Measured Survey Template: What to Include in Your Specification
A clear measured survey specification ensures you receive the right deliverables in the right format. Use this template when commissioning your next survey.
Measured Survey Specification Template
| Field | Recommendation | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | Property address | Full postal address | 12 High Street, London W1 | | Scope | Define all areas | All floors, roof, boundary | | Deliverables | List formats | DWG + PDF | | Scales | Specify each | Plans 1:50, site 1:200 | | Levels | All or selected | All levels including basement | | Elevations | Specify | All four sides | | Sections | Specify | One cross-section | | Coordinate system | OS National Grid | ODN datum preferred | | LOD level | For BIM projects | LOD 200/300/350/400 |
Measured Survey Scope Reference
| Element | Standard Scope | | --- | --- | | All floors | Yes — including basement | | All elevations | Yes — all four sides | | Roof plan | If accessible | | Site plan | Boundary and outbuildings | | Sections | One or two cross-sections | | Levels | All floor-to-floor heights | | Window dimensions | Width, height, sill level |
Drawing Scales by Use
| Use | Scale | | --- | --- | | Planning application | 1:50 or 1:100 | | Building regulations | 1:50 | | Design development | 1:50 or 1:100 | | Information/property particulars | 1:100 or 1:200 | | Site plan | 1:200 or 1:500 |
Common Specification Mistakes
| Mistake | Impact | Fix | | --- | --- | --- | | No scope defined | Surveyor misses areas | Walk the site, list all zones | | Wrong scale | Drawings not fit for purpose | 1:50 for planning, 1:100 for info | | No elevations specified | Planning rejected | Check local authority requirements | | Wrong format | Drawings incompatible with software | DWG is standard — confirm version | | No coordinate system | Drawings won't align with other surveys | Specify OS National Grid |
2025 Measured Survey Costs (ex VAT)
| Property | DWG + PDF | Full Survey (Plans + Elevations + Section) | | --- | --- | --- | | 2–3 bed | £400–£600 | £600–£900 | | 4+ bed | £500–£800 | £800–£1,200 | | Commercial | £800–£1,500 | £1,200–£2,000 | | Listed | £900–£1,500+ | £1,500–£2,500+ |
How to Use This Template
To use this template, copy the fields into your own brief or specification document, then complete the right-hand column with the values that match your project. The scope, deliverables, scales, levels, elevations, sections, coordinate system, and LOD level (for BIM projects) are the eight critical fields that most commonly cause a re-work cycle if left blank. The scale should match the intended use: 1:50 for planning applications and building regulations, 1:100 for design development and information, and 1:200 or 1:500 for site plans. The coordinate system should be OS National Grid with Ordnance Datum Newlyn heights for any UK project; specifying this at the brief stage prevents downstream alignment issues with the architect's or structural engineer's other drawings. The deliverables list should also confirm whether a signed accuracy statement is in scope; this is the document that demonstrates the survey was carried out to a recognised accuracy band, and is the QA evidence for downstream design, planning, or building control. All icelabz measured surveys are issued under the RICS Measured Surveys of Land, Buildings and Utilities standard (3rd edition) for downstream design, planning, or building control use.