Facade measuring is the first step in many projects: new windows and doors, cladding, a renovation or a drawing of the existing conditions. For a facade survey, iMesure measures the facade and every window and door opening by laser, from the street, driveway or garden. Scaffolding or a cherry picker is usually not needed. We then draw it all up ourselves in AutoCAD as a dimensioned facade elevation, delivered as DWG, DXF and PDF. So our experts do both the survey and the drafting.
What do we measure on a facade?
We measure what you need to order, price the work or keep drawing. Usually that means:
- the overall width and height of the facade, up to the roof edge, cornice or ridge;
- the width, height and position of every window and door opening;
- the reveals, with the opening’s depth up to the window frame;
- lintels, the walling below windows and sills, with their height relative to the datum level;
- differences in level, such as a sloping street or stepped sill heights;
- facades out of plumb, and openings out of square or not level.
How do we measure a facade without scaffolding?
With point-to-point measuring from a tripod. We set up a professional Leica laser measuring instrument in front of the facade. From one set-up, we measure the corners of openings, the lintels and the roof edge. The instrument calculates the distance between any two points, even ones nobody can touch. So we measure high points without scaffolding or a cherry picker.
Because we measure points in space, we also see whether a facade is out of plumb or an opening is skewed. We check the squareness of openings with diagonals. The measured points go to the computer digitally, so in AutoCAD we draw on the real points, not on retyped dimensions.
How accurate is a facade survey?
That depends mainly on the distance and the set-up. The further a point is from the instrument, the larger the margin. We therefore place the tripod so the key points are no further away than necessary. We agree in advance which dimensions are critical for you, and we plan the set-up around them.
When do we discuss a facade in advance?
When the facade is very high or hard to reach, or when the instrument cannot see every point. Point-to-point measuring only works with a clear line of sight: the laser must reach each point. Trees, parked cars, scaffolding or lowered roller shutters can hide an opening. In a narrow street, we sometimes cannot stand far enough back. We look at such facades beforehand, using photos or the address.
What do you receive after the survey?
At iMesure, a survey always ends in drafting. We work it up in AutoCAD into a facade elevation to scale, such as 1:50 or 1:100, dimensioned in millimetres and with clear layers. You receive:
- a facade elevation with all openings, lintels and sills in place;
- the dimensions of every opening: width, height and position relative to the datum level;
- a DWG to keep drawing in AutoCAD software;
- a DXF for other CAD programs or CAM software;
- a PDF to read, print or forward.
No AutoCAD? View the DWG in the free DWG TrueView or in Autodesk Viewer. Already have plans, an old building drawing or photos with dimensions? Then we can also draw up the facade without a survey, as drafting on commission. Need floor plans or sections as well? We draw as-built drawings of the existing conditions: drafting for construction, for a renovation, regularisation or permit application. We measure interiors too: see site surveys by experts.
How a facade survey works
- Enquiry: you send the address, photos of the facade, any existing plans and the purpose of the drawing. A quote follows.
- On-site survey: laser survey on a tripod of the facade, openings, heights and reveals, with photos.
- Drafting in AutoCAD: we work up the survey into a facade elevation to scale, with dimensions and layers.
- Delivery: DWG, DXF and PDF, with a survey report. We discuss any changes together.
Need drafting only? Then the process starts with what you supply instead of a survey. Both processes are set out step by step under how we work.
Who do we measure facades for?
- Window and door joiners: the size and position of every opening as the basis for your order and work preparation. More for joiners and interior fitters.
- Facade specialists: the complete facade surface with its openings and differences in level, to draw up and price cladding.
- Contractors and renovation firms: a reliable picture of the existing facade for pricing and execution. More for contractors and facade specialists.
- Architects: an elevation of the existing conditions as the starting point for a design or permit application, drawn to your requirements. See also drafting and surveys for architects.
Service area and enquiries
For surveys, we set out from Lauwe (Menen), close to Kortrijk and the French border. We measure facades in West and East Flanders, Hainaut and northern France; further afield on request. Drafting is done digitally and works anywhere. See our service area.
Send us the address, a few photos of the facade and what the drawing is for. We then work out which set-up is needed and send a quote. Request a facade survey or email info@imesure.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need scaffolding or a cherry picker to measure a facade?
Usually not. With a laser measuring instrument on a tripod, we measure points high up on the facade from the ground: window corners, lintels and the roof edge. The instrument calculates the distances between those points. It does need to be able to see the points. We discuss very high or hard-to-reach facades in advance, based on photos or the address.
Can I order windows and doors from the facade elevation?
Yes, as the basis for an order. For each opening, you can see the width, the height, the reveals and the position relative to the datum level. Fitting clearances, rebates and finishes are for the joiner to decide. If some openings need to be right to within a few millimetres, tell us in advance. We then plan the set-up around them.
Can iMesure draw up a facade without a survey?
Yes. If you have existing plans, an old building drawing, a PDF or photos with dimensions, we draw up the facade in AutoCAD as drafting on commission. Old plans do often differ from reality, though. If you need to order windows or price facade cladding, we recommend an on-site survey to check the dimensions.
What file formats will I receive the facade drawing in?
You receive the facade drawing as DWG, DXF and PDF. DWG is AutoCAD's native format and stays editable, including in AutoCAD LT. DXF opens in other CAD programs and in CAM software. PDF is for reading and printing. Without AutoCAD, you can view the DWG in the free DWG TrueView or in Autodesk Viewer.
Does iMesure also survey property boundaries?
No. Property boundaries, boundary marking and plans for a deed or a subdivision are work for a licensed land surveyor (landmeter-expert), a protected title. We measure the facade and its openings for design, ordering, pricing and installation, and draw them up in AutoCAD as a facade elevation in DWG, DXF and PDF.
How should I prepare for a facade survey?
Make sure we can set up a tripod in front of the facade and that the openings are visible: roller shutters and sun blinds raised, and where possible no cars or skips in front of the facade. If the rear facade needs measuring too, arrange access to the garden or courtyard. Send us photos and any existing plans beforehand.