PRE CONSTRUCTION SURVEYS
VANCOUVER
Pre construction surveys (PCS) are powerful enough to prevent six-figure claims. Not only does a defensible visual record establish confidence between the builder and the community, it also ensures that all parties are protected during the construction phase. That is why we mobilize before the start of your construction to conduct a pre construction survey of the current state of all buildings and infrastructure adjacent to your construction site. We document buildings (exterior and interior), railways, bridges, infrastructure, and everything that can be visually seen within the zone of influence.
In short, our survey acts as evidence to know if the surrounding damages were there before the start of excavation, piling, and heavy equipment use. Developers, contractors, and engineers trust our comprehensive pre-construction survey report and the full annotated data set. We issue same day proposals and the final deliverables are provided within 3-5 business days.
We serve Metro Vancouver’s busiest construction hubs—including Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley (City & Township), North Vancouver (City & District), and New Westminster—plus adjacent feeder projects across the Tri-Cities and the North Shore.
Pre construction survey tailored for Metro Vancouver
When excavation starts, everyone suddenly remembers a crack that “wasn’t there.” Our pre-construction survey in Metro Vancouver creates a defensible baseline of all buildings, utilities, rail tracks, bridges, and infrastructure within the construction's zone of influence, and extending 20m beyond that. We use enterprise grade cameras to systematically capture photos and videos, with optional 360 imagery. What you get is a comprehensive pre-con survey report, plus the raw data set - indexed, time stamped, and annotated. For a fraction of your projects budget, you can prevent six-figure damage claims and construction delays.
Our visual documentation meets the local requirements
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Developers & contractors
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City & municipality requirements
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Strata councils & property managers
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Homeowners & adjacent owners
Build with confidence.
We align surveys to your critical path, coordinate tenant and public notices, and respect lane closures, party walls, and access windows. Deliverables are formatted for insurers and municipal reviewers so files don’t stall, and our evidence set is organized to match permit requirements and traffic management plans where street use is involved.
Comply with by-law.
Most city impacts trigger a traffic plan + permit before you begin. In Vancouver, work that affects streets/sidewalks typically needs a Traffic Control Plan or Traffic Management Plan and a Construction Street Use Permit; crane lifts, concrete pours, or metered-space reservations may also require a TMP and insurance on file.
Noise hours are regulated. Under Vancouver’s Noise Control By-law 6555, construction noise is restricted by day and location (private property vs streets). Work outside permitted hours requires a by-law exception; plan your access windows and resident notices accordingly. Need to monitor construction sound levels in Vancouver? Check out our compliant noise monitoring service.
City property is inspected before and after permitted work. Street-use permits commonly include pre- and post-work inspections of sidewalks, lanes, and boulevards tied to damage deposits, so a clear baseline (your pre-construction survey) helps close out deposits quickly. Some permits also require advance neighbour notification (for example, 48-hour notice before closures) and maintaining safe access while the approved TMP is in effect.
Documentation to review.
Room-by-room indexing makes council review fast. We provide notice templates, evening/weekend access where needed, and a clean archive you can reference during and after construction. If site logistics require sidewalk or lane closures, we coordinate timing so building operations and deliveries can continue.
Compare with post construction survey.
You receive the full set of originals and an easy index to find “that exact corner” later. If a post-construction check is needed, the same indexing saves time and re-visits, and helps resolve any questions with contractors, strata councils, or the City.
What’s does the pre-construction survey cover?
A survey visit methodically captures facades, foundations, driveways, walks, retaining walls, fences, interior walls and ceilings where access is granted, along with finishes, fixtures, and areas historically prone to cosmetic cracking. Each image includes time, location context, and a consistent shooting angle so future comparisons are valid. We add wide‑angle context, medium frames for alignment, and close‑ups of notable hairline cracks or defects, then reference them back to floor plans or a simple room index. For projects near SkyTrain alignments and utility/rail corridors, we coordinate access windows and safe-work procedures that respect train operations, lane closures, and adjacent businesses.
We service Vancouver and the beautiful British Columbia
We service Vancouver and B.C.’s most construction-active regions—including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley; the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission); the Capital Region (Victoria, Langford, Colwood, Saanich); the Okanagan (Kelowna); Nanaimo, Kamloops, and Prince George.
If your scope spans beyond Vancouver and British Columbia, see our detailed methodology on the condition survey service page.
Simple procedure and detailed delivery
Initial Contact
Request a preconstruction survey quote
and we will get back to you with a same day custom proposal tailored for your project. We discuss coverage, access and our methodology for a successful documentation. For heritage homes or unique finishes, we plan additional detail to ensure subtle features are captured consistently.
Field Mobilization
Our trained Vancouver specialist follows a repeatable route so the survey image order mirrors how spaces are documented. We will use a 360o cameras and aerial imaging for hard to reach areas. We maintain consistent angles and indexing for a simple pre‑and‑post construction comparison.
Final report in 3–5 days
Within three to five business days you receive a detailed pre construction survey report and the full, time-stamped data file. The report is delivered via a protected online dropbox for your team and stakeholders to easily share and retrieve months later.
Pre and post construction surveys for a complete coverage
In Vancouver’s dense urban build zones, proof after the project matters just as much as before. Together, pre-construction and post-construction surveys create a complete record that safeguards contractors from risk and strengthens confidence in every build. These surveys provide documented proof of due diligence that reassures owners and municipalities while keeping projects on schedule.
Pricing transparency and availability
Pricing depends on unit count, interior access, parking/traffic control, and whether 360 capture is required. We provide fixed‑fee proposals with a defined photo count range, clear exclusions, and a target delivery date. Most single‑structure residential baselines schedule within a few days; multi‑unit or mixed‑use sites are planned in phases to minimize disruption.
Need a proposal today? Request a same‑day quote or call (236) 515-5580.
Some of our many pre construction survey projects
High-Rise Development in Vancouver, BC
Contractor: Ledingham McAllister
Site: Vancouver, BC
Date: March, 2025
A detailed pre-construction survey in Vancouver documenting all nearby buildings and infrastructure. This baseline record helps reduce risk and protect stakeholders during construction.
Pre & Post Construction Survey in Penticton
Contractor: Stretch Construction
Site: Penticton, BC
Date: September, 2024
Comprehensive pre and post construction surveys in Penticton, BC. High-resolution photographic records documented nearby properties before and after construction, providing a clear baseline of conditions and ensuring accountability for any potential changes or damages.
Video Survey of Roadway and Streetscapes
Client: Drake Excavation
Site: Mission, BC
Date: September, 2023
Video survey of residential roadways conducted before an excavation project with heavy truck traffic. Continuous video documentation established a detailed baseline of pre-construction by providing clear evidence of any changes during the project.
FAQs about our local Vancouver survey services
Is a pre‑construction survey mandatory in Vancouver?
It isn’t universally mandatory, but engineers, general contractors, and municipalities often require it prior to conducting any work near existing structures.
Who pays for the survey?
Typically the contractor or developer commissions and pays for it as part of due diligence. For small works, adjacent owners sometimes order a baseline for their own records.
How long does it take?
Most single‑family homes are captured in a few hours with delivery in three to five business days. Larger strata or commercial properties are scheduled over multiple access windows.
Do I get the full photo set or just a PDF?
You receive both: the indexed PDF report and the complete original photo set organized by area or room.
Pre construction vs pre‑construction vs preconstruction — is there a difference?
They’re spelling variants of the same service. We use the hyphenated form in headings and include the others naturally so people find the right page.
Request a proposal
Share the site address, anticipated start date, interior access details, and any strata requirements. We’ll return a fixed fee and schedule within one business day.