Category: Land Surveying

The Difference Between a Measured Building Surveyor and a Building Surveyor

From developing large agricultural structures to designing complex residential development schemes, a building surveyor plays an essential role is providing professional advice when development and building property. Surveyors work on a range of residential, commercial and industrial projects, including restoration and maintenance projects. Within the surveyor field, there are a variety of specialisms related to specific aspects of surveying such as measured building surveys.

The Role of a Building Surveyor

Building surveyors provide professional advice on the design and development of a property, whether it is for a new build or the redevelopment of an existing property. Unlike a land surveyor, this type of surveyor focuses on the structure itself rather than the surrounding lands. They work with architects and other professionals to identify preventative measures to ensure buildings are safe. Surveyors also provide advice on how to make structures sustainable over time. In some cases since they are specialists in building regulations and determining the condition of buildings, they also provide evidence in court as an expert witness. These professionals are involved in construction design and building works, and have an active role in project management and monitoring.

Services Provided by Surveyors

The work of a surveyor is diverse and can involve a wide range of tasks. They are involved in various aspects of construction, including design, maintenance, repair, refurbishment, and restoration. The services provided by a surveyor may vary and may specialist in specific aspects of building surveying. A surveyor may specialise in providing advice on property legislation or may provide a full project management and monitoring service. They may also focus on undertaking building surveys and measures surveys. Alternatively, a surveyor might specialist in providing pre-acquisition surveys or defect investigations.

Typical work activities include provide advice on property schemes and projects, as well as identifying requirements for the project. They also prepare designs or drawings that include project specifications, costings and timelines. Surveyors also work to determine the condition of existing structures, including identifying potential safety issues and assessing defects to propose potential repairs to ensure the structural integrity of the property. They might also provide advice on the environmental impact of a project, the preservation or construction of historic properties, health and safety issues, project feasibility, and building construction and design regulations. Surveyors may also deal planning applications as well as insurance assessments and claims.

The Role of a Measured Building Surveyor

While a generalist surveyor may provide a range of services outlined above, certain professionals specialise in carrying out measured building surveys. A measured survey is a building survey that is used to produce detailed plans for a building. These types of surveys are generally undertaken before redevelopment or renovation projects. They may also be used for commercial purposes or be completed once the construction phase of a building project is finished.

To complete the survey, a measured building surveyor uses digital instruments to obtain precise measurements of a property. These measurements are then used to produce a plan by the surveyor or another professional. The building measurements are also used by architects and interior designers for further planning and development work on the property. Plans or drawings may also be used to obtain planning permits from local authorities.

What do you get in a measured building floor survey?

What is a Measured Building Survey, and why is it different from a normal survey?

When you think of a building survey, you usually think of the type of survey that a buyer may carry out before purchasing a property. This is a general look around a property, to identify any likely problems, such as damp, subsidence, defective wiring, and condition of the roof or other issues of that nature. Basic measurements may be taken, and a floor plan may be drawn up, but in reality this is not a particularly accurate plan, and it is not suitable for anything other than confirming rough dimensions.

On the other hand, a measured building survey is an extremely accurate way of measuring the entirety of a building. It is carried out in two stages; first an engineering surveyor will visit the property and carry out a scan with a laser scanner. The scanning technique creates a cloud of virtual reference points and measures the distances and elevations between them. This information is then transferred to the second stage where the engineering surveyor will use sophisticated software to process the raw data from the scan to produce a very accurate plan of the building. Unlike normal surveys, this can produce not only floor surveys, but also internal and external elevation plans, which identify the location of sockets and light switches, the size and height of doors and windows, including the dimensions of their reveals and soffits, and the precise angles of internal and external corners. It can also reveal architectural features such as cornices and corbels. In the correct hands this technique is 99.9995% accurate, and the plans can be used to produce 3D images as well as more traditional 2D plans.

Why do I need accurate plans?

If you are considering alterations or extensions to a property there are several reasons why you should have an accurate and detailed property plan. One of the most important reasons is that the details you provide to the planning authorities and any construction contractors forms part of a legal contract. If you provide inaccurate information at the planning consent stage, it can leave you open to enforcement action by the authorities. This is especially important if you are dealing with a listed building or a property within a conservation area, as the restrictions are even tighter, and accordingly the accuracy of your information needs to be greater. At the construction stage, inaccurate plans can leave you without recourse to the law if your contractor fails to comply, as he can cite poor quality information as a defence.

In these circumstances you cannot rely on architects’ drawings. There are a number of reasons for this, but in fact most properties in the UK do not actually have architects’ drawings. Despite notable exceptions, the construction of property is highly standardised, and most buildings are built to “pattern book” designs, where one plan encompasses a number of properties. Even if architects’ drawings are available they rarely accurately reflect the property as it stands. The cumulative effect of tolerances in construction materials and techniques mean that even in a new property, the dimensions of the finished product can vary considerably from the original design. If you add to this the effect of thermal movement and settlement over a number of years you soon realise that the original plans are only a rough guide to the current building as it stands.

These are the main reasons a simple floor survey is no longer sufficient. If you are planning alterations or extensions it is best to have a measured building survey.

What is a laser distance meter?

A laser distance meter is a tool that uses laser technology to measure the distance between two points. It is also known as a laser tape measure or laser measuring device. Laser distance meters are used in a variety of industries, such as construction, surveying, and forestry. Laser distance meters work by shining a laser beam from the device to the surface of the object you want to measure. The beam then reflects back to the device, and the distance is calculated based on the time it takes for the beam to travel there and back. Laser distance meters are used for a variety of purposes, such as measuring the height of a building or the width of a room. They can also be used to calculate distances in hard-to-reach places, such as when measuring the depth of a river.

What is a laser distance meter?

A laser distance meter is an instrument that uses a laser beam to measure distance. The laser beam is emitted from the device and reflects off of the object being measured. The reflected light is then received by a sensor in the device, which calculates the distance based on the time it took for the light to travel.

Laser distance meters are used for a variety of applications, such as measuring the length of a room, the height of a building, or the distance between two points. They are also commonly used in construction and surveying.

There are two main types of laser distance meters: those that emit a visible light beam, and those that emit an invisible infrared light beam. Both types function in similar ways, but visible light models are typically more accurate than infrared models.

Leica Disto meter

How do laser distance meters work?

Laser distance meters (also known as laser tape measures) are tools used to measure the distance between two points. The most common way to use a laser distance meter is to point it at an object, press the button, and then read the measurement on the display.

How do laser distance meters work?

Laser distance meters work by emitting a laser beam from the device. The beam then reflects off of the surface of the object you are measuring and back into the device. The device then calculates the distance based on the time it took for the beam to make the round trip.

Applications of laser distance meters

Laser distance meters can be used for a variety of applications, such as measuring the distance between two points, calculating the area of a space, and determining the volume of an object. Additionally, laser distance meters can be used to create topographic maps and 3D models of objects or landscapes.

Pros and cons of laser distance meters

Laser distance meters are a quick and easy way to measure distance, but they have their pros and cons. Here are some things to consider before you purchase a laser distance meter:

PROS:

- Quick and easy to use
- Provides accurate measurements
- Can be used in a variety of situations
- Compact and portable

CONS:

- Can be expensive
- Requires batteries or an external power source

How to choose a laser distance meter

When it comes to choosing a laser distance meter, there are a few things you need to take into account. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right one for you:

- Determine what range you need. Laser distance meters come in a variety of ranges, so you'll want to make sure you choose one that can measure the distances you need it to.

- Consider accuracy. Not all laser distance meters are created equal in terms of accuracy. Some are more accurate than others, so if precision is important to you, make sure to look at the specs before making your purchase.

- Decide whether you need additional features. Some laser distance meters come with additional features like angle measurement and Pythagorean theorem calculation. If you think you might need these features, make sure to look for a model that offers them.

- Compare prices. Laser distance meters can vary widely in price, so it's important to compare options before making your final decision.

Conclusion

A laser distance meter is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, from measuring the distance to an object to calculating the area of a room. Whether you're a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, a laser distance meter can be a useful addition to your toolkit. We hope this article has helped you understand what a laser distance meter is and how it can be used.

What is a Measured Survey?

A Measured Survey is a drawing showing the dimensions, locations and permanent features of your property, which can be a building or land.

The dimensions are usually drawn up to a scale of 1:100 for buildings, 1:50 for listed buildings and 1:250 for the land.

The location is determined by GPS (GNSS) or can be created locally specifically for your property. The positions are relative to their reference points, i.e. GPS or the local establish control points.

Permanent features can include:

  • walls
  • windows
  • doors
  • beams
  • columns
  • built in cabinets/ wardrobe
  • ponds
  • trees
  • pavement
  • street furniture
Exit mobile version