Module 4 : Survey, Site

Appraisal & Measuring

Techniques

In this module you will learn the

following:
The requirements and legalities of site surveys, materials
required and main areas of measurement. You will learn about
the different methods of measurements required when surveying
a site and the most useful scales to use. The uses and
insights of site appraisals are discussed and also the
importance of accuracy and objectiveness.

The objective of this module is:

To learn about materials and areas of measurements

required for surveying a site for garden design
To understand the various techniques used for accurately
measuring the different aspects required for completing
a site survey; including curved and irregular areas
To learn about the various scales used in recording site
measurements on survey maps
To learn about correct photographic recordings and
survey map drawing requirements
To explore site appraisal records and site survey
checklists

4.1: Introduction
Too many people do not take the necessary
time to strategically plan a garden design.
As a result, most of them do not achieve the
garden they dreamed of.

An essential part of planning and designing a garden is the

survey and appraisal. It is important to carry out a site
survey on the proposed plot of land before any serious
planning takes place.

Carrying out this process carefully is critical. Measurements

need to be extremely accurate, hence it is recommended to
carry out site surveys on small, basic plots only; those no
bigger than ¼ acre (1000 m2). For larger sites, it is
advisable to hire a qualified land surveyor at the client’s
expense.

In this module you will learn about the requirements and

legalities of site surveys, materials and main areas of
measurement. You will learn the different methods of
measurements needed when surveying a site and the most useful
scales to use. The uses and insights of site appraisals are
discussed, as is the importance of accuracy and objectiveness.

Remember, surveys are not hard to perform, and there is no

reason to fear the measuring tape. Keep the details organized
and you might be surprised at how easy surveying and designing
a garden can really be.

4.2: What Is a Site Survey and

Appraisal?
A site survey is an evaluation of current
and previously existing features of a site
and the surrounding area, or in this case,
the garden and wider property area.

Surveys and appraisals should be performed for every building

or design project. The level of detail required often depends
on the complexity and scale of the project, as well as the
characteristics of the site.

Designing a small back garden project will require less detail

than the complete overall and landscaping of a large area, or
an area with buildings and power cables.

If the plan for the garden includes a new structure then the
local council will often expect builders or homeowners to
submit the survey in the form of an appraisal. An appraisal
includes the design and the survey results; however, it also
shows that the designer has considered local advice and
provides insight into the overall design.

By the time you finish the survey and appraisal you should be
able to identify two main aspects of the site: how the site
sits in relation to the surrounding area and the precise
characteristics and features of the site. You can then use the
survey and appraisal to help identify opportunities and
potential limitations for the site.

4.3: Materials Needed for Site

Survey
Good quality measuring tape that reaches 50-60 meters
(1000m2)
If you do not have an assistant to help with measuring,
use a metal spike or tent peg to hold the measuring tape
 in place
Camera for photographic records
Rule
Spirit Level
String
Measuring wheel (excellent for working alone)
Laser level (for larger jobs)
Pen and paper or voice recorder.

4.4: Main Areas for Accurate

Measurements

The first thing to do when you arrive to

survey a site is to take a walk around the
garden and observe the various aspects and
elements, to familiarize yourself with the
plot.

The aim is to get an overall feel for the garden. Some gardens
may seem like they have straight lines, but the reality is
that these lines might be angled or curved. This is often the
case, because gardens rarely possess accurate right angles or
exceptionally straight lines.

As a general rule, never trust your eye.

It is important to always be accurate, in all aspects, when
measuring for the plan. Without these measurements you will
find the garden much harder to implement when it comes to the
build.

Take Accurate Garden Dimension

Look at the main garden area and assess all dimensions;
length, width and the changes in level as you move across the
site. Take note of any curves or varying widths; measuring and
recording accurately on your survey plan. To get a better
sense of curves or movements in the line, look at the
perimeter from multiple angles, including from above where
possible.

Measure Existing Garden Features

Once you have documented the size
record the measurements of the
including buildings, paths, plant
areas and steps. Record the height
fences throughout the garden.
of the garden in each area,
current garden features;
beds, paved areas, decking
of trees, shrubs, walls and

Check Positioning of Underground Services

Record the position of underground services such as drainage
points, electric cables and water pipes. This is an essential
part of the site survey to ensure damage limitation when
digging, because disrupting these areas can cause damage and
injury.

You may need to obtain some of the services information from

the service providers who will have an accurate map of where
pipes and cables enter and leave the site boundaries.

If excavating or disrupting earth near cables, you must always

be able to first locate them accurately, for safety reasons.
You can use service plans to help you find the location;
however, these plans may only provide a general indication of
the location of the cables and what cables are in the area.

To accurately locate cables, you will need to use a cable

locating device alongside the plans. These locators are used
frequently during this process – it is not a one-and-done
survey.

If you are using the locating device yourself, you need to

have thorough training on the appropriate use and be aware of
the limitations of this method.
Assess Site Orientation
It is also important to assess the plot’s orientation: record
the north point of the site and record the areas of shade and
sunshine. Determine the direction of prevailing winds and
where it will likely be directed by trees, walls or the house
itself, to make best use of each area of the garden.

You can use several methods for finding the aspect of the
garden. A compass is the most straightforward tool available.
Alternatively, it will be listed on the property deeds that
the client obtained when they purchased the property. Look for
the small ordnance survey, which details the location of north
on the property.

If these are not available, you can use the internet. Use the
‘satellite’ setting on Google maps or Bing to find the
property and map the north arrow on the property.

If all of the above fails, you can find north with no

equipment at all. Go outside on a sunny day at around midday
and look to see which way the shadows fall. The direction the
midday shadows fall will point north at this time of the day.

4.5: Types of Measurements Used for

Garden Surveying
Direct Line Measurement
As its name suggests, this is a simple measurement to assess
the distance from point A to point B.

Running Dimension
Although similar to the direct line measurement, this also
includes the measurement of varying points along the line from
A to B.

For example:
When measuring a house, you can run the tape along the wall
and record the various positions of doors and windows.

Triangulation Measurement
This is used to ascertain the position of trees, garden
features and corners of the garden. Using a wall of the house
as one of the sides of the triangle, you take measurements
from each end of the wall to the same corner, resulting in
your three sides of a triangle.

When you know the length of all three sides, there is only one
shape of triangle that can occur. Using these measurements,
you can plot the position of the corner relative to the house.

Triangulation is also used to plot corners of sheds, garages

and drain covers; it is the surveyor’s most commonly used
measurement. As previously mentioned, no matter how square a
garden appears, use the triangulation method to take two
measurements from fixed corners of the house to the same point
in the garden which you wish to plot.

Begin at one corner and work your way around the entire house
until you have completed all sides. Check that all the walls
have 90-degree angles using direct line measurements and
running dimensions. Record these accurately on your house plan
sketch, ensuring clear legibility of the numbers to avoid
misinterpretation.

Offset Measurements
Another valuable measurement in garden design is offsets. This
is used when there are a number of trees in one garden or for
a small wood.
Two tape measures are required to record an offset
measurement: one is laid on the ground between two points (A &
B), triangulate their positions with the third point (E).

With the second measuring tape, measure the distance from

each tree to the tape on the ground meeting it at a 90-degree
angle.

Next, measure the distance from the tree in addition to the

point where the two tapes meet. This enables you to measure
any amount of trees to a whole range of offsets.

Offset measurement is also valuable in determining curved

plant beds. Plot the position of each end by running the tape
along the ground in line with the bed. Using triangulation,
create a measurement to a fixed point. Take a measurement
every 2-5m along the length of the tape back to the plant bed,
recording each distance.

Later, you can mark off each point on the paper plan, joining
up the dots to get the exact shape of your curved plant bed.
Again, this method is used for all curved areas such as
boundaries, walls, patios, etc.

4.6: Scales Used in Site Survey

Maps
For small gardens and courtyards, use a scale of 1:50 or
¼”=1’-0”
For medium size gardens, use a scale of 1:100 or
1”=1’-0”
For larger sites, use a scale of 1:200 or 1”=10”

A scale of 1:100 means that for every 1 meter you measure, you
would represent that on your drawing as 1 centimeter. So if
you had a 400 cm area on your plot, this would be indicated on
your plan as 4 cm. Divide your measurement by 100 to find your
plan scale.
4.7: Recording the Site Information
on Paper
Two separate site plans are required.

Large Scale Plan

Draw a large scale plan of the house complete with all
windows, doors and drains (including manholes and drain covers
that are close to the house). You only need to include the
areas of the house that are adjacent to garden space; if there
are no side gardens do not include the gable ends in the
drawing.

It is important to have an accurate measurement of the house

as this will be used as a fixed point to measure everything
else. Start by drawing the house, which should stand square
onto your plan.

Example of a Large Scale Plan

This large scale plan offers a general overview of the site.
We can get a lot of information from it, including: plot size,
plot layout, position of the house and adjacent buildings,
doors and windows, existing hardscape and the drainage system.

Whole Site Plan

On a separate sheet of paper, draw out a whole-site plan as
accurately as possible, retaining the shape of the garden.
This is to include the garages, outhouses, trees (including
height, girth, and width of canopy spread), include any trees
that overhang into the garden from neighboring houses or
fields etc.

Draw in any ponds, streams, patios, decking or anything else

that you will keep in the garden design.

If you are keeping the original plant beds and borders, keep
this in the drawing, too.
Then begin drawing your measurements. Start the process by
measuring the overall length of the house and adding it to the
plan. Take the time to use measurements for the location of
windows and doors as well.

Once those measurements are added, you add the measurements of

the boundaries, including boundary walls and any fences.
Ensure the fence that you are measuring from is actually on
the client’s property – so that you’re not inadvertently
including the neighbor’s garden in the plan. Measure in each
boundary corner from two different locations, which will allow
you to check the exact position of the corner on the drawing.
It is important to know where the boundaries and the house
stand, to precisely understand how much space you have to work
with.

At this point, the drawing may begin to resemble a ‘drunken’

spider’s web. However, this is common, because gardens in the
shape of perfect squares are very rare. Even though everything
may look parallel at first examination, this is rarely the
case. This is why you need to know exactly where the corners
of the garden are.

Example of a Whole Site Plan

Using the information from the large-scale plan as a base, the
whole site plan gives us more detailed information about the
existing trees (their position and overall condition through
height, girth and width of the canopy spread), size and the
use of adjacent buildings, and all of the relevant dimensions
including overall length of the house, paths, entrances, etc.
4.8: How to Measure a Busy Garden
In some cases, you will be designing a
garden on a plot that is barely developed.

These gardens may be back gardens that have a fence, a

structure, a tree or nothing at all. The measurement process
for these gardens is relatively straightforward; although you
still need exact measurements, there is less going on in the
garden and you’ll need fewer measurements and taking them will
be straightforward.

However, this is not the case in developed or established

gardens. In some cases, the garden will be already fully
developed and the plants, trees and buildings will complicate
the measurement process. In these cases, you will need to find
a way to improvise. Never at any point should you disregard
essential measurements because of access issues. These
measurements are important in every single garden you design.

If the garden is busy and full of plants, you may find it is

easier to take boundary measurements on the other side of the
boundary wall. In this case, ask the neighbor’s permission to
stand on their side of the property so that you can measure
the fence or wall from the outside, thereby avoiding trees and
bushes.
If you are struggling to reach the end of the garden because
of a plant you can use a broom handle and push the end of the
measuring tape underneath the plant until it reaches the
boundary.

If you can’t get around these plants at all, take the

measurements in front of the plants. However, be sure to take
note of where in the garden you are standing when taking these
measurements.

If you find it difficult to plot trees correctly, use a

similar method to the one you used to find the boundary
corners. Just take several measurements so you can cross-check
the accuracy on the plan.

In some cases, you cannot get close to the boundary on either

side of the garden and will be unable to take any accurate
measurements. In this instance, you should employ a different
technique for measurement. Start by running a tape measure
from the house to the end of the garden. You will not be able
to measure at 90 degrees using this method, but it is better
than not getting a measurement at all. Then, use a second tape
to measure to the first tape, while holding it at 90 degrees,
and measure wherever there are gaps in the plants that allow
for measurements. It is best to use a tool to help you reach
the right angle, but if one is not available, you simply need
to do your best to find it on your own.

4.9: Photographic Recording

Take extensive photos of the site to use as a current

reference point.

Photos should include the landscape, garden features, and

position of oil tanks, steps, drains, electric cables, septic
tanks, and out-buildings, boggy or arid areas from varying
angles.
Take photos from the front and back, from upstairs windows
showing an aerial view of the garden and neighboring sites.

The more photos you take from as many angles as possible, the
better; these are also useful for showcasing ‘before and
after’ photos for your portfolio or possible magazine
publication.

It is not always necessary to take a camera with you. Mobile

phones now include high-quality cameras in them which are
suitable for using in place of a digital camera. However, if
you are taking photos for publication, it is best to use a
high-quality camera like a DSLR for taking pictures on the
site.

4.10: Site Appraisal Drawing

Garden and landscape design ideas are about

the correlation between the current garden
site and the proposed changes to be made.

Therefore, it is necessary to describe and appraise the

existing site before formulating garden concepts for
implementation.

A site appraisal is used to differentiate what is already good

on the current site and what is not. It is a form of
diagnostic plan, indicating the health of a site. It is
important to use objective terms when appraising a site; for
example, instead of using personal terms, such as “I like” be
more specific, such as “positive open space.”

Use different colors to indicate what is deemed good (colored

in red) and can be held onto in the new design, what is
average and could be adapted or incorporated (colored orange)
and what is of poor quality (colored in yellow). The key here
is to begin the development of the yellow areas before moving
onto the orange and finally the red areas.

Never attempt to begin a new design without an accurate and

useful site appraisal of existing characteristics, challenges
and opportunities.
A SWOT approach to site appraisal is useful, outlining the
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Always be aware that nothing is ever black and white, good or

bad, but subject to human interpretation and varying points of
view, for example a large rock in the middle of a garden could
be seen as a strength or a weakness, depending on your outlook
and overall vision for the garden.

Discuss this thoroughly with the client so you have a feel for
their viewpoint and vision.

Example of a Site Appraisal Drawing

Conclusions about the site are best made during the creation
of the site appraisal drawing. Red marker is used for
everything indicating positive characteristics of the garden,
then arrange all of the elements that could be changed or
adapted, and finally, yellow for everything that is indicating
a negative characteristic and should be removed.
4.11: Site Survey Checklist

Physical Elements
Geology underlying rock
Soil pH and texture
Drainage surface water (damp/dry areas &
flowing/standing water areas)
Climate details
Vegetation/plants/trees
Fauna/Wildlife

Cultural Elements
House style/ characteristics/
House structure details
Access points
Service lines/positions
Legal land ownership

Perceptual (sensory) Elements

Site and Building characteristics
Views within/without/ visual barriers/ effects of
surroundings
Privacy/boundaries
Smell, noise, tactile qualities

4.12: Safety Considerations of Site

Survey Maps
A site survey can be classed as a legal
document; hence, if it is incorrectly
documented and any issues arise, it could be
used against you in court if you get sued by
the client or the local council.

It is imperative that your recordings and measurements are 100

percent accurate.

It is useful to print a disclaimer on the site survey plans

with words to the effect of, ‘All dimensions must not be
scaled from this drawing but checked on site for absolute
accuracy’.
Be informed of correct boundary lines from the site being
surveyed and the surrounding land as misinterpretations can
occur. If you are in any doubt about the boundary lines,
ensure you receive a signature from the client to state that
what is documented is accurate and true, or get a qualified
land surveyor to carry out the survey for you. This is always
recommended if the site involved is more than ¼ of an acre. If
there is a fence missing or has fallen, it is important that
you gain clarity on the correct boundary.

In most cases, surveys are very straightforward and easy to

accomplish so don’t be nervous about surveying a site for
garden design.

4.13: Potential Specialist Surveys

The survey and appraisal techniques listed above are for
general use.

However, there may be other specialist surveys that some sites

may require for further explanation. You will determine
whether or not these surveys are required based on the results
of the initial survey.
Some of these potential specialist surveys include:

Ground condition surveys

Tree surveys
Archaeological surveys
Habitat surveys
Protected species surveys
Flood risk assessments
Sunlight assessments
Access and linkage surveys
Noise assessments
Adjoining land usage
Boundary treatments
Drainage assessments
Topography, gradient and orientation assessments
Historic landscape appraisal
Conservation management plans

In most cases, you will need to consult professional

specialist help when performing these surveys. In some cases,
these surveys may be required by the local council and they
will be necessary in order for the project to move forward.

Module Summary
In this module, you discovered the importance of accurate
measurements and boundary lines in site surveying in addition
to the materials and recording methods required. We also
discussed the various different measuring techniques which
need to be mastered before undertaking a site survey for both
linear and irregular measurements. You learned some techniques
for obtaining measurements even in difficult situations.

You were presented with a site survey checklist to obtain all

the relevant information before reporting and drawing a site
appraisal document, an essential aspect of a site survey
report.
Additionally, you learned about the importance of photographic
recording and the correct procedure for recording all the
information and measurements gleaned from the survey on paper
and the scales used.

Lastly, you learned of the importance of protecting yourself

legally in relation to the accuracy and boundary lines of any
site you survey.

Remember, surveying is one of the most important parts of

planning; however, it does not always have to be the most
difficult. Just remember to record all of the information you
gather in an organized and legible way and don’t disregard any
measurements. Every detail you gather during this phase will
be useful at some point in the near future.

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