Measured survey and plans service
Visit properties to measure up, then produce the plans homeowners and builders need for planning and building work.
- £1k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A combined service where you visit a property, take measurements with a laser measure or scanner, then draw up existing and proposed plans. Offering both the survey and the drawings saves clients finding two providers.
Your first three steps
- Buy a laser distance measurer and practise surveying friends' or family's homes to check accuracy and timing
- Create a simple package list, such as survey only, planning drawings, and building regs drawings, with clear prices
- Advertise locally through builders, estate agents and local online groups, showing before and after sample plans
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, small developers, builders and estate agents needing accurate floor plans.
How it makes money
Fixed fee for the survey and a separate fee for each drawing package, often priced by property size and complexity.
Skills that help
- CAD drafting
- Accurate on-site measuring
- Customer service and clear quoting
- Basic understanding of building construction
Watch out for
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, which clients and some councils may expect
- Do not call yourself an architect, as the title is protected by law
- Measurement errors can lead to costly rework, so build in checks
- Planning and Building Regulations rules vary across the UK, so check requirements for each local authority
- Plan travel time and costs into your pricing
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: measured survey and plans service
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a measured survey and plans service?
Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your measuring equipment, CAD software and insurance. Plan travel time and costs into your pricing, as you will be visiting properties.
How much can a measured survey and plans business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,200 to £5,500, depending on how many surveys and drawing jobs you win. These are estimates, and travel time and costs should be built into your pricing.
What rules should I check before offering survey and plans?
Check that you do not call yourself an architect, as the title is protected by law. Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and check planning and Building Regulations requirements for each local authority, as rules vary across the UK.
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