The Hidden Importance of Land Surveying in Perth
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The Hidden Importance of Land Surveys
When you look at a property, what do you see? Is it the subtle change in level to the land? Do you notice that the front yard and back yard are 1m different in height? Does it matter?
When it comes to construction jobs, no matter if you are a homeowner doing a deck out from your living room, or a property developer managing a multi-million dollar project, nothing avoids issues and provides confidence in designs like having an accurate property survey.
What Does A Surveyor Do?
Surveyors are professionals in the science of measuring land. Not as simple as pulling out a tape measure, the equipment surveyors use can calculate to millimeters the;
- boundaries of your property
- changes to level
- identify areas needing
- retaining
- drilling or
- filling
- identify encroachment of adjacent properties
There are a range of survey types that are used for land in different circumstances.
What kind of survey do you need for your property or project?
Property surveys are useful in confirming with absolute certainty the details of the land you are dealing with, particularly when looking to buy a property.
1. Start by looking at Certificates of Title
You can get a Certificate of Title from Landgate. a property survey will check for legally binding easements, encumbrances or rights of way that may impact the property.
2. Site Visit with Surveyor
Next, a site visit is scheduled where the surveyor will measure exactly the dimensions of the property, identify any discrepancies or mis-aligned fences, and detail heights of land and structures.
3. Graphical Survey
Finally, your survey will be graphically represented and ready for lodgement.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a landowner, a local council or an engineer, builder or architect – you can rely on us to get the job done efficiently.
Cadastral Land Surveys
A cadastral land survey is important in identifying legally the extents of any given piece of land, or for clarifying the position of fences in line with the Perth cadastral legal boundaries.
Over time, particularly in older parts of Perth, fences can move after being knocked down by storms or they might be removed as asbestos.
Horizons Surveys can help to establish exactly where boundaries begin and end, ensuring you know what your land looks like on the ground.
Feature Surveys
Feature surveys are incredibly important as the first investment before any project begins. Surveyors will identify the improvements on the land (structures, building heights, retaining walls and the like), easements and utilities, and confirm any land height changes or slopes. Builders, designers and engineers across Perth want feature surveys because they create certainty around designs, minimise delays and reduce construction expenses.
The Hidden Importance of Surveyors
It cannot be understated how significant a survey can be, particularly in identifying problems long before they become incredibly expensive. Often, Councils will encourage or require surveys to be submitted alongside development applications to ensure compliance with rules and planning frameworks.
And for building permits a survey is essential to prove your building will be structurally safe.
Residential Surveys
When you are looking to purchase a property, a residential survey can save you thousands of dollars and avoid headaches of buying compromised land. Banks often require surveys to be submitted to ensure the land they finance is worth as much as they are paying, or to understand the costs of any encumbrances or obligations on the title before you sign.
Get in Touch Today
No matter the scale of your project, for anyone looking to potentially invest in buying or improving land, nothing is more invaluable than the certainty that comes from engaging a fully licensed Perth surveyor. If you want the benefit that local experience and true professionalism provides, then call Horizons surveys today for your reliable survey solution.
From feature surveys to As-constructed and Audit surveys, our team offers a range of survey services for all kinds of projects.
Call us now on (08) 9387 8226 or email admin@horizonsurveys.com.au
Feature Surveys
Architects and Design Engineers require feature surveys prior to the initial planning and design phase of a project.
Detailed information about; roads, paths, buildings, retaining walls and vegetation will appear in a plan or digital report. The plans show Contours and levels to AHD (Australian Height Datum). Cadastral info (boundary) information is usually included as an overlay.
Re-pegs / Re-establishment Surveys
Original property boundaries may need to be re-established and marked by pegs. Such surveys can be time-consuming because the original boundaries and associated documentation could be 100 years old. A licensed surveyor needs to state that the work has been undertaken in accordance with current Survey Regulations.
Identification Surveys
Identification Surveys (always carried out by Licensed Land Surveyors) determine all improvements (buildings, awnings, garages and brick walls) in relation to the property boundary. Easements – such as; access, sewer, height restrictions – appear as comments in a report stating the legal description of the land and any encroachments by or upon the Land.
Lease Area Surveys
Commercial areas are often tenanted to third parties, and surveys may be required to calculate the area in question. A lease area survey can help determine the area under lease, using modern equipment and following the lease area guidelines from The Property Council of Australia. Depending on the tenancy, the Survey may be required to measure GLA (Gross Lettable Area) or NLA (Nett Lettable Area).
As-Constructed & Audit Surveys
As-constructed surveys and audit surveys are critical elements in deciding if a structure has been built to design specifications. The surveyor will draw up plans that reveal the dimensions and levels of a particular structure, including; roads, bridges, dams, excavation areas, or landfills. Audit Surveys are performed during the construction stage in order to verify positions for holding-down bolts, plinths, roads and structures.
Mining Tenement Surveys
A mining tenement survey is required to establish the extent of the actual mining lease area for mining tenements. The pegging on the ground needs to be found and any priorities of prior marking out need to be determined.
The Survey of a Mining tenement occurs after instructions issued by the Department of Mines and Petroleum are handed to Licensed surveyors who can then perform these duties noting the hierarchy of tenements.
Cadastral Surveys
Cadastral land surveying is a branch of land surveying that focuses on establishing your property boundaries. When Horizon Surveys conducts cadastral surveying on your land, we determine the actual Boundaries and place Boundary marks on the corners of your land.
There are several circumstances in which cadastral land surveying becomes a necessity. Many cadastral land surveys happen when boundaries need to be marked to determine new fencing lines or when buildings need to be set out at specific distances from the boundary. (ie a Parapet wall)
Most types of survey reports, any time.
Surveying is a suite of many facets including Contour and Feature Surveys, Subdivision of Land (Green title or Strata), Construction set-out as AsConstructed Surveys, Lease Area surveys, remarking of original boundaries and the Calculation of Volumes.
