Home Visit, Survey & 3D Building Scan


Residential Architectural Design for Extensions, Loft Conversions & Home Improvements


Home Visit, Survey & 3D Building Scan


A successful design always starts with a clear and accurate understanding of the existing building. I carry out a detailed measured survey of your home to create a reliable base for the design process, ensuring proposals are developed on facts rather than assumptions.


During the home visit, I take precise measurements and record key features of the property, including room sizes, floor levels, window and door positions, ceiling heights and structural elements. This information is used to prepare accurate existing drawings, which form the foundation for all subsequent design work.


Alongside the survey, I also spend time discussing how you currently use the space and what you would like to achieve from the project. This more in-depth design discussion helps ensure the proposals are shaped around your lifestyle, priorities and practical needs, rather than simply maximising floor area.


What You Can Expect


You can expect a professional home visit carried out by me personally, accurate measured survey information and existing drawings prepared as a reliable design base. From the outset, this stage provides a clear understanding of your home and your objectives, ensuring the design that follows is practical, well-considered and tailored to how you live.

3D Scanning for Accuracy and Continuity


I carry out a full 3D scan of the building. This creates a digital model of your home that I can revisit throughout the design process, even when I am not physically on site.


The 3D scan allows me to maintain a strong connection to the existing building as the design develops. This approach improves overall accuracy and supports better-informed design decisions from the earliest concepts through to detailed drawings.


FAQS

  • Will we have an opportunity to discuss the design?

    Yes, absolutely. The survey visit includes time set aside for a focused design discussion, where we can talk through your requirements in more detail and explore initial ideas and options. Having this conversation at your home is particularly valuable, as it allows us to refer directly to the existing spaces, point out opportunities and constraints, and consider how the design can respond to the way you use the house.

  • How long does the survey take?

    The survey typically takes between two and four hours, depending on the size and complexity of the property. I will need your input at the start of the visit to discuss the design and your requirements, and again towards the end if we want to review any initial thoughts or clarify points. For the majority of the time, I will be working independently, carrying out the measurements and survey work.

  • How do you 3D scan our building?

    I use a compact 3D camera mounted on a tripod to scan each room and the external elevations of the building. The equipment is small and unobtrusive, allowing it to be positioned easily, even in tighter spaces. The process is straightforward and causes minimal disruption.

  • When can you carry out a survey?

    Surveys are usually carried out on weekdays, with Saturday morning appointments also available where needed. Availability is agreed in advance to suit your schedule as far as possible.

  • Is your survey professional?

    Yes, measured surveys are undertaken using professional surveying techniques and recognised industry best practice. Where appropriate, this approach is informed by guidance published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ensuring a level of accuracy suitable for architectural design, planning applications and technical drawings.

  • What do you measure?

    I measure all parts of the property needed to support the design and any planning application. This usually includes all rooms on the affected floors, the external elevations of the building and any relevant external features.


    Where safe and practical, I will lift accessible manhole covers to identify drainage runs and check for the presence of sewers. I also record the location and size of any trees that could influence the design, planning considerations or detailed drawings.