Surveying guides
Practical guides written by our surveyors, from using a dumpy level to reading a point cloud. Looking for a calculator? See our free tools.
Land, levels and topographical surveys
- How Much Does a Topographical Survey Cost in 2026?How much a topographical land survey costs in the UK in 2026, what drives the price, and practical ways to keep your survey cost down.
- How To Measure Land Using Tapes or Google EarthHow to measure an area of land yourself with surveying tapes or the free Google Earth measuring tools, without hiring a land surveyor.
- How To Use a Surveying Dumpy LevelStep-by-step guide to setting up and using a surveying dumpy level to measure heights across your site, with tips on accuracy and care.
- Two Peg Test Guide and CalculatorHow to check your dumpy level is accurate with a two peg test, step by step, plus a free two peg test calculator.
- What Is a Topographical Survey? 2026 GuideWhat a topographical survey is, what it shows, how it is carried out and why it is a crucial first step for any building project.
Measured surveys and floor areas
- How Much Does a Measured Survey Cost in 2026?How much a measured building survey costs in the UK in 2026, what affects the price, and how to get an accurate quote.
- How To Check Your Building Height (Building Safety Act 2022)How to measure your building height and storeys to check if it is a relevant or higher-risk building under the Building Safety Act 2022.
- How To Find Floor Plans of My House in the UKEffective ways to find the floor plans of your house in the UK, from planning portals and estate agent listings to measuring it yourself.
- How To Measure a BuildingA complete guide to measuring a building yourself with simple tools such as tape measures and laser measures, from rooms to elevations.
- Measured Survey Example DrawingsExamples of measured survey drawings, including floor plans, elevations, sections and reflected ceiling plans, and when each one is needed.
- Understanding NIA and GIA: A Comprehensive GuideThe differences between Net Internal Area (NIA) and Gross Internal Area (GIA): definitions, inclusions, exclusions and uses.
- What Is a Measured Survey? 2026 GuideWhat a measured building survey is, how it is carried out, the drawings you get and why it matters before any design work starts.
Cracks, movement and monitoring
- Help! My Neighbour Is Building a BasementKey steps to protect your property when your neighbour is planning a basement, from party wall notices to movement monitoring.
- How Does a Building Movement Monitoring Survey Work?How building movement monitoring works, from target installation and base readings to ongoing visits, trigger levels, reporting and removal.
- How To Monitor a Crack OpeningStep-by-step guide to monitoring cracks in walls with Demec studs and tell-tale gauges, including how to record and report readings.
- How To Monitor Building Settlement and HeaveThree industry standard ways to monitor building settlement and heave, and how to choose the right one for your project.
- How To Spot Structural Movement in Your HomeLearn the signs of structural movement in houses, from cracks to uneven floors, what causes it and what to do next.
- Monitoring Structural Deflection in RAAC Concrete Roof PlanksHow deflection in RAAC concrete roof planks is monitored, why it matters, and what a RAAC monitoring survey involves.
3D laser scanning and point clouds
- Guide to As-Built Surveys: What You Need to KnowThe basics of as-built surveys: what they are, how they are carried out and why they matter in construction and property management.
- How To Easily Open and View a Point Cloud File for FreeHow to open, view and measure RCP point cloud files for free in Autodesk ReCap, with the most useful tools explained.
- The Benefits of 3D Scanning for MEP DesignThe advantages of 3D laser scanning for MEP design: better accuracy, less time on site, lower costs and fewer clashes.
- Uses of 3D Laser Scanning in ConstructionThe main uses and benefits of 3D laser scanning in construction, from measured surveys and scan to BIM to clash detection and progress records.
- What Is a Point Cloud?What a 3D point cloud is, how point clouds are captured with laser scanners and drones, and how they are used in design and construction.
Building calculators and DIY
- How To Design a French DrainHow to design a French drain: common uses, trench size, gravel type and flow rates for your construction project.
- Preparations To Consider Before You Build Your New HomeBuilding your own home? The key things to plan before you start so the project runs as smoothly as possible.
CAD and survey software
- Connecting a Leica Viva CS Controller to a Mobile Wi-Fi HotspotHow to connect a Leica Viva CS controller to a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, step by step, so it keeps working after the 3G switch-off.
- Goodbye AutoCAD: Why We Are Moving to BricsCADThinking of switching from AutoCAD? The four main reasons THS Concepts moved to BricsCAD, from cost to flexibility.
Tell us about your site
Send a location, a rough brief and your deadline. We reply with a fixed quote within 24 hours.