What is an as-built survey and drawing?
As-built surveys look at the key built features of a site. They are usually completed on large construction projects such as new housing estates, commercial premises or industrial estates. A surveyor can carry out multiple as-built surveys at certain key project stages or a single survey once the project is complete.
The information collected during an as-built site survey is not as detailed as a full topographical survey or measured surveys, yet still provides an important record. It can be used to check that a development is being built correctly according to the original plans. It may be needed by statutory authorities before they can adopt new infrastructure. As-built surveys also provide new owners or operators with an accurate layout and infrastructure plan that they can refer back to in the future.
Check surveys
A check survey is a measured survey carried out to check a particular feature or part of the building’s construction. This type of survey will be very specific and is usually needed to meet contractual requirements or to inform material ordering.
Check surveys can be used to check the construction of various elements, including:
When is the best time to get an as-built survey?
As-built surveys are normally completed right at the end of a project and at key stages of the construction process. This is usually because evidence of what has already been done is required before the next stage can begin.
Common project stages for as-built surveys
After installation of foundations
Check the levels and positions before brickwork, steel or a timber frame are installed.
Completing access roads
Check the levels of the surface, gullies and manholes before the top dressing is completed.
Preparing new housing estates for sale
As-built records for housing developments show property layouts and boundaries so accurate proposed ownership plans can be drawn up.
New ownership of mothballed sites
Provides the new developer with a detailed record of what they are purchasing, enabling them to understand what is required to finish the project.
How can as-built drawings be used?
An as-built survey at completion will allow the builder to demonstrate to the developer that they have fulfilled their contracts by providing an independent record of what they have constructed. The developer is also provided with a record of what has been built. They can use this to release payments to contractors at key agreed stages. It also enables them to demonstrate to funders, statutory bodies and accreditation schemes that the development has been built as planned and to the correct standards.
As-built surveys can be an important starting point for architects and engineers when taking over a project that has been mothballed. The survey provides an accurate baseline for redesigning a project partway through or when an alternative design is needed to overcome a problem.
An as-built survey provides new property owners with accurate plans that they can use in numerous ways. They can assist when choosing internal furniture layouts, including the design and installation of fixed furnishings. They can be used to develop and design external areas, like soft landscaping. They can be used by building owners to plan car parking and access, as well as emergency evacuation procedures. Post-construction record surveys may also help with insurance valuations.
What is in our as-built survey drawings?
An as-built survey focuses on features that are new and normally focus on buildings and infrastructure. It will cover items that statutory authorities want to see before they sign off a scheme. This means they are often tailored to individual projects. For example, soft landscaping details may be recorded for a complex landscaping scheme, but not a housing estate.
We provide our 2D as-built drawings in PDF and CAD formats. Paper copies can be provided on request.
What’s included?
During construction
The as-built drawings can include various features, such as:
- Steel positions, levels and alignment
- Foundation pile positions
- Strip foundation locations and widths
- Floor levels
Post-construction
- Building positions
- Finished floor or threshold levels
- Ridge and eave heights
- Boundary features installed (walls, fences)
- Road positions and levels
- Drainage positions and levels
Why choose Cheshire Surveys
We provide a range of surveys and related services across the North West, Cheshire, North Staffordshire and North Wales.
Passion & technical expertise
25+ years experience
Quality services tailored to your project
Meet our team on site
How are as-built surveys carried out?
As-built surveys start with a site visit and we will arrange all access requirements with you in advance. How long it takes will depend on both the size and complexity of the site: as-built site surveys can be anything from a couple of hours to several days. We’ll tell you in advance how long we expect to be on site.
We need your site to be as clean and tidy as possible so we can access it safely and survey it properly. You must inform us of any health and safety issues that could impact how we access the site. There may be circumstances where the site visit has to be postponed. Severe weather, access issues or restrictions on site all impact our ability to carry out the survey.
Once the survey has been successfully completed, the surveyor will need time to process the data and create the survey drawing. We aim for you to receive your survey data from us as soon as possible. We’ll give you an expected delivery date and update you if this changes for any reason.
How much does an as-built survey cost?
The cost of an as-built survey is dependent on:
The size of the site
The stage of the project
The tidiness of the site and access arrangements
Large housing estate
An as-built survey of 200 homes on a new housing estate (including entrance and access road) on completion.
Estimated cost: £5000+ VAT
Small house development
An as-built survey of a mothballed small housing development of 8 homes.
Estimated cost: £1500.00 + VAT
New school building
An as-built line and level survey of the steel installation for a new school building.
Estimated cost: £750.00 + VAT
Speak to our experts
Get free advice or a quote from our experienced team.
We’re known for our reliable, quality service and attention to detail.
Who we work with
How we work
Step 01
Request a quote
We’ll need your project’s address and a site plan. We’ll then get in touch for a consultation to confirm site details and understand exactly what your project needs.
Step 02
Quote accepted
Once your project is confirmed with us, we’ll arrange a convenient date for your survey.
Step 03
We complete your survey
We’ll visit your project site to carry out the survey. We can meet you on site if needed. We will then process the survey data and create a survey drawing.
Step 04
Receive your survey
We’ll share the survey data with you, usually within a few days. We use industry standard file types and can issue all the drawings in multiple formats.
Explore by project
More surveys we offer
Topographical Surveys
Accurate, scaled plan of a site’s terrain, and a record of the position and levels of both manmade and natural features.
Measured Building Surveys
3D site survey of a building’s layout and structure that can also be used to produce floor plans, elevations and cross-section drawings.
As-Built Surveys
A fully up-to-date record of what has just been constructed, ensuring it matches the proposed plans. Useful for producing further plans that require an accurate site layout.
Boundary Surveys
Clearly understand your boundary lines, remove uncertainty around neighbouring land, and prevent disputes.
Floor Level Surveys
Quality survey check for various floor construction stages, from existing floors to newly constructed slabs.
Garden Surveys
Highly detailed, specialist topographical survey for garden landscaping and redesigns.
GPS Surveys
Ideal for covering large open spaces, like fields, or where access may be restricted or challenging.
Ground Investigation Services
Reliable and accurate location data for ground investigations like CBR tests, boreholes and trial pits. We record data and mark out investigation and monitoring points.
Movement Monitoring Surveys
Tracking and recording movement or alterations, such as crack monitoring and land movements, in either a built structure or a landform.
River & Floodplain Surveys
Surveys of riverbanks and beds, as well as adjacent floodplains. We record water levels and significant features for flood risk assessments and erosion monitoring.
Road Surveys
Comprehensive record of current road layouts and levels, including kerbs, street furniture and road markings. Ideal for visibility splays and new highways designs.
Setting Out
Geocordinated setting out services for building groundworks and steelworks for new housing, commercial and industrial sites.
Surveys for Land Registry Title Plans
Site surveys for creating Land Registry compliant plans to record areas of sale, transfer, correction or first registration.
Volumetric Surveys & Terrain Models
Measuring the total amount of stockpiled, extracted or collected materials and aggregates. Suitable for construction, calculating and auditing.
