Frequently Asked Questions

Land survey costs in Sydney vary depending on the type of survey, property size, and complexity. A basic boundary identification typically costs $800-$1,500, a full boundary survey ranges from $1,800-$3,500, detail surveys cost $1,500-$4,000, and subdivision surveys can range from $4,000-$12,000+ depending on the number of lots and council requirements.

Several factors influence the cost of a land survey in Sydney: property size (larger blocks take longer), terrain difficulty (steep or heavily vegetated sites), age of subdivision (older properties require more research), number of boundaries to survey, and required turnaround time (urgent jobs cost more).

We provide transparent, upfront quotes with no hidden fees. Our quotes include all survey work, plan preparation, and standard deliverables. Additional charges may apply for: urgent/rush services, multiple site visits, difficult access requiring special equipment, or additional services not in the original scope. We'll always discuss any potential additional costs before proceeding.

Survey turnaround times depend on the type of work: Boundary identification takes 5-7 business days, detail surveys take 5-10 business days, construction setout is usually same-day or next-day, and subdivision surveys take 4-8 months including approvals. The field work itself typically takes 2-4 hours depending on property size.

Subdivision approval timelines vary depending on the type and complexity. A simple two-lot Torrens title subdivision might take 4-6 months, while more complex multi-lot or strata subdivisions can take 8-12 months or longer. These timeframes include council or NSW Planning Portal approval, condition clearance, and NSW LRS registration.

Yes, we offer expedited services for urgent projects. Same-day or next-day site attendance is often possible depending on our schedule and your location in Sydney. Rush processing of survey plans can also be arranged. Additional fees apply for urgent services. Call (02) 5114 2551 to discuss your urgent requirements.

While our standard operating hours are Monday to Friday, we can arrange weekend surveys for urgent projects or where site access is restricted during weekdays. Weekend surveys may incur additional fees. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

You don't need to be present during the survey, but we do need access to your property. Please ensure: gates are unlocked or access codes provided, dogs are secured inside or in a separate area, and the yard is reasonably accessible. For boundary work, we may also need to briefly access neighbouring properties to locate survey marks. We'll coordinate this with you beforehand.

To prepare for a survey: ensure clear access to the property, secure any dogs, clear vegetation from boundary areas if possible, provide any relevant documents (plans, DA approvals), and let neighbours know if we may need brief access to their property for boundary work.

A boundary identification locates and marks your property corners based on existing survey marks and title information - it shows you where your boundaries are. A full boundary survey (or re-establishment) is more comprehensive, re-establishing the legal boundaries and placing new permanent survey marks. Re-establishments are typically required for subdivisions or when original marks are missing.

While not legally required under the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW), we strongly recommend a boundary identification survey before building a fence in Sydney. This prevents costly disputes with neighbours and ensures your fence is built in the correct location. Many fence disputes end up requiring surveys anyway, so it's more cost-effective to survey first. A basic boundary identification for fence purposes typically costs $800-$1,500.

If a survey reveals your fence is on the wrong boundary, you'll need to negotiate with your neighbour about the fence position. Options include moving the fence to the correct boundary, entering an encroachment agreement, or in some cases, applying for adverse possession after 12 years of continuous occupation. We recommend getting a survey before building any new fence.

You can get a general idea of your boundaries from your certificate of title available from NSW Land Registry Services or using NSW Planning Portal's mapping tools. However, these are not accurate enough for construction or legal purposes. Only a survey by a registered surveyor can legally establish your exact boundary positions.

A detail survey (also called feature or topographic survey) captures all existing features on a property including buildings, fences, trees, levels, and contours. Architects and engineers use this information for designing extensions, new buildings, or development projects. It's typically required before submitting a Development Application (DA) to council.

Yes, you typically need a detail survey for a granny flat in Sydney. Your architect and council/certifier will require accurate site information for DA or CDC applications. The survey shows boundaries, setbacks, existing structures, trees, and levels - all essential for ensuring your granny flat complies with planning requirements.

Whether you can subdivide depends on your property's zoning under the Local Environmental Plan (LEP), lot size, and local council requirements. Minimum lot sizes vary by zone - typically 450-600m2 in residential zones, though some areas allow smaller lots. Our team can assess your property's subdivision potential and guide you through the NSW Planning Portal and council approval process.

Torrens title subdivision creates separate land parcels with individual titles - you own the land and everything on it. It's used for traditional house blocks. Strata subdivision creates lots within a building or development where you own your lot but share common property (driveways, gardens, lobbies) with other owners. Strata is common for apartments, townhouses, and dual occupancies.

Construction setout is the process of marking the positions of planned structures on the ground so builders know exactly where to construct. This includes positioning building corners, foundation lines, floor levels, and reference points. Accurate setout is critical to ensure buildings comply with approved plans and council setback requirements.

Book your setout survey after excavation is complete but before formwork or slab construction begins. Give your surveyor 2-3 days notice. The builder needs the setout marks to position footings and formwork correctly.

An engineering survey supports construction and infrastructure projects. It includes pre-construction site surveys, construction setout, as-built surveys, and monitoring. Engineering surveys provide the spatial data engineers and contractors need for design and construction verification on projects from house extensions to major infrastructure.

In New South Wales, only surveys conducted by a surveyor registered with the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information (BOSSI) are legally recognised for property boundary matters. Unregistered surveys cannot be used for lodgement with NSW Land Registry Services, court disputes, or building certifications.

A Section 88B instrument is a legal document registered with a subdivision plan that creates easements, restrictions, or rights of way over land. It binds current and future property owners. Your surveyor prepares these as part of subdivision applications.

Modern land surveyors use high-precision GPS/GNSS receivers accurate to within millimetres, robotic total stations for angle and distance measurements, and digital levels for height determination. We also use drones for aerial mapping on larger sites. All equipment is regularly calibrated to meet NSW surveying standards.

Modern survey-grade GPS equipment achieves accuracy of 10-20mm horizontally and 20-30mm vertically under good conditions. For even higher precision work, we use robotic total stations which can achieve sub-millimetre accuracy for construction setout and monitoring surveys.

We service all of Greater Sydney including the CBD, Eastern Suburbs (Bondi, Randwick), North Shore (Chatswood, North Sydney), Northern Beaches (Manly, Dee Why), Inner West (Marrickville, Leichhardt), Western Sydney (Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith), Hills District (Castle Hill, Kellyville), and South Sydney (Sutherland, Cronulla). We also service the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, and Wollongong regions.