building surveyor

breaveheart,

There are two times that you need a building surveyor.

The first time is to do a Survey Plan, which is basically the contour of the block, location of existing buildings, location of neighbour’s building, etc. This will cost you anywhere between $1750 to $2150. This should provide enough information to put together a design as well as satisfy any of the council’s DA requirements.

The second time you need a surveyor is when you're ready to build. They will setout the site so that the builder is putting up the building in the right place. It also helps with ensuring that the building is square etc. This will cost anywhere from $650 to $850.

If there is a concern about the actual location of the boundary then a Boundary Survey will cost another $500 or so.

If you use a surveyor through a builder you may get a better price.

By coincidence today I had my site surveyed for the Survey Plan. It cost me $1782 including a Boundary Survey

Sometimes the first part is split into two parts (one before any design starts and the other just before DA submission). It sounds like this is the situation with you and you are about to put together a package for the DA submission

Where are you up to? Have you submitted your design to council for approval?

Also, did you like your architect and have you selected a builder?

Lots of questions I know, but I'm at the start of my project and I'm looking for a good architect and builder. And trying to avoid the many pitfalls

Cheers,
Casa

If I can’t tell my surveyors apart, how am I going to get a house designed and built without being burnt !

From www.buildingcommission.com.au, we have the following definitions for the various surveyors that may be invovled.

Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors assist in the financial planning and management of building and construction projects. This is done through the provision of feasibility studies, cost plans, bills of quantities, lifecycle costing and contract administration, etc.
Engagement is usually through an architect or project manager.

Land Surveyor
Land surveyors create existing site condition and service plans from field survey information and available services records. They also assist in realigning title boundaries, title consolidation, relocation surveys and the provision of construction levels, etc.

Building Surveyor
Building surveyors check and approve plans for compliance with building regulations before a building permit is issued. They may also offer advice on alternate construction solutions which conform with the regulations.