When planning a property project in Brisbane — whether you're building a new home, installing a fence, or resolving a boundary dispute — you'll likely need a professional survey. But which type?
The two most common surveys for residential properties are boundary surveys and detail surveys. While they sound similar, they serve very different purposes.
Choosing the wrong type can cost you time and money.
What Is a Boundary Survey?
A boundary survey (also called a boundary re-establishment or identification survey) determines and physically marks the legal boundaries of your property.
A qualified surveyor researches:
- Title records
- Historical survey plans
- Coordinate data
...to locate your exact property corners and boundary lines.
What you get:
- Physical survey pegs placed at property corners
- A survey plan showing boundary positions, measurements, and bearings
- Identification of any encroachments (fences, structures, or trees crossing boundaries)
- Legal documentation accepted by council, courts, and the Queensland Government
What Is a Detail Survey?
A detail survey (also called a feature and contour survey, or topographic survey) maps all physical features and ground levels across your property.
It captures:
- Buildings and structures
- Fences and retaining walls
- Trees and vegetation
- Driveways and pathways
- Drainage and services
- Overhead wires
- Natural terrain contours
What you get:
- A comprehensive plan showing all site features drawn to scale
- Contour lines showing ground levels and slopes
- Heights and positions of structures, trees, and services
- Information your architect or engineer needs to design your project
When Do You Need Each Survey?
Building a New Home
You need: Detail survey (and possibly boundary survey)
Brisbane City Council requires a detail survey for most development applications. Your architect needs the contour and feature information to design your home correctly.
If your design is close to boundary setbacks, you may also need a boundary survey to confirm exact property lines.
Renovating or Extending
You need: Detail survey
Extensions and major renovations typically require a DA, which means council needs a detail survey. The survey shows:
- Your existing house position relative to boundaries
- Contours and features that affect the new design
Installing a Fence
You need: Boundary survey
Before spending thousands on a new fence, make sure it's on the correct property line. A boundary survey identifies the exact boundary positions so your fence is installed in the right location — avoiding disputes with neighbours.
Subdivision
You need: Both
A subdivision requires:
- A detail survey first (to understand existing features)
- Then a cadastral survey to create the new lot boundaries
The detail survey feeds into the subdivision design.
Boundary Dispute with Neighbour
You need: Boundary survey
If you disagree with your neighbour about where the boundary is, a boundary survey provides legally accepted evidence of the true boundary position. This can resolve disputes without costly legal proceedings.
Buying a Property
Consider: Boundary survey (identification report)
While not mandatory, getting a boundary survey before purchasing can reveal:
- Encroachments
- Boundary discrepancies
- Potential issues that could affect your plans for the property
Key Differences at a Glance
Purpose:
- Boundary survey = property lines and ownership limits
- Detail survey = site features and ground levels
Cost:
- Boundary surveys in Brisbane: commonly around $2,800-$4,500+ (inc GST)
- Detail/contour surveys: commonly around $1,900-$3,300+ (inc GST)
Cost depends on site complexity.
Time: Both usually completed within 1-2 weeks from booking, including research and fieldwork.
Council requirement:
- Detail surveys required for most DAs
- Boundary surveys required for subdivisions and boundary-related approvals
Can You Get Both Done Together?
Yes — and it's often more cost-effective. If you need both surveys, doing them at the same time means the surveyor only needs to visit your site once.
At City Surveyors Brisbane, we offer combined survey packages that save you time and money compared to commissioning each separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both a boundary survey and a detail survey? +
It depends on your project. For new builds and subdivisions, you typically need both. For fencing or boundary disputes, just a boundary survey. For renovations or extensions, usually just a detail survey. If you're unsure, contact us and we'll advise which survey (or surveys) your project requires.
Which survey is cheaper? +
In Brisbane, boundary surveys are often not cheaper than detail surveys because cadastral boundary work requires deeper title research and legal responsibility. Typical ranges seen publicly are about $2,800-$4,500+ for boundary surveys and $1,900-$3,300+ for detail/contour surveys, depending on size, terrain, and complexity.
What does Brisbane City Council require? +
For most development applications (new builds, extensions, pools), council requires a detail survey. For subdivision applications, both a detail survey and cadastral (boundary) survey are required. Your surveyor can advise exactly what council needs for your specific project.
How long does each survey take? +
Both surveys are typically completed within 1-2 weeks from booking. This includes research of title and plan records, on-site fieldwork (usually a few hours to a full day), and office processing to prepare your survey plan. Urgent jobs can sometimes be accommodated faster.
Not Sure Which Survey You Need?
Our experienced team at City Surveyors Brisbane can help you determine the right survey for your project. Call (07) 3477 9914 for free advice, or request a quote online.
We'll make sure you get exactly the survey you need — nothing more, nothing less.