MB Survey Solutions | Measured Building Surveyor Essex | 3D Laser Scanning | 2D Floor Plans, Elevations and Sections

What Are Floor Plans?

Floor plans are detailed drawings that relate to the building layout. It shows the rooms, spaces, and physical features at one level. These plans are often 2D, though you can get them in 3D, showing the layout of the space taken from above, complete with dimensions, showing the size and location of each element.

These plans are used during construction and design of buildings, where it is essential the construction teams understand the layout of the building. Floor plans show the location of doors, walls, windows, staircases, and other important features, along with the size and shapes of each room.

Are Floor Plans Important?

Floor plans for a building are important, they provide valuable information to construction companies, electricians, and plumbers, among others. The main reasons why floor plans are important includes:

• Design and Planning – Floor plans enable the architect to visualise the layout of the building, ensuring it is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and safe
• Share Ideas – Floor plans are used by contractors, stakeholders, and clients, to share ideas about the space
• Marketing the Property – Floor plans are useful when it comes to marketing the building with a real estate agent, enabling potential buyers to see the layout of the property, understanding how the space is laid out and can be used
• Construction – These plans are vital to the building process, ensuring that the building is built based on the design.

Floor plans are important tools to understand the layout of a building, used for a range of purposes including the design, planning, marketing, and construction of a building.

How to Get the Floor Plan of a Building

If you have not been furnished with floor plans for a building, there are a few things you can do to try and secure the original plans.

Local Council

Your local council building and planning applications department should have the floor plans for buildings in the local area. You can visit their website and look to see if they have the plans. When it comes to the construction of a building, one of the steps would be to obtain planning permission. Part of the planning permission process is to submit a floor plan.

Your local council should have plans dating back twenty years, which are all saved electronically.

Find Estate Agent Information

If you own the building, then chances are you know the agent you dealt with when making your purchase. If you purchased the building recently, it will be relatively easy for the estate agent to confirm if they have the floor plans.

Look at the Deeds or Lease

In some cases you will find a basic floor plan of your building in the title deeds or lease of the property. It's not uncommon, especially with buildings, for the floor plan to be included in the deed or lease.

You can also try HM Land Registry. Visit their website which may have some useful information. Often this service only provides boundaries, rather than the internal plans. There in a minimal fee associated with this service.

I Still Cannot Find the Floor Plan of a Building

There are time where you cannot locate the floor plans of a building, then the only option is to measure yourself, or have new floor plans drawn up. Measuring a building can be overwhelming if you are unsure what to do, as accuracy is essential.

If you want accurate and high quality floor plans for your building to carry out an extension or renovation, then it is important to hire a specialist that has experience measuring and drawing up your floor plans.