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Our team of professional surveyors have 154 years combined experience and we are RICS accredited. We offer a wide range of building and land surveys starting with topographic and GIS mapping as well aerial drone surveys.

We use the latest technology and methodology for 3D laser scanning and point cloud surveys. We are also experienced in working with clients on handling delivery of very large data files that can be produced with digital surveys, to ensure you get the data you need in a format you can use.

We will acknowledge your enquiry within an hour and will then seek to speak to you to discuss your requirements. At this point we will ask you to share any drawings or additional information with us.

Depending on the complexity of your project, we may need to visit the site before we prepare a quotation, if not we will have this to you within 48 hours. Upon instruction we aim to have a surveyor on site within 5 working days.

For every day we have a surveyor on site, we expect 2-4 days will be required to register and model your data. We will confirm this on the quotation. Your survey data will be delivered direct to your desktop by file transfer or via the webshare portal.

A 2D measured building survey starts from £1200, increasing to several thousand pounds.

The price depends on the time that is required to collect the site data and convert it into 2D CAD drawings or 3D Revit models. The building type, complexity, condition and access can also affect the price.

It is therefore important that a detailed schedule of the project’s information requirements is prepared so that surveyors can ensure that they capture the correct level of data for inclusion in the final 2D or 3D deliverable. If the surveyor fully understands your requirements, they will be able to determine the most effective and time-efficient methodology to collect your data.

When procuring a survey it is generally beneficial to place a value on the quality, reliability and long-term use of the data you are purchasing rather than just on the price you will pay.

The team requires a range of information about the building and project first to help us understand your survey need. This avoids time and money being spent collecting unnecessary data and preparing information that is not then used. The details we require include:

• Location, details and an indication of size of the subject to be surveyed
• Type and purpose for which the survey is required e.g. a land survey for a new building development project
• Scope of survey required e.g. which areas are to be surveyed externally and internally
• Specification of detail to be captured e.g. an outline of the structure or inclusion of fittings as well
• When the survey is required by
• Restrictions upon the survey e.g. timings for access or physical obstructions

With an understanding of the above, our Surveyor can ensure the correct scope, specification and delivery form of the project. For larger projects, we will make a site visit to fully inform the survey fee proposal.

CADS operates the latest cutting-edge survey technology appropriate to the survey type being undertaken. Equipment used can range from traditional steel tapes and hand-held laser measures for simple 2D capture to the use of highly accurate laser scanners and Theodolite total stations for accurate and more complex surveys.

Measured building surveys are usually carried out using terrestrial laser scanners but may be supplemented with additional information obtained using traditional methods such as GPS, Total Station, Disto and photogrammetry.

Topographic surveys are usually undertaken using UAVs (drones) with supplementary information obtained using traditional methods such as GPS and Total Station

Survey information is delivered electronically in digital file form, whether as 2D CAD drawings or complex 3D models.

Survey files can range from a few megabytes capable of being emailed, to larger and more complex surveys generating files of many Gigabytes which require other forms of delivery.

There are also different software programmes used across the property and construction world, it is therefore important to discuss with the surveyor both the type of file required and the most appropriate form of delivery when making the initial enquiry.

Security of the information in delivery and storage is also an important consideration for many clients and specific requirements can be agreed at the outset. Paper-based printed formats can also be provided for traditional 2D drawings.

Metadata are the properties that are used to describe and classify an object within a BIM model such as the manufacturer, performance, reference number, material, price, etc. BIM models can be rich sources of information with individual objects containing data about its geometry, descriptions, and other information.

How the Metadata are defined is important if the BIM model is going to be used to prepare schedules and reports for the construction process or post-construction use.

Our BIM survey model will only include this level of data if it is provided by a client and is normally only relevant on a full asset survey model at LoD 5.