Construction Setout Surveys – Sydney, Griffith & Adelaide
Why setout decides your schedule and budget
A setout survey turns approved plans into exact marks on site so every trade builds in the right place, at the right level and inside legal boundaries. Done right, you avoid slab rework, encroachments, utility strikes and inspection delays. With Astra Spatial you get clear marks crews respect, rapid booking, and documentation councils recognise.
What we deliver on every setout
- Title, boundary, easement and overlay checks against current records
- Survey control established and datums verified
- Footprint, wall lines, gridlines and offsets marked
- Levels set for footings, slabs, FFLs and falls
- Service corridors located to prevent strikes and rework
- Setout sketches and licensed certificate aligned to approvals
- Follow-up checks at frame, slab and critical stages
Local requirements we plan for (with real examples)
Sydney LGAs we service
Woollahra. Heritage streetscapes and tight side setbacks. Recent example: terrace extension in Paddington—setout kept façade alignment while maximising an approved 900 mm setback and protecting a mapped fig tree zone.
Mosman. Waterfront setbacks and premium land values demand millimetre accuracy. Recent example: split-level new build—grid and RL control prevented a retaining wall redesign that would have added four weeks and $18k.
Ku-ring-gai. Sloping bush blocks with significant vegetation. We control stepped slabs and mark TPZ no-go areas to keep within consent conditions.
North Sydney. Basements and multi-storey frames. We establish vertical control so steel, form and services follow a single reference—no mid-build relines.
Lane Cove. Mixed infill and KDRs. Early boundary validation avoids on-inspection redesigns.
What Sydney councils expect: Licensed evidence at setout and milestones; sketches that match approved plans/variations; respect for heritage, trees and environmental constraints.
Griffith and the Riverina
High demand, limited local capacity. We prioritise rapid scheduling so programmes don’t idle waiting for pegs.
Regional realities we manage: Broadacre GNSS control over long lines; peri-urban lots with unreliable legacy pegs; durable marks and clear sketches so crews stay productive without daily supervision.
Competitive edge: Where some providers quote in weeks, we quote and book quickly, then stage visits around pours and frame to keep trades moving.
Adelaide councils we cover
Burnside. Hills gradients. We control stepped slabs and retaining walls so site cuts match design RLs.
Unley. Character overlays. Façade and boundary alignment protect streetscape compliance.
Walkerville. Narrow frontages. We protect service corridors and maintain compliant side setbacks.
Adelaide Hills. Irregular, vegetated lots. Access, slope and sight lines planned into control.
Holdfast Bay. Coastal buffers and infrastructure offsets set out precisely to avoid redesign.
What Adelaide councils expect: Licensed survey evidence at milestones; clean records for smooth inspections; careful handling of heritage/coastal overlays.
Where we differ from larger firms
- Responsiveness: fast quoting and scheduling, especially in Griffith/Riverina, where delays are common
- Tech-first accuracy: total stations + GNSS + laser scanning for as-built checks; fewer reworks than “tape-and-eye” methods
- Builder-friendly delivery: clear pegs, boards, and sketches that reduce RFIs on site
- Local focus: LGA/council-specific knowledge baked into each setout and certificate
When to book (and why)
- Before excavation and formwork: prevents earthworks in the wrong place
- After design changes: new drawings can invalidate earlier marks
- Ahead of inspections: certificates ready to prevent deferrals
Most single dwellings are set out within 1–2 days on site. Basements, steep blocks, and multi-storey builds require staged visits. We provide fixed quotes with inclusions listed by milestone.
Costly errors a good setout prevents
- Footings/slabs poured out of position
- Boundary encroachments leading to disputes or demolition
- Service strikes from misplaced corridors
- Lost floor area on premium sites due to “safe guesses”
- Failed inspections and delayed occupancy
Tooling that lifts certainty
- Total stations for tight urban grids
- GNSS control for Riverina and Hills long baselines
- Laser scanning for rapid as-built verification
- Drone imaging for site context and progress records
Who engages and pays
Builders commonly commission setout; owners/developers sometimes prefer to control it. Confirm responsibility in contracts to avoid gaps.
Why Astra Spatial
- Licensed surveyors with deep local knowledge across Sydney LGAs, Griffith/Riverina and Adelaide councils
- Council-ready sketches and certificates that match your approvals
- Fast scheduling where delays are common
- Tech-led accuracy that protects budgets and timelines
- Follow-up checks at key stages so every trade stays on line and level
FAQs
Do I need a setout for extensions/renovations?
Yes—new walls and structural changes require accurate marks for compliance.
What documents do I receive?
Setout sketches showing marked points and a licensed certificate aligned to your plans/consent.
What if plans change after setout?
Book a re-setout. Even small shifts can invalidate previous marks.
Can you bundle services?
Yes—common bundles include boundary re-establishment, as-built/WAE and utility location.
How far ahead should I book?
As early as possible. Griffith/Riverina lead times move quickly; we hold dates once plans are final.
Next steps
Planning a build in Woollahra, Mosman, Ku-ring-gai, North Sydney, or Lane Cove. Need rapid support in Griffith and the Riverina. Building in Burnside, Unley, Walkerville, Adelaide Hills, or Holdfast Bay. Contact Astra Spatial for fast, accurate construction setout with council-ready documentation.