Over the last 20 years, the way we capture information about buildings and land has changed dramatically.

At DM Hall, our Architectural Services team has evolved from using tape measures, manual ceiling rods, notebooks and pens, through laser measuring and digital data capture, to the sophisticated tools available today.

But while the technology has changed, one thing hasn’t: the importance of good surveying skills.

Not long ago, a typical survey involved manually recording dimensions, using a ceiling rod to establish heights and returning to the office with pages of notes and sketches.

Today, we can capture information digitally, use laser measures for dimensions and heights, and LiDAR scanning for detailed 3D information. Our latest addition, the Emlid Reach RX2 GNSS rover, takes this further for external surveys, allowing us to accurately capture positions, boundaries, areas and levels.

Technology is a tool – not the surveyor

The latest technology doesn’t automatically mean a better survey.

At DM Hall, we don’t use technology for technology’s sake. Our surveyors use the most appropriate combination of tools for each job.

There are still plenty of situations where a tape measure, sketch and pen are king. A quick hand measurement can often be more efficient than setting up equipment, particularly for smaller alterations or awkward details.

Each technology has its strengths, and knowing when and how to use it is just as important as having the equipment.

The core surveying skills developed through experience remain fundamental: understanding buildings, knowing what needs to be measured, checking dimensions and recognising when something doesn’t look right.

Combining experience with technology

Our approach is about combining traditional surveying skills with modern technology.

Laser measures provide speed and accuracy. LiDAR captures complex internal spaces and existing buildings in detail. GNSS allows us to efficiently establish external positions, boundaries and land information.

And sometimes, the best tool remains a tape measure and a notebook.
The real benefit comes from being able to use all of these tools together, selecting the right approach for each survey.

The new Emlid RX2, alongside our MetaRoom LiDAR scanning capability, gives the Architectural Services team a powerful toolkit for capturing information about buildings and land.

Most importantly, technology allows our experienced surveyors to spend less time on repetitive data collection and more time checking, interpreting and applying that information effectively.

From pen and paper to LiDAR and GNSS, the tools have changed. The principles haven’t.

Accurate surveying still starts with experience, attention to detail and understanding what you are looking at. Technology simply gives us better ways of putting those skills to work.

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