Detail Survey Sydney

Map Your Site Before You Design

Before your architect puts pen to paper, they need to know exactly what's on your block. A detail survey gives them that foundation - every level, every tree, every service pit, mapped with centimetre accuracy. Without one, you're designing blind and risking expensive surprises once construction starts.

We survey residential blocks, commercial sites, and development parcels across all of Greater Sydney. Your architect or engineer gets CAD-ready files that slot straight into their design software, meeting NSW planning requirements for DA submissions.

What Gets Captured in a Detail Survey?

Think of it as a complete snapshot of your property's physical reality. Where a boundary survey stops at property lines, a detail survey documents everything that might affect your project:

• Existing Buildings: Locations, floor levels, eave heights, and building footprints
• Fences and Walls: All boundary fences, retaining walls, and internal dividers
• Trees and Vegetation: Tree locations, trunk diameters, canopy spreads, and species (where identifiable)
• Services: Stormwater pits, sewer manholes, water meters, electricity poles, and Telstra pits
• Site Levels: Ground levels across the site shown as spot heights and contour lines
• Driveways and Paving: All hard surfaces, kerbs, and footpaths
• Easements: Registered easements shown on title
• Property Boundaries: Boundary locations relative to improvements (optional: combined with boundary identification)

When Do You Need a Detail Survey in Sydney?

Detail surveys are required or recommended for many property projects in Sydney:

• Architectural Design: Architects need accurate site data before designing new homes, extensions, or renovations. A detail survey ensures designs fit the actual site conditions.
• Development Applications: Many Sydney councils require a detail survey as part of your DA submission. The survey shows how your proposal relates to existing site features and neighbours.
• Site Planning: Developers and builders use detail surveys to assess site constraints, plan earthworks, and calculate cut and fill volumes.
• Renovations and Extensions: Before extending your home, you need to know existing floor levels, boundary setbacks, and tree locations that may affect your plans.
• Pool Construction: Pool builders require accurate levels and service locations before designing and constructing swimming pools.
• Landscaping Projects: Landscape architects use topographic data to design drainage, retaining walls, and outdoor living areas.
• Stormwater Design: Engineers need contour information and service locations for stormwater management design.
• Subdivision Feasibility: Before committing to a subdivision project, a detail survey helps assess site constraints and development potential.

Our Detail Survey Process

Sydney Surveyor Solutions follows a thorough process to ensure your detail survey meets all requirements:

1. Initial Consultation: We discuss your project requirements, timeline, and any specific features you need captured. We provide a detailed quote based on your property's size and complexity.
2. Title Research: Before the site visit, we obtain your property title and review any registered easements or restrictions from NSW Land Registry Services.
3. Site Survey: Our surveyors visit your Sydney property with precision GPS and total station equipment. We systematically capture all site features, levels, and boundaries. Typical site visits take 2-4 hours for residential properties.
4. Data Processing: Back in the office, we process field data using professional survey software, create contour lines from level data, and prepare your survey plan.
5. Plan Delivery: You receive a professional survey plan in PDF format, plus CAD files (DWG/DXF) for your architect or engineer. We're available to discuss the results and answer questions.

Detail Survey Costs in Sydney

Detail survey costs depend on property size, access, site complexity, and the level of detail required. For Sydney properties:

• Standard Residential Detail Survey: $1,500 - $3,000
• Large Residential or Multi-Unit Sites: $3,000 - $5,000
• Commercial and Development Sites: $5,000 - $8,000+
• Combined Detail + Boundary Survey: Often more cost-effective than separate surveys

Factors that affect pricing include steep terrain, dense vegetation, multiple buildings, and extended service tracing. Contact us for a free, detailed quote specific to your Sydney property.

Detail Surveys Across Greater Sydney

We provide detail survey services throughout Sydney and surrounding regions, including:

• Eastern Suburbs: Bondi, Randwick, Double Bay, Coogee, Maroubra, Vaucluse, Rose Bay
• North Shore: Chatswood, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Willoughby, Cremorne, Neutral Bay
• Northern Beaches: Manly, Dee Why, Mona Vale, Avalon, Narrabeen, Frenchs Forest
• Inner West: Newtown, Marrickville, Leichhardt, Balmain, Ashfield, Dulwich Hill, Annandale
• Western Sydney: Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool, Bankstown, Strathfield, Homebush
• South Sydney: Sutherland, Cronulla, Hurstville, Kogarah, Miranda, Rockdale, Sans Souci
• Hills District: Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Dural, Rouse Hill, Cherrybrook

Our local knowledge of Sydney's varied terrain - from steep sandstone ridges in the Eastern Suburbs to flat alluvial plains in Western Sydney - ensures efficient, accurate surveys every time.

What You Receive

Every Sydney Surveyor Solutions detail survey includes:

• Professional Survey Plan (PDF): A detailed A3 or A1 plan showing all surveyed features, levels, and contours
• CAD Files (DWG/DXF): AutoCAD-compatible files for your architect, engineer, or designer to import directly into their software
• Coordinate Schedule: Full list of surveyed points with coordinates and heights (Australian Height Datum)
• Feature Legend: Clear legend identifying all symbols and abbreviations used on the plan
• Boundary Information: Approximate boundary locations relative to improvements (for full boundary accuracy, combine with a cadastral survey)

Combining Detail and Boundary Surveys

Many Sydney clients benefit from combining a detail survey with a boundary identification. This provides:

• Accurate boundary positions marked on site and shown on your plan
• Precise setback measurements to boundaries for development applications
• Better value than commissioning separate surveys
• Complete site information in one survey visit

We recommend the combined approach for development applications, subdivision planning, and projects where boundary setbacks are critical. Ask about our combined survey packages when you request a quote.

NSW Planning and Council Requirements

Many Sydney councils require detail surveys for development applications. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure sets guidelines for development assessment, and local councils have specific requirements for survey plans. Our detail surveys are prepared to meet these requirements, including:

• Compliance with council DA lodgement standards
• Australian Height Datum (AHD) for all levels
• Tree survey data for development assessment
• Service location information for engineering design
• Compatibility with council GIS and planning systems