What Is a Topographical Survey?
A topographical survey (topo survey or land survey) is a detailed map of the natural and man-made features of a site — ground levels, contours, buildings, boundaries, trees, drainage, and utilities. All data is georeferenced to Ordnance Survey National Grid coordinates.
What It Includes
| Feature Type | What's Measured | | --- | --- | | Built features | Building footprints, heights (eaves/ridge), walls, fences, boundaries, roads, driveways | | Natural features | Trees (with heights and canopy spreads), water bodies, surface materials | | Ground data | Contours, spot levels, surface changes, ground levels | | Utilities | Drainage covers, manholes, visible street furniture, overhead cables |
Costs in London (2025)
| Site Size | Typical Use | Price (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | --- | | Up to 0.25 acre | Small residential plot | £350–£600 | | 0.25–1 acre | Medium site, small development | £600–£1,200 | | 1–5 acres | Large/complex site | £1,200–£2,500+ | | Single dwelling redevelopment | Typical house project | £800–£1,800 | | Small-medium London plot | General London pricing | From £895 |
VAT (20%) is usually additional. Prices vary by site size, complexity, and detail required.
Standard Deliverables
- 2D AutoCAD drawings (DWG + PDF)
- 3D models or point clouds (optional)
- BIM-ready Revit (RVT) files (optional)
- Contours and spot levels
- Methodology statement and QA notes
- Site photos and legends
All surveys are RICS-compliant (RICS 3rd Edition: Measured Surveys of Land, Buildings and Utilities).
All 32 London Boroughs Coverage
We provide topographical surveys throughout all 32 London boroughs plus the City of London and Home Counties:
Turnaround Time
| Phase | Typical Time | | --- | --- | | Booking lead-in | 1–2 weeks | | Site visit | 1 day (small-medium site) | | Drawing production | 1–2 working days | | Total | 2–3 weeks | | Fast turnaround | 3–5 working days (available on request) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What file formats will I receive?
AutoCAD DWG and PDF as standard. Optional: Revit RVT, point cloud (LAS/E57), 3D models. Confirm formats when requesting a quote.
Q: What coordinate system is used?
Surveys are georeferenced to OSGB36 (Ordnance Survey National Grid) with OD (Ordnance Datum Newlyn) heights. Confirm your project requirements.
Q: Do I need a topo survey for planning permission?
Yes — most planning applications require a topographical survey showing ground levels, boundaries, trees, and drainage. Check with your local planning authority.
Q: How do I prepare for a topo survey?
Ensure site access is clear, provide drawings if available, and confirm OS grid benchmark data if you have it. Remove vegetation after the survey, not before.