Measured Building Surveys

Drones are an excellent high level access solution with clear advantages over traditional approaches such as platforms or hoists. Drones are useful but the law needs to be considered along with guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Paul Wood, a lead Director at Vantage Building Consultancy, is one of the only Chartered Surveyors in the UK to complete the CAA approved RPAS course and knows first-hand the advantages and disadvantages of using drones. Using state-of-the-art UAV and high-resolution cameras, Vantage conducts drone surveys in even the most congested areas, capturing highly-accurate geospatial survey data and high-resolution imagery from even the most challenging or inaccessible location - in a fraction of the time taken by traditional survey methods. As one of the innovators in this area, Vantage can offer drone surveys, and also have an extensive network of approved consultants that tick all the CAA boxes so our clients can be sure if they instruct a third party they are well protected. Enhanced UAV data is seamlessly integrated into existing workflows throughout a project’s lifecycle, with services ranging from condition surveys, building elevations and topographical surveys to 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM), Health & Safety assessments and environmental assessments.

BIM stands for Building Information Modelling; an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives professionals in Architecture, Engineering and Construction the insight and tools to plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructures. The process is supported by a number of different tools and technologies to create a digital representation of a physical building or structure, with all of the characteristics included. BIM provides an understanding of how a building will look within its planned location and how to plan logistics for its construction. 3D modelling/BIM has a place in every stage of the design and build process, from planning to design, build and operation. Planning – In the early stages of the design process, 3D modelling and BIM is used to provide real world data of the existing site and generate contextual models incorporating its natural environment to aid the design process. Design – From this design of the land, conceptual design can be produced, and different design options can be explored. These designs can be presented to the client for approval and input and up to the preconstruction process to plan scheduling and logistics for the building process. Build – During the building process, these plans can be used by the contractors to plan their building process and check back during the construction process as well as ensure they are keeping to timing demands and working efficiently. It can also provide an insight to members of the public and clients to understand what to expect once the project is completed. Operation – Once the project is completed, BIM and 3D modelling continues to be important from an operations and maintenance point of view. These designs provide a detailed map of all elements of the building that can be referred back to during any renovation or demolition.

Having a detailed 3D design of your building or planned building is hugely useful for understanding every element of it. It provides a context of where it is, what the design details are and the surrounding environments. If you are working on a construction project or planned project you are seeking approval for, it provides stakeholders with something they can provide context to and visualise in the planned location. When seeking planning permission from the council or passing consultations with the public – these elements of detail can provide all the difference in gaining support and approval.

• Lease Plan drawn to scale, preferred scales are 1:100 & 1:200 • A Location Plan, scaled at 1:1250 or 1:2500 • Show a North Point • Show sufficient detail to be identified on the Ordnance Survey map. • Include any land associated with the property, including gardens, paths and garages. • Clearly indicate the separate parts of the property, such as the house, parking, gardens, bin areas etc. • Identify any varying floor levels (where required). • Show its general location, by showing roads, road junctions and other landmarks. • Clearly identify demised areas, communal areas and external demised areas by either edging, colouring or hatching. • Show a scale bar and a plan key. • Show buildings in their correct or intended position. • Show measurements that correspond to scaled measurements (as much as possible). • Show intricate boundaries with a larger scale or inset plan. • Not to be marked as 'for identification purposes only' or other disclaimers.