Worcestershire · UK-wide coverage
Topographical Surveys
Accurate, detailed land surveys across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and the UK, the reliable foundation for design, planning and construction.
What is a topographical survey?
A topographical survey, often called a land survey or topo, is the accurate mapping of the natural and man-made features of a site. It records the position and level of everything that matters to your project: buildings, boundaries, ground levels, trees, roads, drainage and visible services.
The result is a precise, scaled drawing of your site as it actually exists, rather than as older mapping suggests it might. Architects and designers work directly over it, planners rely on it, and contractors set out from it, so accuracy at this stage saves time and cost at every stage that follows.
What we capture
Every survey is specified around your project, but a typical topographical survey includes:
- Ground levels and contours, including a digital terrain model where required
- Buildings and structures, with ridge, eaves and floor levels
- Boundary features: walls, fences, hedges and gates
- Trees, with trunk positions, girths and canopy spreads for arboricultural work
- Roads, paths, drives and other hard landscaping
- Visible services: manholes, gullies and inspection covers with cover and invert levels
- Street furniture, signage, overhead lines and adjacent features that affect design
Surveys are related to the Ordnance Survey National Grid and Datum using GNSS as standard, so your drawing sits correctly against OS mapping and other datasets.
When you might need one
- Planning applications for extensions, new dwellings and commercial development
- Residential and commercial redevelopment or change of use
- Architectural and landscape / garden design
- Highway and drainage design
- Tree constraint plans and arboricultural reports
- Boundary checks and title plan comparisons
- 3D site models and visualisations
- Accurate historical records of land and estates
Recent topographical surveys
Deliverables
Drawings are supplied in the format that suits your workflow, most commonly 2D or 3D CAD (DWG) with a fully layered PDF. We can work to your own layer and CAD standards on request, and point cloud data or 3D models can be provided for projects that need them. Every drawing is checked in the office against field data before issue.
How we work
Send us the site address and a red-line or extent plan, and we’ll return a fixed quote with a clear specification and timescale, usually within one working day. On site, we establish survey control with GNSS and capture detail using robotic total stations and 3D laser scanning where the site suits it. Finished drawings are issued by email or file transfer, and we’re always happy to talk the data through with your designer.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the size and complexity of the site and the level of detail required. A small residential plot costs considerably less than a multi-hectare development site. Every job is quoted individually and fixed, so send us the details for an accurate price.
Most residential sites are surveyed in a single visit, with drawings typically issued within a few working days. Timescales are confirmed with your quote and we have a good record of beating them.
Just the site address, the extent you’d like surveyed (a marked-up plan is ideal) and any access arrangements. If the survey supports a planning application, let us know and we’ll make sure the specification covers what your architect and the local authority expect.
We can pick up adjoining features visible from your land or public areas, which is often enough for context. Where access to neighbouring land is needed, we’ll advise on the best approach.
Fixed quotes, usually within 1 working day.
Or call 01684 259952 · info@preciselandsurveys.co.uk