Topographical Survey Ealing: What You Need
A topographical (topo) survey in Ealing (W5 and W13) maps natural and man-made features with precise elevations — the standard pre-design survey for planning, design, and construction projects in West London.
What Is Included in a Topographical Survey
| Feature Type | What's Captured | | --- | --- | | Buildings | Footprints, heights, eaves, ground and floor levels | | Boundaries | Fences, walls, property lines | | Hard surfaces | Roads, paths, driveways, kerb lines | | Vegetation | Tree positions (trunk and canopy), hedgerows, significant plants | | Levels | Spot heights, contour lines (typically 0.5m or 1m intervals) | | Utilities | Drainage covers, manholes, gullies, visible above-ground services | | Street furniture | Lamp posts, signposts, bins, railings |
Surveys use GNSS or GPS, robotic total stations, and or drone LiDAR for accuracy of ±10–15mm (terrestrial) or ±30–50mm (drone).
2025 Costs in Ealing (W5 and W13)
| Site Size | Cost (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Small residential plot (up to 0.25 acre) | £350–£600 | | Medium site (0.25–1 acre) | £600–£1,200 | | Large or complex site (1–5 acres) | £1,200–£2,500+ | | Day rate guideline | ~£500 + VAT per day on site |
Factors affecting cost: Steep slopes, dense vegetation, or water features increase time. Required accuracy and tolerance standards. Turnaround time (standard: 5–10 working days). Access constraints on live construction sites.
Standard Deliverables
| Deliverable | Format | | --- | --- | | Contour plans | DWG, DXF, PDF | | Spot height grids | DWG with feature codes | | 2D and 3D site model | DWG, Revit RVT, IFC | | Point cloud (if scanned) | LAS, E57 | | Accuracy statement and control report | PDF | | Coordinate system reference | OSGB36 (Ordnance Survey Grid) by default |
All outputs are RICS-specification compliant and suitable for planning applications, architectural design, drainage design, earthworks calculations, and BIM projects.
Timeline
| Stage | Duration | | --- | --- | | Fieldwork | Half-day to several days (depends on site size and complexity) | | Processing and QA | 5–10 working days standard; rush available | | Total | 1–2 weeks from instruction |
When You Need a Topographical Survey in Ealing
| Project | Topo Survey Required? | | --- | --- | | Planning permission | Yes — required by Ealing Council for most developments | | New development | Yes — site layout and drainage design | | House extension | Required for sloping sites or complex boundaries | | Drainage and SuDS design | Yes — levels and drainage features | | BS5837 tree surveys | Yes — tree positions and RPAs for planning | | BIM and digital twins | Yes — accurate site model for design coordination |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What accuracy is achieved on a topographical survey in Ealing?
±10–15mm for terrestrial surveys; ±30–50mm for drone surveys. Surveys are tied to OS National Grid and datum.
Q: What scale are drawings produced at?
1:200 or 1:500 for planning submissions. Confirm with your architect or Ealing Council planning department.
Q: Do I need a topographical or measured building survey?
A topographical survey covers external land and ground levels. A measured building survey covers internal building dimensions. You may need both for an extension project.
Q: Can the survey include drone or laser scanning data?
Yes — drone LiDAR and terrestrial laser scanning are available as add-ons for complex sites or high-density data.
Q: Is the survey georeferenced?
Yes — all surveys are tied to Ordnance Survey National Grid (OSGB36) and Ordnance Datum Newlyn (ODN).