What is a floor level survey?
A floor level survey shows how level and flat floors are, as well as any measurable defects. If corrections or improvements are needed, the floor survey can also help you to calculate the amount of new materials required. It provides construction companies with accurate data for existing floors or those under construction.
Also known as a floor flatness survey, a land surveyor uses advanced surveying equipment to collect precise measurements. These are used to produce detailed plans of the floor surface. We deliver the floor level survey results with a detailed report of the floor’s slope and surface characteristics.
When should you use a floor level survey?
New construction
Monitor floors across construction phases, preventing costly rework and delays.
Logistics and industrial
Ensure floors are suitable for heavy machinery, high traffic and automated equipment.
Redevelopment
Check floor quality when modifying a building, including for change of use.
Safety and suitability
Be sure floors meet safety standards and are suitable for their day-to-day use.
Why are floor surveys needed?
Residential floors
Residential floors need to be safe and suitable for everyday home uses. It’s acceptable for there to be some minor variation in the floors’ levelness and surface regularity, so long as it doesn’t cause any significant issues.
If the floors don’t meet the right standards, they could prevent doors from closing fully or affect how furniture is placed. The floors also need to be suitable for the installation of carpets, tile or wood flooring.
Floor tolerances
The floor level and flatness tolerances for new construction as per NHBC:
Commercial, industrial and warehouse floors
Commercial and industrial buildings have higher requirements for floors compared to domestic homes. From restaurants and shop floors to warehouses and factories, it’s vital that floors meet performance and safety standards.
The floor levels and flatness often need to be suitable for higher foot traffic, large loads and heavy machinery. The tolerance standards can vary depending on what the environment will be used for.
Increasingly, robotic equipment is being used in commercial and industrial settings. These and other equipment need suitable surfaces and level areas to run most efficiently. For instance, on warehouse floors it enables material handling equipment like lift trucks to safely operate at higher speeds. Uneven surfaces can cause excessive vibration for equipment, increasing downtime and maintenance.
Surveying the floors’ flatness and levelness ensures safe and efficient workplaces, with floors finished to a high standard.
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.
Flat floors and level floors
Although these professional quality checks are known as both floor level surveys and floor flatness surveys, there are important differences between flat and level floors. Level means the floor is parallel with the horizon, while flat means the surface has no significant high or low spots – also known as surface regularity.
A flat floor may not be level and a level floor may not be flat, as illustrated here. Our floor surveys check for both levels and flatness, ensuring the floor meets the building’s needs.
Benefits of our floor surveys
Better machinery and equipment performance
Improved on-site safety and less operator fatigue
Reduce potential stock damage and accidents
Greater aesthetic quality and appearance of the floor
Compliant with industry guidelines and standards
What do our floor level surveys include?
Our floor level surveys analyse the entire floor for comprehensive and accurate results. We utilise laser scanners and total stations for a detailed assessment.
The survey gives a grid of levels across the floor, normally at 1m intervals. Laser scanning can provide a ‘heat’ map of high and low spots on the floor to show surface regularity. These can be compared to a benchmark position or critical datum required on site.
We’ll provide a comprehensive assessment and identify any irregularities so you can determine whether your floors meet industry standards. The floor level survey results can be shared as 2D or 3D drawings.
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 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.
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.
