SITE SURVEYS · BUILDING PROJECTS
What Is a Site Survey and Why Is It Important Before Building?
A reliable design starts with reliable information about the property.
Short answer
A site survey records important physical information about the property, such as boundaries, levels, existing buildings and other features relevant to the project. Depending on the work, survey information helps designers, engineers and builders plan accurately and reduces the risk of designing from assumptions about the site.
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What Happens During a Builder Site Inspection?
This EBC site-inspection video complements the guide by showing why accurate site information, levels, access and existing conditions matter before construction.
Survey information helps establish the existing site
Before adding an extension or designing a new home, the project team needs to understand the property as it actually exists.
Accurate levels and measured site information are particularly useful where the design must connect new work to an existing house.
Different surveys answer different questions
The type and detail of survey required depends on the project. A feature and level survey, title re-establishment or other specialist survey may be needed in different circumstances.
The designer, surveyor, building surveyor or other project consultant can advise what information is appropriate.
Site surveys can reveal constraints early
- ✓Property boundaries
- ✓Existing building location
- ✓Ground levels and slope
- ✓Fences and significant site features
- ✓Visible services and structures
- ✓Relationships to neighbouring properties
- ✓Information needed to coordinate design and drainage
Early accuracy can prevent expensive redesign
If a concept is developed from inaccurate dimensions or assumed levels, later survey information can force changes to layout, structure or drainage.
Obtaining the right survey information early gives the design team a more reliable base to work from.
Planning a project like this? EBC builds home renovations, home extensions, custom new homes and knockdown rebuilds across Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs, and can talk through how this applies to your home.
Questions homeowners ask
Do I need a site survey for an extension?+
Often, because the new work must be designed in relation to the existing house, boundaries, levels and site conditions. The required survey scope depends on the project.
Is a land survey the same as a soil test?+
No. A survey records site geometry and property information, while soil investigation relates to ground conditions used for structural design.
Who arranges the site survey?+
It can be arranged by the homeowner, designer, builder or project consultant depending on how the project is being managed.
Can I design before the survey is complete?+
Early ideas can be explored, but detailed design is more reliable when based on accurate site information.
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Related EBC pages
- Planning a Home Extension
- Soil Tests Before Building
- Builder Site Inspection Guide
- Site Costs Explained