Land Surveyors

If you are considering subdividing a piece of land in Australia it is essential to have a surveyor on board at the very beginning, as they will need to create the survey plan that you will submit to your local council regarding the proposed parcels of land.

A topographic survey measures the land's features in three dimensions, allowing for the creation of a contour model. Engineers utilise this information to determine earthwork volumes, whether there are flood hazards, and to suggest infrastructure solutions, while architects use it to make sure plans are in accordance with local codes.

Getting a boundary survey done is a way of defining the legal and formal limits of a property. Landowners usually organise boundary surveys before they sell, subdivide, alter, or build on the land.

A site planning survey is a combination of two of the services described above: a boundary survey and a topographic survey. The subsequent site plans that are produced are essential for developing the land.

Hiring an experienced and skilled land surveyor is essential. Before any work can be done, the site needs to be surveyed and mapped by a professional. Skilled land surveyors are also comfortable liaising with other construction crew and consultants to get the best possible outcome for your project. Good knowledge of a site is key to creating suitable buildings and infrastructure down the line, which can save you time and money in both the short and long term.

Choosing the best land surveyor is always determined by the scale and nature of your land and the scope of your project. Land surveyors are required for a vast range of construction projects and can come with different backgrounds and areas of expertise.  There are subcategories such as construction surveyor, rural land surveyor, residential land surveyor, and commercial land surveyor, which is why we recommend seeking out land surveyors who have a track record of undertaking survey projects that are similar to your own.

Important questions to ask your prospective land surveyor include:

• How long have you been working in this field in Australia?
• Is your experience mostly with residential or rural surveying?
• Is a topographical survey necessary for my proposed project or will a boundary survey suffice?
• Is there a way to determine if my property has been previously surveyed?
• How will you mark corners and property boundaries?

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Yes. In Australia it is necessary to be licensed if you want to legally conduct property and land boundary surveys.

Always be clear with your surveyor about what you require from their survey report. However, in general, a land survey should take into account all topographical features on a property, as well as the property’s boundaries.

Usually, a surveyor visits your parcel of land and conducts fieldwork, which involves staking out and measuring your property’s physical boundaries and corners using their specialist equipment. In addition, most surveyors in Australia will look through records like title reports, easements, maps and deeds, that may help with formally defining your land’s borders.