Building height surveys for the Building Safety Act 2022
Find out whether your building is above 11 metres or 18 metres under the Building Safety Act 2022. We measure it, report the height and confirm the classification, usually within a week of your enquiry.
- Reports from £200 + VAT
- Report within 3 working days of the visit
- Measured to Section 117 of the Act
TSA member
Full member of The Survey Association, the UK trade body for survey companies.
Quotes in 24 hours
Fixed price, confirmed timescales, no surprises on the invoice.
Since 2013
Over 2,000 surveys, from home extensions to nuclear power stations.
Fully insured
£1m professional indemnity and £5m public liability cover.
Why building height matters
The Building Safety Act 2022 was introduced after Grenfell to set clear safety responsibilities for residential buildings above certain heights. A building’s measured height decides which category it falls into, who is responsible for safety and remediation, and how much of the cost can be passed to leaseholders.
When you need a survey
Most building height surveys are commissioned for one of three reasons:
- to confirm whether a building is above the 11 metre threshold for a relevant building
- to confirm whether it is a higher-risk building, above 18 metres or seven storeys with two or more residential units, which brings in the duty-holder regime
- to support insurance, lender or freeholder decisions where height affects rebuild costs, premiums or remediation responsibilities
If a building is within a metre or so of either threshold, a measured survey is the only reliable way to confirm its classification.
How we measure
We use laser measuring equipment to record the lowest external ground level adjacent to the building and the finished floor level of the highest occupied storey, normally working up an internal stairwell. The difference between the two is the height as defined in Section 117 of the Act. Our step-by-step guide shows exactly how it is done.
How it works
Quote within one working day
Send the address and we reply with a fixed price.
Site visit, an hour or two
We measure from the lowest external ground level to the finished floor of the top occupied storey, usually working up an internal stairwell.
Report within 3 working days
You receive a report stating the building's height as defined in the Act, ready to send to your managing agent, insurer or lender.
What it costs
Most building height reports cost between £200 and £500 + VAT, depending on the building and its location.
| Typical job | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Typical building height report | £200 to £500 |
Prices exclude VAT.
Who we work with
Freeholders and managing agents
Confirm which duties apply to your building before you act on them.
Leaseholders and residents' associations
Independent evidence of height where remediation responsibilities depend on it.
Insurers and lenders
A measured figure where the building's height affects premiums, rebuild costs or lending.
Recent projects
See all projectsWhat clients say
Read our reviews on Google★★★★★
We have used THS Concepts for multiple surveys from topographic to drone photogrametry, they are professional and prompt and deliver exactly what is requested. Highly recommended.
★★★★★
I contacted Tom to carry out a Topographic survey, and cannot recommend them enough. Nothing was to much, and I was kept up to date with everything as it happened! Great company to deal with and reasonably priced.
★★★★★
Superb service, quick turnaround and extremely helpful! I wouldn't hesitate to use THS Concepts again if I need to in the future!
Building height surveys: common questions
Do I need a building height survey?
If your building is anywhere near the 11m or 18m thresholds, yes. Counting storeys or scaling from drawings is not enough. The Act measures from the lowest external ground level next to the building to the finished floor of the highest occupied storey.
What are the thresholds?
Relevant buildings are 11 metres or more, or at least five storeys, with at least two dwellings. Higher-risk buildings are 18 metres or more, or at least seven storeys, with at least two residential units. Different duties apply to each.
How is the survey carried out?
Our standard method uses a laser distance meter to record the lowest external ground level and the finished floor level of the top occupied storey, working up an internal stairwell. Our measurement guide explains the method step by step.
Do you need internal access?
Internal access to a stairwell gives the most accurate result. Where that is not practical we can survey externally with laser and total station equipment, with slightly less detail on the storey-by-storey breakdown.
How long does it take?
Quotes within one working day, an hour or two on site, and the report within three working days of the visit. Plan on about a week from enquiry to report.
Guides
- Building Safety Act: measuring building heights
How height and storeys are measured under the Act, with diagrams.
Related services
- Measured building surveys
Floor plans, elevations and sections of existing buildings.
- Drone surveys
Aerial LiDAR, mapping and roof inspections.
- Structural monitoring
Movement, crack, tilt and vibration monitoring with alerts.
Tell us about your site
Send a location, a rough brief and your deadline. We reply with a fixed quote within 24 hours.