Measured building survey (3D scan or laser scan)
A measured survey of the property using a Matterport 3D scanner or laser scanner, giving accurate existing floor plans and elevations to design from.
About this service
A measured building survey gives you accurate drawings of your property as it stands today. We scan the building with a Matterport 3D camera or a laser scanner, then produce existing floor plans and elevations in PDF and CAD. These become the base that architects, engineers and builders design from, so getting them right saves time and mistakes at every later stage.
Many London homes have no reliable drawings at all. Estate agent floor plans are not measured to design standards, and old planning drawings rarely reflect later changes. Walls in older terraces are seldom perfectly square, floors fall towards the rear, and rooms that look identical often differ by a surprising amount. A scan captures these realities, which matters when a steel beam or a loft stair has to fit exactly.
Matterport suits most houses and flats, producing a walk-through 3D model alongside the drawings that you can share with your design team. A laser scanner is better where higher accuracy is needed, for example on complex elevations or where tight tolerances drive the design. We recommend the right method for your project. Surveys start from £450 + VAT, confirmed in writing first.
When you need it
- You are planning an extension, loft or alteration and have no accurate drawings
- Your architect or engineer needs existing plans and elevations
- You want a 3D record of the building before works start
What's included
- Site visit and scan of the property
- Existing floor plans and elevations
- Photographic schedule
- 3D model link where a Matterport scan is used
How it works
- Agree what you needWe confirm which floors, elevations and areas to capture, whether Matterport or laser scanning suits the building best, and the fixed fee and turnaround in writing.
- Scan the propertyOur surveyor visits and scans each room, the loft where accessible and the external elevations, taking photographs as we go. Most houses are captured in a single visit.
- Process the dataThe scan data is processed and checked, then traced into clean existing floor plans and elevations at a suitable scale, with key dimensions and levels shown.
- Deliver drawings and scanYou receive PDF and CAD drawings, a photographic schedule and, for Matterport surveys, a link to the 3D model, ready to send to your architect or engineer.
What you receive
Matterport or laser scan: which survey suits your project?
For a typical rear extension, loft conversion or internal reconfiguration, a Matterport survey usually gives all the accuracy the design needs, plus a shareable 3D model that helps people who cannot visit the property. Laser scanning is worth the extra time on buildings with complex facades, significant out-of-plumb walls or where a design must fit very precisely, such as an additional storey on an existing roof. Neither replaces a topographical survey of the wider site, which is a separate service if you need garden levels, trees or boundaries.
Commissioning the survey before design starts is the single best way to avoid redesign later. Our engineers use the drawings to plan beams, bearings and foundations, for example on a rear extension structural package. The survey records geometry only, so if hidden structure matters, pair it with targeted opening up. Our rear extension guide explains what else your engineer will need.
Not included
- Proposed design drawings
- Topographical survey of the wider site
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is a Matterport survey compared with a laser scan?
Matterport is accurate enough for most residential design work, including extensions and loft conversions, and provides a useful 3D walk-through. A laser scanner captures geometry more precisely and is better for complex facades, tight tolerances or detailed elevation work. We recommend the method based on what your project actually needs, not a one-size approach.
Do I need a measured survey for planning permission?
Planning applications need existing and proposed drawings that accurately show the building. Councils do not usually specify how they are produced, but inaccurate existing drawings lead to proposals that do not fit, queries from planners and redesign. A measured survey gives your architect a reliable starting point and is often the first step of any project.
How long does a measured building survey take?
The site visit for a typical London house usually takes a few hours, depending on size and access. Processing and drawing follow, and our typical turnaround is 10 working days, confirmed in writing with the fee. Larger buildings or laser scans of complex elevations can take longer, and we tell you before booking.
What file formats will I receive?
You receive existing drawings in PDF for viewing and printing, and in CAD format for your architect or engineer to design on. Matterport surveys also include a link to the 3D model, and we provide a photographic schedule of the property. Scan data can be shared with your design team on request.