What Surveys Do I Need for a New Home on my Land?
![What Surveys Do I Need for a New Home on my Land?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Ftrx1fvo3%2Fproduction%2F63bd694dce7d0c62b56f8940cdbccbc403067c24-3000x1993.jpg%3Fw%3D2000%26q%3D75%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
![View of existing field at Nest House](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Ftrx1fvo3%2Fproduction%2F0dd7e344755f343f8a6c0c5403d877469b3d9ab8-1600x1067.jpg%3Fw%3D900%26q%3D75%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Early Stages
Measured / Topographical Survey
Estate agent plans can be inaccurate and to ensure that a design can be developed accurately and to scale, we recommend a full measured survey of any surrounding grounds relevant to the project.
Drainage utilities search
A desktop search should identify which pipes are owned by the water company and to what extent, and indicate whether or not a build-over agreement may be required.
Mid Stages
Trial pits / ground condition survey
Typically instructed by the structural engineer in order to design foundations suited to the specific ground conditions of a site.
Ecological appraisal
This appraisal can help understand if there are any sensitive ecological factors to the site, and help inform a design response.
Arboricultural (tree) survey
This will look at the condition, ecological value and root protection areas of existing trees on site.
Phase 1 contamination survey
This desktop-based study is used to identify whether land contamination is likely to be an issue on site.
![Flora with ladybird on a site visit in Hampshire](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Ftrx1fvo3%2Fproduction%2F0fd279ccbe371088be21aa0fcf943ef5bda28b60-1536x2048.jpg%3Fw%3D900%26q%3D75%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
![View of air tightness equipment at Nest House testing airflow rates](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Ftrx1fvo3%2Fproduction%2F5c17e5735111603123432ac5d9594152261bbb06-1600x2400.jpg%3Fw%3D900%26q%3D75%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Post-Construction
Airtightness test
For a passivhaus project, a mid-build test is needed prior to final fix and finishes. More typically an air leakage test is conducted at the conclusion of construction.