Land Surveying and Approved Survey Reports.
An accurate survey is the first engineering step in any property or construction project. It records the actual boundaries, dimensions and ground levels of the plot and checks them against the title deed and the approved planning layout.
We use high-precision instruments — total station and GPS/GNSS — to produce approved survey reports that are accepted by Balady (the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing's e-services platform, where building permits are issued), by the ministry and by the municipalities, for permits, subdivision and merging.
The survey report (القرار المساحي, often translated as the survey decision) is requested from the owner's own Balady account, where you choose an engineering office accredited in surveying to carry out the fieldwork; the report is then issued electronically once the fee is paid. It is the first item selected in a building-permit application, so we recommend doing it before design starts, not after: a difference between the deed and the ground is solved at this point by changing a drawing, not a building.
How it runs
The stages.
- Deed and planning data review. We check the electronic deed, the approved coordinates and the planning constraints on the plot.
- Fieldwork. The survey team visits the site and records the corners, angles and levels with total station and GPS.
- Data processing. We process the survey data in GIS (geographic information system) software and match it to the approved plans.
- Encroachment and street-line check. We confirm the plot does not overlap its neighbours and that it matches the approved street lines.
- Survey report issued. We issue the drawings and the approved survey report through Balady, ready for direct use in your transactions.
Deliverables
What you receive.
- Boundary survey. The property boundaries, side lengths, angles and actual total area on the ground.
- Topographic survey with contours and levels. The shape of the ground and its differences in level, used to set foundation depths and calculate cut and fill.
- Approved survey report for permits and subdivision. The survey report issued electronically through Balady after the fieldwork, ready to be selected directly in a building-permit application or other transaction.
- Deed verification and encroachment check. A comparison of the deed dimensions with the measured survey, with any differences documented to support the ownership record.
- As-built survey of existing buildings. An accurate survey of existing structures and their dimensions, as the engineering basis for renovation, extension or a permit amendment.
- Subdivision and merger plans. Files for subdividing land and dividing residential and commercial units, for approval by the relevant authorities ahead of updating the deeds.
Before we start
What we need from you.
- Your current electronic title deed, a housing-programme contract, or other proof of ownership.
- The plot number, the subdivision plan number and the district name.
- The purpose of the survey: building permit, subdivision, merger, deed update or an existing building.
- A request for the survey report from your own Balady account, choosing our office to carry it out; we guide you through the steps.
- Access to the site, and the plot corners or markers pointed out if you know them.
- For existing buildings: the previous permit and its drawings, if available.
Fees
What sets the fee.
- The area of the plot and its number of sides and corners.
- The output required: a survey report for building, a contoured topographic survey or an as-built survey of an existing building.
- The nature of the site, its terrain and how easy it is to reach.
- The number of plots in a subdivision or merger.
- Differences with the deed that need a report and follow-up with the relevant authority.
- The location of the plot and its distance from our office.
Frequently asked questions.
When do I need a land survey and survey report in Saudi Arabia?
When you start the architectural design, apply for a building permit, subdivide or merge plots, amend or update a deed, and before you buy land, to confirm its dimensions. A valid survey report for building purposes is one of the listed requirements of the building-permit service on Balady.
What happens if the deed area differs from the measured survey?
The office issues an official survey report showing the actual coordinates, which is submitted to the municipality or the authority responsible for the deed so that its details can be corrected and updated through the proper channels.
How long does it take to get a survey report?
Balady lists the "issue a survey report" service at ten days. We usually schedule the fieldwork within 24 to 48 hours of receiving complete documents. The actual time depends on whether the ownership data is complete and whether there are differences with the deed that need resolving.
How long is a survey report valid?
According to the survey report service page on Balady, a survey report is valid for three years, after which a new one must be requested for the purpose you need. The purpose of a report can be changed as long as no permit has been issued on it. If you buy the neighbouring plot and want to build across both, they must first be merged, after requesting a new report.
What is the difference between a boundary survey and a topographic survey?
A boundary survey fixes the plot's boundaries, side lengths, angles and area and checks them against the deed; it is the basis of the survey report needed for the permit. A topographic survey records the ground levels as contours, and is used to set the foundation level, calculate cut and fill, and design rainwater drainage. Many projects need both.
Who can issue a survey report?
An engineering office accredited in surveying. The request is made from the owner's Balady account, where the office is chosen; the report is issued after the fieldwork and payment of the fee, and printed from the account. You can check that any office is accredited with the engineering-office inquiry service on Balady.
Official sources
- Issuing a building permit — Balady — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
- Building permit requirements and conditions — Balady — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
- Inquiry about engineering offices — Balady — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Contact
Talk to an engineer.
Send us the plot location and what you want to build. We reply with the scope, the route through the permit, and a written quote.