What Is Construction Setting Out?
Construction setting out (also called setting-out engineering) is the process of transferring design drawings onto the physical construction site — marking the exact positions, levels, and dimensions where structures will be built. A setting-out engineer uses GPS, robotic total stations, theodolites, and levels to translate architectural and structural plans into precise physical markers on site.
| Aspect | Details | | --- | --- | | Purpose | Translates architectural and structural plans into physical ground markers to guide construction | | What's marked | Building corners, gridlines, foundation/pile locations, boundaries, drainage, roads, floor levels, structural elements | | Equipment | Robotic total stations (Leica), GPS/GNSS receivers, theodolites, levels | | Accuracy | Typically ±5mm tolerance | | Who does it | Setting-out engineer or surveyor (often ICE or RICS qualified) |
Typical Costs in London (2025)
| Service Type | Rate (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Day rate (surveyor + assistant) | £445–£550 | | Day rate (engineer alone, robotic) | £350–£450 | | Hourly rate | £45–£65/hour | | Half-day survey | ~£400 | | Contract position | £280–£400/day (PAYE/CIS) |
Discounts available for long-term attendance. Factors affecting price: location within London, team size, site complexity, frequency of visits.
Key Deliverables
| Deliverable | Description | | --- | --- | | As-set-out drawings | CAD (DWG) records showing actual points marked on site | | Gridlines and reference points | Spray-painted lines, galvanized steel nails (semi-permanent markers) | | Level and height markers | Finished floor levels, Baldwin rails, cut/fill indicators | | Setting-out report | Documentation of control points, measurements, plan used, dates | | As-built and record drawings | Final drawings showing what was actually built (required under CDM 2015) | | Site control network | Established survey control points for ongoing work |
London Coverage
We provide construction setting out throughout all 32 London boroughs including:
- Inner London: Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, Islington, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Greenwich, Newham
- Outer London: Barnet, Harrow, Hillingdon, Ealing, Brent, Croydon, Bromley, Enfield, Merton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Sutton, and more
- Home Counties: Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Buckinghamshire (travel charges may apply)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When do I need a setting-out engineer?
You need a setting-out engineer at the start of any construction project to mark the exact positions of foundations, walls, and structural elements from drawings. Setting out is typically required before excavations, concrete pours, and frame erection.
Q: What is the difference between setting out and a measured survey?
A measured survey captures existing conditions on site. Setting out does the opposite — it transfers design information from drawings onto the physical site, marking where things should be built.
Q: What drawings do I need to provide?
Provide the structural and architectural drawings (CAD or PDF), grid coordinates, benchmark data, and any site-specific control requirements. The more detail you provide upfront, the more accurate the setting out will be.