Top 5 Projects that Need Feature & Contour Survey in 2025

Feature and contour survey is crucial in modern land development. Accurate ground-level data is critical when planning a new home, enlarging a business property, or initiating a significant infrastructure project. In 2025, councils and architects want exact site data before giving approvals or beginning design work. This survey records all visible physical features and elevation data on a place. If you're not sure whether your project needs one, this article breaks out the top five sorts of projects that  cannot proceed without a feature & contour survey in Perth.

Top Reasons Why These 5 Projects Require Feature & Contour Survey

1. New Residential Buildings
   You may try to build a single home or an entire housing estate, site planning begins with feature & contour survey. Councils require them before submitting the Development Application (DA). The survey covers existing ground levels, vegetation, drainage points, fencing, and adjacent structures. Besides, submitting plans without an updated contour survey can delay approval for weeks.
   
   
2. Large-Scale Developments
   Commercial or industrial developments heavily depend on accurate elevation and surface data. Before finalizing on anything, developers must understand contours, natural features, and obstructions. Feature & contour survey helps with drainage planning, access road positioning, and site grading. As per the Engineers Australia, nearly 65% of construction reworks arise from inaccurate or outdated site data. 
   
   
3. Subdivision Projects
   Feature & contour survey creates the baseline for designing internal streets, drainage systems, and lot boundaries. Surveyors can identify existing services and utilities to avoid conflicts during construction. Councils need this data to approve subdivision layouts, especially in sloping or flood-prone areas. They are pushing for early-stage digital terrain models, which stem from detailed contour surveys.
   
   
4. Renovation and Remodeling Projects
   Many have the wrong notion that small works don’t need surveys. Yet in 2025, even major extensions need feature & contour survey. Builders and architects must understand land fall and existing structures like retaining walls, walls, trees, or sewer points. Moreover, builders charge extra if elevation data changes mid-project.
   
   
5. Infrastructure & Civil Projects
   Infrastructure projects like road widening, footpath construction, or drainage upgrades depend on topographic information. Feature & contour survey ensures engineers design around real-world conditions. Government tenders now require digital feature surveys in LandXML or DWG formats to qualify for civil contracts in many local jurisdictions.

Feature and contour survey is more than just a planning tool. In 2025, projects that miss this stage are likely to incur delays, additional expenses, or compliance concerns.  Whether you're a homeowner, architect, developer, or engineer, this survey will help you get your project started right.  Investing early in reliable site data saves time, reduces risk, and ensures that your design meets real-world requirements. Before you start drawing up your plans, hire a skilled surveyor to do feature & contour survey.