Complete Building Data Capture
Measured Building Survey
Drone Site Surveys provides accurate measured building surveys across the UK, delivering floor plans, elevations and cross-sections for planning, refurbishment, design and property management.
Using 3D LiDAR scanning, drone photogrammetry and survey control, we collect detailed building data and convert it into practical digital outputs.
Depending on the project, these can include roof plans, point clouds, AutoCAD drawings, Revit models and BIM-ready information.
By combining aerial and ground-based surveying methods, we can record internal spaces, external façades and difficult-to-access roof areas within one coordinated survey.
For guidance on survey accuracy and level of detail requirements, refer to the RICS Measured Surveys of Land, Buildings and Utilities guidance.
Discuss Your Survey Requirements
What Is a Measured Building Survey?
A measured building survey creates an accurate record of a property as it exists at the time of the survey.
Dimensions, layouts, levels and key building features are recorded to give architects, surveyors, contractors and property teams reliable information to work from.
This can reduce the risk of planning, design or construction work using outdated, incomplete or inaccurate drawings.
The information captured and level of detail can be tailored to suit each project’s requirements.
Floor Plans, Elevations and As-Built Cross-section .dwgs
Measured building data can be used to produce a range of drawings and digital deliverables, including:
- Measured floor plans
- External elevations
- Cross-sections
- Roof plans
- As-built drawings
- Registered point clouds
- 3D building models
- Revit models
- BIM-ready information
The required deliverables are agreed upon before capture so the survey collects the information needed for its intended use.
Tell Us Your Plans - We’ll Advise on the Drawings
3D LiDAR Scanning and Drone Photogrammetry
Different parts of a property may require different capture methods.
Terrestrial laser scanning and LiDAR are particularly useful for recording internal spaces, layouts and accessible external areas.
Drone photogrammetry and drone-based LiDAR can capture roofs, façades and high-level features that may otherwise require scaffolding, access platforms or working at height.
Merged Point Clouds combining these technologies can create a coordinated dataset covering the building from internal spaces through to external elevations and roof areas.
When Is Accurate Building Data Required?
Accurate existing-building information can support projects including:
- Refurbishment and retrofit
- Extensions and alterations
- Architectural design
- Planning applications
- Space planning
- Building maintenance
- Asset management
- Roof and façade works
- As-built verification
- Revit and BIM projects
Reliable building data gives project teams a clear starting point and supports better decisions before design, refurbishment, or construction work begins.
Higher-Risk Buildings and the Golden Thread
For higher-risk buildings, measured survey data can support accurate record-keeping, refurbishment planning, and maintaining the building’s golden thread of information.
Accurate floor plans, elevations, cross-sections and other measured building information can help provide an up-to-date record of a property.
Where relevant, this survey data may support drawings and plans used for refurbishment, design changes, building work and the ongoing management of building information.
Measured survey data supports these records but does not, by itself, demonstrate compliance with Building Safety Act requirements.
Commercial Building and Property Surveys
We work across offices, warehouses, industrial buildings, retail units, residential blocks, healthcare facilities, schools, universities and public-sector properties.
Surveys can be completed for individual buildings or coordinated across larger property portfolios where consistent drawings, models or digital records are required across multiple sites.
Survey Accuracy, Control and Level of Detail
The accuracy required for a measured building survey depends on how the final information will be used.
Where appropriate, survey control and ground control points can help accurately position captured data and maintain consistency across larger buildings and sites.
Drawings and models can also be produced to an agreed level of detail, ensuring the final output contains the information required without unnecessary additional detail.
Get Your Survey Project Started
From Site Capture to 3D Model, Revit, CAD and BIM
Our team manages the workflow from initial survey planning through to final delivery.
Following capture, the survey data is processed and checked before being converted into the agreed drawings, point clouds or digital models.
This coordinated workflow helps maintain consistency between the information collected on site and the final project deliverables.
Send Us Your Property Details
Why Choose Drone Site Surveys?
Drone Site Surveys provides coordinated building data capture across the UK, supported by specialist drone, LiDAR, CAD and Revit capabilities.
Clients choose us for:
- UK-wide survey coverage
- CAA-authorised drone operations
- Drone, LiDAR and terrestrial data capture
- Internal, external and roof surveying
- AutoCAD, Revit and BIM capabilities
- Geo-referenced survey data
- Secure online project delivery
- Experience across commercial and complex properties
Bringing capture and digital processing together can reduce the need to appoint separate providers for different parts of the same building survey.
How Much Does a Measured Building Survey Cost?
Measured building survey costs depend on the property or land’s size, complexity, accessibility and the level of detail required. Pricing also varies according to the survey areas and deliverables, such as floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, point clouds, CAD drawings or Revit models.
We offer flexible options ranging from onsite data collection or point cloud delivery to a complete measured survey package containing all required drawings and digital files. Send us the property address or land coordinates, any existing plans if available and required outputs, and we will recommend the most suitable approach and provide a clear quotation.
Roof and Facade Data Collection - NO Scaffold
Levels of Detail (LOD) Available
All measured surveys should be accurate, however, there are different levels of accuracy and ways to display the findings of the survey.
Depending on the project a simple box on a 2D drawing representing a building outline may be required, or highly detailed as-built 2D and 3D AutoCAD, REVIT and BIM files for design, facilities management for planning requirements.
Drone Site Surveys can deliver LOD from the most basic LOD 100 which will create an overall representation of the building rather than a detailed inspection of the individual building elements, up to LOD 400 which gives an accurate representation of all visible features.
View the visual imagery below to gain a greater understanding which should allow you to make the most informed decision regarding your project.
Roof LOD 100
Roof LOD 200
Roof LOD 300
Roof LOD 400
Wall LOD 100
Wall LOD 200
Wall LOD 300
Wall LOD 400
Window LOD 100
Window LOD 200
Window LOD 300
Window LOD 400
2D Elevation and 3D Modelling Options
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is a measured building survey?
The required accuracy depends on the intended use of the survey. Survey control, ground control points and suitable capture methods can be used where greater positional accuracy is required.
What is the difference between laser scanning and a measured building survey?
Laser scanning is a method of collecting spatial data. A measured building survey is the wider service that uses captured information to produce drawings, models and other project deliverables.
Can drone and LiDAR data be combined?
Yes. Drone Site Surveys technicians can merge external drone data with internal LiDAR point clouds to create a coordinated digital record of internal spaces, façades, roofs and other external building features.
What information do you need to provide a quotation?
We usually only need the property address and a brief list of the required deliverables to provide a quotation.
What drawings can be produced from a measured building survey?
Depending on the project requirements, measured survey data can be used to produce floor plans, external elevations, cross-sections, roof plans, as-built drawings, registered point clouds, 3D models and other digital building information.
Can measured building surveys be used for planning and refurbishment projects?
Yes. Accurate existing-building information can support planning applications, refurbishment, retrofit, extensions, alterations and architectural design by giving project teams reliable dimensions, layouts and building information to work from.
Visual and Digital Measured Building Surveys
