We are experts in land management and development.
Surveying
Land surveying is a scientific method used to determine a property’s boundaries and the dimensions between them. Land surveyors use mathematics, law, engineering and physics, to establish land boundaries.
Our Surveying Team collects and interprets data which informs the way land development projects are planned. We use sophisticated computer systems and industry technologies to deliver fast and accurate outcomes.
Land Surveying Services include:
- Topographical surveys
- Drone imagery and orthomoasic surveys
- Building location certificate (BLC)
- Building setout
- Zip level and verticality surveys
- As built surveys
- Urban and rural subdivision
- Easements surveys
- Strata title subdivision
- Deformation surveys
- Rentable area surveys (BOMA)
- Civil construction setout
- Unit title subdivision
- 3D Laser Scanning
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Topographical Survey (Topo)
A topo gathers natural and manmade topographic features and spatial information about a site and is used by architects, landscape architects, builders, engineers, councils and homeowners, to design the building, drive, roading, services and new subdivision developments correctly.
The Topographical Survey will show boundary dimensions and will alert you to any possible boundary definition issues. Subject easements will be shown and reference to Land Covenants and Consent notices obtained from the Record of Title will be labelled.
Road scene information such as centre line levels, kerb levels and footpath levels will be shown. External boundary levels for recession plane purposes and general site levels will also be shown.
Significant features such as buildings, trees, driveways, boundary fence descriptions and more, will also be shown. Heights will be described in terms of the latest local authority data. The information is provided in PDF and DXF format. The information can be provided in many digital formats (eg: PDF and DXF) to suit the clients requirements, and/or displayed on a topographical survey plan, at a scale which is suitable to the end user.
The information can be provided in many digital formats to suit the clients requirements, and/or displayed on a topographical survey plan, at a scale which is suitable to the end user.
Please Note:
This price is for a standard Topographical Survey of a clear residential property (as detailed above) up to 1,000m² in size within Christchurch City, Selwyn District or Waimakariri District.
If any additional work is required onsite that will incur possible additional costs, these will be discussed with you to decide on how you wish to proceed. Any additional works agreed to will be invoiced following the conclusion of work.
Depending on our current workloads and commitments, please allow up to 10 working days for the field work to be completed and a further 15 working days for the information to be calculated and drafted.
If your project falls outside of these guidelines please contact us at hello@do.nz and will be happy to provide a free site specific, no obligation, estimate of costs.
Building Set-Out
A building set-out survey is used by builders, architects and homeowners and involves transferring a building design from plans onto the land, to make sure the building is sited in the correct position, so the builders can follow it during construction.
A building set out requires the establishment of key points on site, these are based on the approved building plans provided by the client and the definition of the legal boundaries. If definition issues exist due to age of previous surveys and earthquake movement, then we will let you know before we commence work.
Stamped approved building plans are required to show offsets from boundaries to the building and also height datum for the finished floor height to be set-out. Our surveyors will position two markers along the proposed building wall closest to the boundary, at an offset agreed with you and your builder. We will confirm height datum by placing a nail in a fence post or similar, at the finished floor height shown on the stamped approved plans. We provide the information on the site plan, of the approved stamped plans, with photos.
Please Note:
This price is for a standard residential building set-out (as detailed above) within Christchurch City, Selwyn District or Waimakariri District.
If any additional work is required onsite that will incur possible additional costs, these will be discussed with you to decide on how you wish to proceed. Any additional works agreed to will be invoiced following the conclusion of work.
Dependant on our current workload and commitments, please allow up to 10 working days for the field work to be completed and a further 2 working days for the information to be checked and issued.
If your project falls outside of these guidelines please contact us at hello@do.nz and we are happy to provide a free site specific, no obligation, estimate of costs.
Building Location Certificate
A survey is undertaken to confirm the building location and finished floor level (FFL), once onsite boxing is in place, prior to the concrete pour. A certificate is then given to you confirming the building location and FFL.
A building location certificate is used by councils, architects and homeowners to confirm the location of the building, prior to construction.
Councils often require the location and or finished floor level (FFL) of a new structure to be determined onsite in relationship to the legal boundaries, to confirm that it is in accordance with the council approved building plans. The certificate is signed off by a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor.
Please Note:
This price is for a standard Building Location Certificate for a residential property within Christchurch City, Selwyn District or Waimakariri District.
Pricing assumes we have completed the topographical survey or the building set-out for the particular project. If not, there may be a need for additional work and costs. These will be discussed with you to decide on how you wish to proceed. Any additional work agreed to will be invoiced following conclusion of works.
We work directly with your builder should you wish – usually 2 – 3 working days’ notice is needed to ensure we can be on site at the appropriate time.
If your project falls outside of these guidelines please contact us at hello@do.nz and are happy to provide a free, no obligation, estimate of costs.
Surveying FAQ’s
Why you need a Land surveyor
What we need from you to carry out the survey
We require the street address and/or legal description of the land, property owner and a scope of work describing what you would like to achieve.
I’m missing my boundary peg, what do I need to get this sorted?
Over time many boundary pegs get destroyed for one reason or another, and sometimes they simply rot away as is the case in many older subdivisions. It is also possible that the boundaries may not have been pegged previously. In order to locate a boundary point, a surveyor under the direction of a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor has the necessary skill and expertise to place or locate the boundary peg. If you require assistance to locate a boundary peg, please contact one of our survey team to discuss your requirements further.
I am wanting to put a fence up but can’t find the boundary pegs, what should I do?
Over time many boundary pegs get destroyed or inadvertently buried and sometimes they simply rot away, as is the case in many older subdivisions. It is also possible that the boundaries may not have been pegged in the first place.
In order to locate a boundary point, a surveyor, under the direction of a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor, has the necessary skill and expertise to place or locate the boundary peg. If you need help locating a boundary peg, please contact one of our survey team.
I’m thinking about subdividing, what do I need to do to get this process underway?
The first step is to talk to our Survey or Resource Management team. In most cases we can undertake a simple desktop review of your site and compare it to the relevant council and district plans to see if a subdivision of your property is possible. Councils have many rules relating to subdivisions and it can quite daunting, we can help you navigate through this. Once we have confirmed that your property can be subdivided, we will then explain to you what else is needed to progress further.
What is a Topographical Survey?
A survey locating natural and man-made topographic features , such as buildings, improvements, fences, elevations, trees, streams, road scene (detailing the components within a specific street’s design), essential services, contours of the land and more.
What is a Building Set-Out Survey?
A Building Set-out survey involves transferring a building design onto the land itself, so the builders can follow it during construction. During this process, key points are found and markers are used to guide and ensure accuracy in the building process.
What is a Building Location Certificate (BLC)?
A Building Location Certificate or BLC, is a survey document prepared by a Land Surveyor, which shows the exact location and level of the relevant buildings and other structures on a particular property, relative to the property boundaries.