Measured building surveys

A measured building survey gathers information about the areas and elements of the property included in the enquiry. It can cover spatial layout, dimensions, openings, levels and other observable features identified in the scope. The documentation represents the information collected and should make the areas actually covered clear.

The deliverables can include plans, sections, elevations and supporting records, according to the purpose and documents agreed. The enquiry should distinguish recording the existing building from designing a future solution. If the aim is to prepare a renovation, extension or another design, establish which source information is needed without assuming that the survey already includes that design development.

Explain why you need the documentation: to inform an initial study, develop a design or organise the building's available records. Identify whether you need to cover an individual unit, particular floors, façades or other defined areas. This scope should accompany the enquiry from the outset.

The proposal should clarify the elements to be represented, dimensions and details to be recorded, level of detail and accuracy to be considered for the agreed purpose. General plans and documentation of specific details serve different needs. If another person will use the files, send known information and format requirements so that they can be considered when defining the deliverables.

Send plans, drawings, photographs and records of previous alterations that you already hold. Where known, identify each document's date, source and purpose. An old plan or drawing not checked on site should be treated as reference information, without assuming that it fully matches the current condition.

Information gathering should be organised around access to the agreed areas. When preparing the documentation, observed or measured data, supplied information and points still to be confirmed should be distinguished. Differences from the available drawings and relevant limitations should be identified, together with the survey date.

Furniture, finishes, occupation and access restrictions can limit observation of parts of the property. Explain these conditions before the work is defined. Areas or elements that have not been observed should be marked accordingly; gaps should not be filled as though every detail had been confirmed.

Concealed elements and the internal condition of building components should not be assumed from an architectural record. If topographical surveys, tests or other information gathering are needed, that requirement and its scope should be clarified. A survey enquiry does not presume a particular technology, such as 3D scanning or a drone, or automatic inclusion of those resources or services.

The proposal should identify the documents, formats, file organisation and accompanying information. If you need editable files, presentation scales or particular elements for another task, state this requirement. At handover, the date or version, areas covered and information limitations should be clear.

Existing building documentation can provide a basis for exploring options or developing a design within its defined limits. Building condition assessment, regularisation assessment and other procedures have their own scopes. Representing an existing alteration does not establish its administrative status; where that assessment is needed, it should be identified in the enquiry and coordinated with the available documentation.

Identify the location, type of property and purpose of the survey. To help define the work, provide or describe:

• Areas, floors, façades or elements to be covered.
• Available plans, drawings and other documents.
• Photographs and details of previous alterations.
• The documents and delivery formats you need.
• Known requirements of the design or study that will use the data.
• Occupation, access and areas with restrictions.
• Contact people and relevant dates for arranging the survey.

If you have no plans or do not know every requirement, explain the objective and information already available. Preparing the proposal should identify points requiring clarification and the documentation scope suited to the enquiry.

• Architectural design

  Develop the design that will use the documented information about the existing building.

• Licensing, regularisation and changes of use

  Define the documentation and administrative assessment needed for the intervention.

• Architectural feasibility studies

  Explore options and constraints using the available property information.

We welcome enquiries in Lisboa, Oeiras, Cascais, Sintra, Amadora, Odivelas and Loures. Availability and the feasibility of the work are assessed for each enquiry.