything upfront.
Q: How do I know if a surveyor is properly qualified?
Check RICS registration at rics.org. RICS-regulated firms carry professional indemnity insurance.
Q: What is the RICS 3rd Edition specification?
RICS Measured Surveys 3rd Edition (2023) sets UK standards for measured building surveys — survey accuracy bands, tolerances, and deliverables.