If you’re preparing a Development Application (DA) in Brisbane or greater South East Queensland, one of the first questions your architect, draftsperson, or town planner is likely to ask is: “Do you have current as-built drawings?”
If the answer is no — or if your only drawings are decades-old originals that don’t match what’s actually on site — you may need an as-built survey before your DA can move forward.
What Is an As-Built Survey?
An as-built survey documents a building or site exactly as it currently exists, not as it was originally designed or approved. Over time, buildings change: extensions get added, walls get moved, floor levels get altered, services get relocated. Original architectural plans rarely reflect these changes accurately.
An as-built survey uses precise measurement technology — in our case, terrestrial laser scanning — to capture the true, current condition of a structure. The result is a highly accurate 3D point cloud that can be converted into 2D drawings, BIM models, or whatever format your council submission requires.
When Council Will Ask for One
Not every DA requires an as-built survey, but they’re commonly requested for:
Extensions and additions to existing structures, where council needs to see exactly how new work ties into the existing building
Renovations affecting structural elements, where accurate existing dimensions are critical for engineering assessments
Older buildings without reliable records, particularly pre-1980s properties where original plans may be missing, inaccurate, or simply don’t exist
Heritage-listed or heritage-adjacent properties, where councils often require precise documentation of existing fabric before approving changes
Subdivision or dual occupancy applications, where existing building footprints and boundary relationships need to be confirmed
Multi-unit or commercial developments, where discrepancies between “as approved” and “as built” can hold up an entire application
If your project falls into any of these categories, it’s worth asking your town planner early whether an as-built survey will be required — discovering this after your DA is lodged can cost you weeks in council delays.
Why Accuracy Matters More Than You’d Think
Council assessors are comparing your proposed plans against the existing conditions of your site. If your existing conditions drawings are inaccurate — even by a few centimetres — it can create inconsistencies that trigger requests for information (RFIs), delay assessment, or in some cases require you to resubmit entirely.
Laser scanning removes the guesswork. Instead of manual measurements that carry human error, a scan captures millions of data points across the entire structure, giving you and council confidence that what’s on paper matches what’s on the ground.
How the Process Works
At Spatial Method, our as-built survey process is straightforward:
Site scan — We use a Trimble X7 terrestrial laser scanner to capture the building or site, typically completed in a single visit.
Registration and processing — Scan data is registered and cleaned into a single accurate point cloud.
Drawing production — We produce 2D CAD drawings, including plans, elevations, and sections, or a 3D BIM model matched to the format your architect or town planner needs.
Delivery for your DA submission — Drawings are handed over ready to go straight into your development application package.
Not Sure If You Need One?
If you’re planning a renovation, extension, or development and you’re unsure whether council will require an as-built survey, get in touch. We can talk through your project and, if needed, coordinate directly with your architect or town planner to make sure your DA has exactly what it needs from day one.