The 10-step framework

1. STEP 1

   Confirm you need a licensed surveyor

   Under the Survey Act 1992 (SA), only Licensed Surveyors registered with the Surveyors Board of South Australia can perform statutory surveys (boundary re-establishment, land division, cadastral surveys). Detail and level surveys can be done by non-licensed surveyors, but licensed is the default choice for any new build.

2. STEP 2

   Understand the four survey types

   Detail and Level Survey: shows block dimensions, existing structures, levels, trees, services. Used for design. Boundary Re-establishment Survey: pegs the legal boundary lines. Used before building near a boundary. Identification Survey: identifies encroachments and boundary issues. Used at pre-purchase. Land Division Survey: subdivides one title into multiple. Used for duplex or subdivision.

3. STEP 3

   Get quotes on scope, not just price

   A detail and level survey for a typical suburban block ranges from several hundred to just over a thousand dollars. Boundary re-establishment is typically similar to slightly higher. Confirm scope at quotation: which structures included, which levels captured, whether services are located.

4. STEP 4

   Check registration on the Surveyors Board of SA register

   The Surveyors Board publishes a public register of licensed surveyors at surveyors.sa.gov.au. Only registered practitioners can use the title "Licensed Surveyor."

5. STEP 5

   Book early in the project timeline

   A survey is one of the first professional engagements on any project. Book two to four weeks in advance of when you need the drawing. Rushed surveys can miss details that later cost real money.

6. STEP 6

   Provide the surveyor with your title certificate

   The surveyor will need your Certificate of Title, any easement documents, and prior survey drawings if available. Provide these at engagement to speed up the on-site work.

7. STEP 7

   Discuss data delivery format

   Modern surveys are typically delivered as PDF plans, CAD files (.dwg), and 3D point clouds for larger sites. Ensure your designer or engineer receives the format they need. Additional formats sometimes attract additional fees.

8. STEP 8

   Ask about the coordinate system used

   Modern SA surveys use MGA2020 coordinates. If you have older survey data on an earlier datum, mention it; the surveyor can translate. Mixing datums causes real errors on integrated design projects.

9. STEP 9

   Confirm the peg placement

   For boundary re-establishment, the surveyor places physical pegs at the boundary corners. Confirm what happens to these pegs during construction (protection, replacement if lost) and whether verification pegs are placed for the builder to reference during construction.

10. STEP 10

    Check professional indemnity insurance

    Licensed surveyors are required to hold professional indemnity insurance. Ask for the certificate of currency at engagement.

FAQs