Conducting a self survey

To conduct a self-survey for house plans you will need to measure and sketch the property's layout, including room dimensions, window and door positions, and any unique features. Take photos of each room and the exterior, and note the location of essential features like the boiler, water inlet valve and meters. All this will be used to create detailed building plans.

In more detail:

1. Plan and Prepare:

You'll need a measuring tape or laser distance measurer, pens (black for the overall layout, blue for room names, and red for dimensions) and paper (or a tablet for digital sketching), and a camera or smartphone for photos.

2. Sketch the layout:

Start by creating a rough sketch of each floor, adding room names and basic shapes. Draw a simple outline of each floor, labelling each room.

3. Add details:

Mark the location of doors and windows (showing opening vents) note the number of steps or changes in floor level, record the location of boilers, gas and electric meters, manhole covers, chimneys, ceiling height, and any other relevant features. 

4. Measuring and Adding Dimensions:

Take accurate measurements of the length and width of each room, including wall thicknesses. 

Taking measurements at a consistent height (e.g., 1 metre) for accuracy, capturing features like windows (height/width/cill height) doors

(width/head height) etc.

Consider running measurements:

Taking running measurements (measuring from a starting point to multiple points along a wall) can help minimize errors, along with an overall measurement to compare against. Add the measurements to your sketch using your red pen.

 5. Documenting with Photos: 

Take interior photographs of each room, paying attention to key features and any potential issues.

Take exterior photos, capturing images of the house's exterior, including elevations.

Take photos of your completed measured survey sketches.

Be thorough:

Take as many measurements as possible to avoid having to check later. Look for signs of damp, test for drafts around windows and doors, and check the loft insulation. Assess the quality of finishes, paying attention to the condition of the kitchen, bathroom, and other fixtures. 

Finally email your survey to me and I will create your detailed drawings for you.

Help is at hand:

If you have any questions whilst carrying out your measured survey you can always contact me for advice.

If you do not wish to carry out the measured survey yourself and you are within my locality then I can do this for you.

Begin you project today.

If you found this article useful please check out the other articles on my blog and if you need any assistance with a planning application, etc, please get in touch.