Compare qualified professionals for property surveys, boundary information, site plans and existing-condition survey data your building permit project may require.
You do not need to know the exact survey product first. Start with what the project needs to prove, locate or coordinate.
Confirm legal boundary information before designing, building or changing the site.
Post This Project →Show where structures, additions, decks or accessory buildings sit on the property.
Post This Project →Support zoning and design review by confirming distances, coverage and property information.
Post This Project →Provide grade and elevation information for design, drainage or site planning.
Post This Project →Coordinate survey information with architectural, civil, structural and permit documents.
Post This Project →Support construction coordination when layout, reference points or site information are required.
Post This Project →The survey scope depends on the property, project, existing records, municipality and professional requirements.
Two survey quotes can look similar in price while covering very different deliverables, field work and coordination.
Illustrative comparison only — actual survey deliverables, pricing, timelines and review requirements depend on the project and jurisdiction.
A lower quote may simply exclude topographic data, digital files, additional site visits or construction layout support your project may need.
Examples only — compare the actual survey deliverables, site visits, digital files, responsibilities and coordination in each quote.
Not every building project needs the same type of survey or site data.
Confirm property boundary information that may affect design, setbacks and site planning.
Show existing structures, site features and property information for the design team.
Support zoning and permit review by documenting relevant distances and site data.
Provide elevation and grade information where design, drainage or civil work requires it.
Provide survey information in formats the design team can use when included in scope.
Support layout or staking needs where construction coordination requires it.
A survey helps the project team understand what exists on the property before plans, setbacks and site work go too far.
Example shown: a home addition using boundary, setback and existing-condition survey information. Actual survey requirements vary by project.
Your building project may involve one professional or several.
Prepares or updates survey information such as boundaries, site data, existing features and topographic information within the agreed scope.
Uses survey information to prepare building plans and coordinate design with the property.
May use topographic or site survey data for grading, drainage or servicing plans.
May need accurate site or existing-condition information where the building scope affects structure or foundations.
Coordinates permit requirements, documentation and submission support within the agreed scope.
May rely on survey or layout information when construction coordination begins.
Not sure who you need? Start with the project. The property, proposed work and applicable requirements help determine which professionals may need to be involved.
Survey information often feeds the design, engineering and permit process. Keep the survey files, revisions and project history together instead of rebuilding it from separate emails and attachments.
Design, engineering or municipal review can identify additional survey data, files or site visits. Keep the added scope, deliverables and cost visible before it becomes part of the project.
Share the property, building project and survey information you think may be needed.
Review land surveyors by scope, deliverables, timelines and quotes.
Agree on survey type, files, site visits, revisions, pricing and milestones.
Track submitted survey plans, files and project coordination.
Use the completed survey information for the applicable design and permit process.
Fund one agreed milestone at a time through the Permit.ca workflow. Review the professional's submitted work before approving the milestone.
A land surveyor may prepare or update survey information showing property boundaries, building locations, existing conditions, setbacks, easements, elevations or topographic information that a building project may need. The exact survey scope depends on the project and jurisdiction.
A project may need a land surveyor when property boundaries, existing building locations, setbacks, lot coverage, grading, elevation or site information must be confirmed for design, zoning, permit review or construction coordination.
It depends on the project. Some projects may need boundary or existing-condition survey information, while others may need topographic data, elevation information, digital survey files or construction layout support.
Sometimes. Designers, architects, engineers or permit professionals may need accurate property and existing-condition information before preparing plans. The need depends on the project and available records.
Compare the survey type, deliverables, site visit requirements, available records, timeline, revisions, coordination with other professionals, milestones and pricing.
No. A land survey documents property and site information within the surveyor's scope. A site plan or building permit drawing may use that survey information as a base for design or permit documentation.
A land surveyor may provide property and building-location information that helps designers or permit professionals evaluate setbacks. The exact zoning or permit interpretation may involve other professionals or the municipality.
The added work should be defined before it begins. Through Permit.ca, additional survey scope, deliverables and milestones can be documented so you can review the change before approving it.
No. Survey information can support design and permit review, but the applicable authority determines whether a permit or approval is issued.
No. Permit.ca is a network that connects clients with independent land surveyors, designers, architects, engineers, permit consultants, contractors and other building professionals. Permit.ca does not directly provide land surveying or other regulated professional services.
Post the project, compare survey scope, property information, site data, timeline and pricing, then choose the professional that fits the work.
