Hey all, I've got a vacant rear battle-axe block of land in Mullaloo (Perth) that I'm planning on building on. It's got a bitch of a slope across the block and has retaining wall on three boundaries, and the fourth needs a retaining wall

My architect buddy has come up with a plan that works with the block quite well but we need a current, detailed site survey done so we can establish a proposed finished floor level prior to submitting to shire for planning approval. The survey needs to accurately show levels on the high and low side of the existing retaining walls and the contour lines within the block itself.

I've no idea what a survey costs and what's involved and my architect buddy works O/S so doesn't really know what the going rates are. Are there any surveyors on here that can give me some indication on what I need to actually ask for and what price range I can realistically expect to pay. My only option at the moment is to ask Gooooogle and cold call a few places but I can see that they will pick me as a babe in the woods and fleece me unless I have a bit of prior info.

(and a shameless plug, if you are a surveyor and are interested in doing the job PM me here).

Sounds fair, who is picking up the travel expenses though?

I'll get the butcher's paper and some crayons.

^^ you blokes with all the right tools and experience and a degree etc always overcharge.

(BTW I actually did send him a serious PM)

I regularly get surveyors to do feature check surveys and the prices can vary. You should also get a title re-establishment survey if you are building near or on the boundary. Not sure about WA surveyors but here it can cost between 1.2k and 2.5k. The survey will save you money in the long run so don't do it yourself or get one of the above cowboys to do it.

Not sure about WA regs, but a consent from your council may be applicable if you get on well with your neighbours and they approve of you going over the max ht. Your argument could be contributed to additional foundation works and expenses... worth a try?

I might be biased as a building designer but find that using professional consultants (surveyors, engineers etc) save many headaches and thousands of $$$ during building works. Good luck with it.