Not Sure What Survey You Need?

Land Surveying Advice Across Melbourne’s North & West

Not sure which survey your project needs? You’re not alone – most people only deal with land surveyors a few times in their lives.

Licensed & experienced land surveyors

Free, clear, fixed-price quotes

Local knowledge of Melbourne’s northern & western suburbs

What Land Survey do I need? We’ll Help You Work It Out

Most people who contact us don’t know the survey name – they just know they need “a survey” for council, a builder or a problem they’re trying to fix.

You might be:

Told by your builder or architect that you need a survey but they haven’t specified what kind

Receiving a letter from council asking for “levels”, “boundaries” or a “site survey” for a permit

Dealing with a fence or boundary dispute with a neighbour

Looking to subdivide or develop but not sure where to start

Building close to a boundary and worried about setbacks and compliance

A title re establishment survey in Melbourne Vic 3000 by North West Land Surveyor to get the land survey completed correctly

At North West Land Surveyor, you don’t need to know the jargon.

Tell us what you’re planning or what paperwork you’ve received, and we’ll recommend the right survey for your situation.

Common Situations & Likely Surveys

Below are some typical scenarios we see across Melbourne’s north and west – and the surveys that usually apply.

A Title Survey to Confirm Adverse Possession of a Property in Melbourne by North West Land Surveyor”

“We’re replacing or moving a fence.”

If you’re unsure where the true boundary is, or there’s disagreement with a neighbour, you’ll almost certainly need a:

Title Re-Establishment Survey (Boundary Survey)

Confirms the exact legal boundary so the new fence goes in the right place and disputes are minimised.

“Council or my architect asked for a ‘site survey with levels’.”

For planning permits, designs and knockdown-rebuilds, the usual requirement is a:

Feature & Level Survey (Topographic / Site Analysis Survey)

Shows existing buildings, features, trees and ground levels, usually tied to AHD, so designs can be prepared and lodged with council.

Sometimes this is combined with a Title Re-Establishment Survey if you’re building close to boundaries.

“We want to subdivide the block.”

If you’re creating an extra lot in Sunbury, Craigieburn, Melton, Werribee, Point Cook or similar suburbs, you’ll need:

Title Re-Establishment Survey

to confirm existing boundaries

Subdivision Survey & Plan of Subdivision

to legally create new lots and titles

We’ll talk you through both steps and work in with your town planner.

“We’re building a new house or townhouses.”

For construction, you’ll typically need a combination of:

Feature & Level Survey

for your architect and planning application

Title Re-Establishment Survey

to confirm the true boundary

Construction Set-Out

to mark building positions, footings and key levels on the ground

Subdivision Survey (if required)

if building multiple dwellings and wanting separate titles for each

As-Built Survey (if required

to confirm what’s actually been built matches the approved plans

Tell us what stage you’re at and we’ll advise which of these are necessary now and which can wait.

Two Land Surveyors from North West Land Surveyor confirming the location of a created Easement and checking for Easement Removal in Melbourne

“Our property is in a flood or drainage overlay.”

If your council or water authority is asking about minimum floor levels or flood impacts, they’ll usually require a:

Flood Level & AHD Survey

Shows ground and floor levels relative to Australian Height Datum (AHD) so engineers and council can check compliance with flood controls.

“There’s a long-standing fence / shed that isn’t on our title.”

Where there is potential adverse possession or encroachment, you may need:

Adverse Possession / Encroachment Survey

Identifies the legal title line and the occupied area, and is used as evidence by lawyers and Land Use Victoria.

Sometimes this is combined with a Title Re-Establishment Survey if you’re building close to boundaries.

If none of these quite match what you’re dealing with, that’s fine – just call or send us what you have (plans, council letters, emails from your builder) and we’ll interpret it for you.

Land Surveyors in North & West Melbourne

Give us a call for a free quote!!

What Happens When You Contact Us?

We keep things straightforward:

A survey is performed by North West Land Surveyor to confirm the Consolidation Plan boundaries in Melbourne

You Tell Us What’s Going On

Explain your situation in simple terms:

“We’re fencing.”

“We’re doing an extension.”

“Council sent us this letter.”

“We want to split the block.”

You can also email us any letters, plans or permit conditions you’ve received.

We Identify the Right Survey

A Licensed Surveyor reviews your information and confirms which survey (or combination of surveys) is appropriate – and just as importantly, which ones you don’t need.

You Receive a Fixed Quote

We send you a clear, fixed-price quote outlining the survey type, what’s included and expected timeframes. No hidden extras, no surprise add-ons.

Two Land Surveyors from North West Land Surveyor confirming the location of a created Easement and checking for Easement Removal in Melbourne
A survey is performed by North West Land Surveyor to confirm the Consolidation Plan boundaries in Melbourne

We Complete the Survey & Provide Plans

If you’re happy to proceed, we:

Attend site and complete the survey

Prepare plans in PDF and CAD formats

Send them to you and, if requested, directly to your architect, builder, town planner or lawyer

If anyone has questions about the survey, we’re available to clarify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Council usually describes the required survey in their planning permit checklist or request letter. If the wording is unclear, simply email us a copy and we’ll translate it into the survey type (e.g. Feature & Level, Title Re-Establishment, Flood Level etc.) and let you know what’s involved.

Yes. Many clients start with: “We’re putting in a new fence,” or “We’re doing a townhouse project in Werribee,” without any paperwork yet. Just describe what you’re planning and we’ll explain the likely survey requirements in plain English.

No. We’re happy to talk through your situation and identify the survey type at no charge. You only pay if you decide to proceed with the quoted survey work.

That’s ideal. With your permission, we can speak directly with your builder, architect, engineer or town planner so everyone is on the same page. We’ll send plans to them as well as to you.

That’s completely normal. Our job is to make sure you don’t need to remember the terminology – just what the survey will do for you. We’ll summarise in simple terms:

  • What we’re measuring
  • Why it’s needed
  • Who will use the plans (council, builder, lawyer, etc.)

Service Areas – Not Sure What Survey You Need?

We regularly help clients work out the right survey across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, including:

A Land Survey of the Easement Creation boundaries in Mornington Peninsula by North West Land Surveyor

Still Not Sure What Survey You Need?

That’s exactly what this page is for.

Whether you’re fencing, renovating, subdividing, building or sorting out a boundary issue, North West Land Surveyor can tell you:

Which survey is required

What it will cost

How it fits into your overall project

Lawyers, councils and property owners use encroachment survey plans as independent evidence when resolving boundary disputes and formalising agreements.

Two land surveyors from North West Land Surveyor confirming there is no encroachment into another title in Melbourne

Call to Action

Not sure what survey you need? You’re not alone — most clients come to us with the same question. Our team will explain everything clearly, provide the right survey, and deliver certified plans accepted by councils, architects, and Land Use Victoria.