House Raise Surveys in Brisbane

What You Need to Know Before Construction Starts

Planning to raise or slide your house in Brisbane? Whether you’re a homeowner aiming to create more space or a builder preparing for a lift, there’s one crucial step you cannot afford to overlook: house raise surveys. These surveys are not just a box to tick—they’re essential for ensuring your project is compliant, structurally accurate, and legally sound.

At Raise My House, we work closely with Survey My Block, a trusted surveyor that provides all the necessary surveying services before, during, and after your house raise. You can request a free quote here—but first, read on to understand why surveys are so important, and when and how they should be arranged.

Why Are House Raise Surveys Needed?

When lifting a home or sliding it across a block, accuracy is everything. Certifiers, engineers, and builders rely on survey data to:

Confirm legal property boundaries
Mark out where the house will sit post-raise
Check the height and position before lifting
Verify that all work has been completed in accordance with approved plans

Without proper surveys, your construction approval can be delayed or denied. Worse still, you could find yourself in breach of property boundaries, risking legal issues or costly rework.

What Surveys Are Required for House Raising?

If you’re raising or sliding a house in Brisbane, your project will likely need the following types of surveys:

1. Cadastral Boundary Survey

If your project involves sliding the house sideways, moving it closer to the boundary, or if no visible pegs exist on the site, a cadastral boundary survey is essential. This legal survey confirms the exact location of your property boundaries. It ensures your house does not encroach on a neighbor’s land and satisfies council and certifier requirements. Only licensed cadastral surveyors can carry this out.

2. Site Setout Survey (Form 12)

Before construction begins, a Form 12 setout survey is required. This document is submitted to your certifier and details the surveyed positioning of structural elements, including stump locations and the house’s footprint. Without this, construction cannot legally commence. It is the responsibility of the builder to book this in—ideally 2–3 weeks before works begin.

3. Height and Position Check

Just prior to lifting the house, a height and position check must be carried out. This survey confirms that the house is raised to the correct height and sits in the correct location per the building plans. It acts as a mid-project compliance check and ensures all lifting works are on track.

4. As-Constructed Survey (AsCon)

Once your house has been raised and construction is complete, a post-raise AsCon survey (as-constructed survey) is required. This survey documents the final position and height of the structure, verifying it matches what was approved. Certifiers rely on this survey to issue final sign-offs and complete the building approval process.

When Should Surveys Be Booked?

Timing is critical. All builders and homeowners must plan ahead and book required surveys with at least 2–3 weeks’ notice. Delays in booking can result in hold-ups in construction or certification, especially during busy building seasons.

In most cases, the builder is responsible for booking the necessary surveys. However, if you’re an owner-builder or managing parts of the project yourself, it’s essential to coordinate with your surveyor early.

Why Do Certifiers Require Surveys?

Building certifiers need concrete, third-party verification that your project complies with planning regulations, zoning codes, and the approved house raise design. Survey reports provide this assurance. Without them, your certifier may refuse to issue a Form 12, withhold approvals, or require rectification works before sign-off.

Recommended Survey Partner – Survey My Block

We’ve worked with numerous surveyors across Queensland, and we confidently recommend Survey My Block for all your house raise survey needs. They specialise in house raising and sliding projects, understand the strict demands of certifiers, and offer:

Experience on lots of house raise projects means they understand builders
Competitive pricing and range of surveys
Fully endorsed cadastral survey business
On-going support throughout the entire build

Plus, they offer free quotes