If you’ve got a planning development project in the works, then you’ll need to get in contact with a land surveyor in Melbourne ASAP. This highly-trained yet largely under-appreciated professional plays an indispensable role in the construction process, and will probably be the first person on site. Read on for a little background information on what the land surveyor does and why you need one.
What Is A Land Survey?
As the name implies, a land survey refers to the mapping process of an area of land. Simple, perhaps, but the finer details are a little more complex.
A land surveyor will draw upon their skills and experience and use cutting edge technology to accurately measure the numerous natural and manmade dimensions of a site. In addition to the length, width, and height of a site, the surveyor will map the topography, inclines, vegetation, fencing, and any existing road or utility infrastructure. Should the project relate to town planning, the surveyor may also record information about the neighbouring or adjoining buildings including features such as doors, windows, eaves, and roofs.
Why Do You Need A Land Survey?
All this detailed information provides a fundamental blueprint for the architecture or engineer to begin designing your development project. Without an accurate map from a skilled land surveyor, these professionals wouldn’t have the necessary dimensional and topographical information to do their job. Put simply: a land survey is a core component of any new development or any large-scale renovation.
A land survey is also an essential legal document that government agencies use for a variety of purposes such as town/urban planning, zoning, nature and heritage protection policies, and boundary registration procedures. The relevant department (Land Victoria in the state of Victoria) keeps all this information on record to settle boundary disputes, assess planning proposals, and aid policy development.
Do I Need A Licensed Land Surveyor?
Every state government in Australia keeps a registry of the licensed land surveyors within their jurisdiction and will require compliance with pre-determined competency and educational standards. In Victoria, the Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria (SRBV) is responsible for these roles. However, whether or not you actually need a licensed land surveyor depends on the type of mapping in question.
Boundary mapping, which is the most common form of land surveying, legally requires a licensed land surveyor. The relevant governing body will refuse to accept any boundary surveys that have not been performed by a licensed professional, and they will always check their records to ensure compliance.
On the other hand, some surveying tasks have no such legal obligations. Engineering, environmental, monitoring, construction, and existing conditions surveys don’t have any legal requirements. With so many available options in Victoria, take the time to find the Melbourne land surveyor that’s right for you.
How Much Can I Expect to Pay?
The cost of a land survey varies significantly depending on the specifics of the job. A surveyor will factor in the location of the property, its shape, its size, trees, road access, and the terrain into their initial quote. A simple surveying job might cost as little as $500, while a complex multi-faceted project can stretch into the tens of thousands.
What is for certain, however, is that the price of obtaining a land survey is far lower than the cost of neglecting to get one. Beginning construction without a land survey will almost certainly result in your development project failing spectacularly.