Topographic surveys

What a topographic survey is

A topographic survey is an accurate measurement of the terrain and everything on it: boundaries, buildings, fences, trees, roads, manholes and ground levels. The result is a drawing with coordinates and spot heights on which the architect and engineers base their design.

In Bulgarian it is also called a tachymetric survey, after the instrument used: a tachymeter or total station. For large sites we also use drone photogrammetry.

When you need it

• For an investment project: the first step, before the architect starts.
• For preparing or amending a detailed development plan (PUP).
• For a design visa and a grading plan.
• Before buying land, so you know the slope, the access and the neighbouring buildings.
• For legalising an existing building.

What the survey contains

• boundaries of the plot and the neighbouring plots according to the cadastral map;
• buildings, fences, roads and pavements;
• trees, manholes, poles and visible utilities;
• spot heights and contour lines of the terrain.

We deliver it in DWG and PDF, and on paper, organised in folders.

Documents required

• proof of ownership;
• a sketch of the property;
• a design visa, if you already have one.

Accuracy and coordinate system

The survey is produced in the coordinate system of the cadastral map (BGS2005) and the national height system. That way the architect, structural engineer and utility engineers all work from the same data, and the building can later be set out on site without discrepancies.

The size and complexity of the site determine the method: for gardens we use a total station and GPS, and for large or hard-to-reach sites we add a drone.

Common mistakes when designing without a survey

• the building ends up closer to the boundary than the visa allows;
• the ground floor level is below street level and water runs towards the building;
• a tree, pole or manhole that gets in the way of construction was not taken into account.

Accuracy and coordinate system

The survey is produced in the coordinate system of the cadastral map (BGS2005) and the national height system. That way the architect, structural engineer and utility engineers all work from the same data, and the building can later be set out on site without discrepancies.

The size and complexity of the site determine the method: for gardens we use a total station and GPS, and for large or hard-to-reach sites we add a drone.

Common mistakes when designing without a survey

• the building ends up closer to the boundary than the visa allows;
• the ground floor level is below street level and water runs towards the building;
• a tree, pole or manhole that gets in the way of construction was not taken into account.