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Heritage Building Surveys: Why Specialist Expertise Matters For Conservation Projects

March 17, 2026 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning, BIM

When a building has stood for centuries, every measurement matters. Whether you are planning a sensitive restoration, applying for listed building consent, or preparing a conservation management plan, a heritage building survey is not simply a technical exercise – it is the foundation upon which the entire project depends. At…

How Accurate Are Point Cloud Surveys? Understanding Precision In 3D Laser Scanning

February 27, 2026 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning

When commissioning a survey for your construction, renovation, or infrastructure project, accuracy isn’t just a technical specification – it’s fundamental to project success. Inaccurate survey data can lead to design errors, on-site clashes, costly remedial work, and project delays. So how accurate are point cloud surveys, and what should you…

Flood Plain and River Surveys

December 11, 2025 Peter Merrett Coastal Surveys, Topographical Surveys

At Merrett Survey, we provide river and floodplain mapping surveys. We use the latest technology including LiDAR airborne and LiDAR terrestrial, drone based aerial mapping as well as mapping on the ground using total stations and GPS. In the image above, an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) is being used to…

Topographic Surveys: Benefits, Costs and the Survey Process

November 19, 2025 Peter Merrett Topographical Surveys

Topographical surveys, also referred to as topographic surveys, are fundamental for the successful development of any site. These surveys provide developers, architects, and engineers with a detailed, accurate understanding of the land before any construction begins. By gaining an in-depth view of the site early on, developers can reduce future…

The Benefits of Cloud Point Surveys in Construction Projects

September 30, 2025 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning

Laser scanning, both mobile and terrestrial as well as drone surveys are transforming the construction industry by offering unprecedented accuracy, efficiency, and insight throughout project lifecycles. From planning and execution to monitoring and reporting, this cutting-edge technology enables construction teams to minimise errors, reduce costs, and streamline workflows. New to…

Measured Building Surveys: A Complete Guide

May 16, 2025 Peter Merrett Measured Building Surveys

If you are planning a construction, renovation or conservation project, a measured building survey is almost always the sensible first step. It gives architects, engineers, developers and contractors a precise, trusted record of a building’s dimensions and features before work begins, and that record becomes the foundation for confident design…

Aerial Surveys For Mining & Quarrying

November 12, 2024 Peter Merrett General

As professionals in the surveying industry, we understand the pivotal role of aerial surveys for mining and quarrying. The utilisation of aerial technologies and methodologies has revolutionised how we approach data collection and analysis. By harnessing the power of UAV drones and LiDAR systems, we have unlocked a new level…

Is A Drone Survey Accurate?

October 18, 2024 Peter Merrett Drone Surveys

Can a drone survey be accurate, the short answer is YES! But the accuracy of a drone survey is dependent on a number of factors including the amount of overlap between photos, the flight speed, the resolution of the camera and the type of lens used. What do we mean…

BIM Surveys: Driving Forces for Sustainability

September 9, 2024 Peter Merrett BIM

In an era that is experiencing high degrees of climate change, global warming and daunting environmental concerns, BIM surveys are an important surveying tool that can accurately calculate the required quantities of materials and equipment needed for a project, restraining over-ordering and nonessential waste. Limiting the harmful impacts of climate…

The Latest Developments In Laser Scanning

August 20, 2024 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning

Utilising laser scanning technologies with diverse sets of functions is pivotal for optimising workflows, creating opportunities to improve efficiency and reducing overall costs. Therefore, choosing the right technologies with the best sets of functions is crucial in geomatics. At Merrett Survey, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the…

Laser Scanning and BIM Surveys for the Construction Industry

July 15, 2024 Peter Merrett BIM, Laser Scanning, Projects

Merrett Survey complete laser scanning and BIM surveys within the construction industry using the latest technology, employing terrestrial laser scanning, photogrammetry and drones. From these rich datasets, we create highly accurate 3D BIM models. BIM is ultimately the capture and maintenance of building information that is to be shared across…

The Role of Power Line Surveys in Ensuring Reliable Electricity Distribution

June 10, 2024 Peter Merrett General

Merrett Survey’s substation and transmission power line surveys aid service providers in ensuring the reliable distribution of electricity to end users. We provide both ground based laser scanning and aerial mapping surveys for all utilities, including LiDAR UAS or helicopter based powerline inspection and mapping surveys. Vegetation Infringement A powerline…

7 Fascinating Facts About Laser Scanning

May 30, 2024 Peter Merrett BIM, Laser Scanning, Technology, Topographical Surveys

The revolution of laser scanning has transformed the way that we capture and analyse data, with the advanced technology producing point clouds that have unparalleled accuracy. This invaluable tool has meant that key industries, such as surveying, can save time and costs, enhancing productivity methods and project effectiveness overall. At…

How Is Airborne Lidar Used Within Coastal Zone Surveys?

February 1, 2024 Peter Merrett Airborne Lidar, Coastal Surveys

At Merrett Survey, we specialise in providing our clients with expert coastal and marine hydrographic surveys. Located in the beautiful South West, we are fortunate to have undertaken many projects along picturesque coastlines, applying airborne lidar across the majority for optimum results. This technology is key to maximise the accuracy…

Topographical Surveys For Engineers

January 24, 2024 Peter Merrett Topographical Surveys

Topographical surveys are fundamental procedures to undertake before any area of work commences upon an area of land. Within the engineering sector, it is important that all individuals show compliance and adhere to the rules and regulations, in order to accurately execute their project safely and securely. They also aid…

Everything You Need To Know About Drone Surveys

January 15, 2024 Peter Merrett Drone Surveys, Technology

Lidar and Drone surveying are highly accurate methods that can effectively map all types of environment, across a wide variety of projects. Their impressive ability to capture highly-technical data is down to their intelligent downward-facing sensors and advanced GPS system, resulting in the capture of crucial aerial survey data. This…

What Is A Utility Survey and Why Are They So Important?

December 20, 2023 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning

Utility surveys help engineers and architects to understand the location and depth, when underground, of utility services before and during development of a site. From transmission lines that produce electricity to power stations, pipeline distribution routes for oil and gas networks and water distribution pipelines, our surveyors are highly experienced…

What Is Scan To BIM Within Surveying?

November 14, 2023 Peter Merrett BIM, Laser Scanning

At Merrett Survey, we use the most advanced and up-to-date technology in order to conduct comprehensive and informative surveys for all of our clients. A fundamental method we use is laser scanning, otherwise known as Lidar, where we use a 3D laser scanner to capture the imagery of the site…

The Advantages of Using Aerial Surveys for Land Development

April 28, 2023 Peter Merrett General, Laser Scanning, Technology

Aerial surveys are an important tool for land development projects and are growing in popularity. They are primarily used when conducting topographical surveys in locations that are hard to reach by foot or require a birds eye view, meaning that they can provide a detailed overview of the land and…

An In-Depth Guide To Topographical Surveys

March 2, 2023 Peter Merrett Topographical Surveys

At Merrett Survey, topographical surveys are an imperative part of land surveying services we offer, across the UK and internationally. We create topographical surveys for our clients that cover a huge variety of project types, from survey work to upgrade Highway One from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh (Cambodia…

What Are Mining Surveys & How Are They Performed?

February 9, 2023 Peter Merrett Mining Survey

As an established team of mining surveyors in the UK, who have worked on mine sites all over the world, we understand how valuable they can be to the success and profit of a mining operation, above or below ground. Learn here how these services are conducted using modern surveying…

What is LiDAR & How Is It Used By Surveyors?

February 8, 2023 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning, Topographical Surveys

Our technically advanced surveyors rely on LiDAR to ensure that they are able to gather important data, revolving around  the shape and structure of the Earth’s surface. It is a hugely popular remote sensing method, consisting of numerous laser beams that use advanced light technology to detect the precise measurements…

A Look At Our Coastal Topographical And Bathymetric Survey Services

June 10, 2022 Peter Merrett Projects, Technology

We have had a lot of marine and coastal work lately. Is it because the UK’s overseas trade is increasing? Is it that we have managed to promote our skills in the coastal & marine sector in providing topographical and bathymetric surveys to more people? Is it that the marine…

The 2022 UKIFDA Report: Future Fuels & How Land Surveyors Are Involved

May 24, 2022 Peter Merrett Events, Technology

The annual UKFIDA Expo is always an important event for fuel distributors, depot managers, and anyone else with a connection to the fuel industry. To make contacts in this field and share Merrett Survey’s expertise in applying the latest techniques in storage tank & land surveying, Peter Merrett of Merrett…

Our Dimensional Building Survey Services Explained

November 5, 2021 Peter Merrett General, Technology

Our distinguished team of dimensional building survey specialists have been carrying out important assessments for over four decades. We have carried out all types of measured building surveys in that period, playing our part in the development of commercial projects all over the UK and various countries across different continents.…

Watch – Storage Tank Surveys Video For Tank Storage Association 2021

October 22, 2021 Peter Merrett Events

On 23rd September 2021, members of the Merrett Survey team attended the 2021 Tank Storage Association conference in Coventry, UK. After the cancellation of the 2020 event, it was refreshing to meet people in person again. During the event, we highlighted the specialist storage tank survey services that we provide…

How Important Is Technology For Companies Recovering From Covid-19?

November 3, 2020 Peter Merrett Technology

The impact of the coronavirus has been felt across the vast majority of industries and, as organisations look to mitigate the effects, we look at how important technology is in the recovery process. Technology and automation has played a vital role in the advancement of most sectors over the last…

4 Key Ways Digital has Transformed Construction Surveys

May 7, 2020 Peter Merrett Technology, Laser Scanning

There have been some marked improvements in construction surveys over the last decade, with new technologies being introduced and operations running much smoother as a consequence. In this article, we look at some of the technologies – such as building information modelling – that have made such developments possible and…

Merrett Survey Recognised for Nigeria – Cameroon Border Survey Work

December 10, 2019 Peter Merrett Border & Boundary Surveys

Merrett Survey is proud to have featured in ‘Ground Truth’, an article written by Jen Banbury and published by Atlas Obscura. We’ve featured in the article and gained recognition, following boundary surveying work carried out on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Our border survey contribution, which was carried out…

Peter Merrett Attends Tank Storage Association Conference in Coventry

October 22, 2019 Peter Merrett General, Events

On 24th September, Peter Merrett, owner of Merrett Survey Limited attended the annual Tank Storage Association conference in Coventry. In this article, we document Peter’s thoughts on the event and give a wider insight into the work Merrett Survey Limited carries out, with regards to storage tank surveys and the…

The Advantages Of A Laser Scanning Survey To The Construction Industry

September 23, 2019 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning

To say that time is money might be a cliché, but it is especially true in the construction industry. A laser scanning survey provides numerous benefits to the construction process and can improve efficiency and accuracy. Modern laser scanners can survey in the region of 1 million points per second,…

Measuring Deformations with Laser Scanning – Storage Tank Surveys

August 22, 2019 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning, Technology

The main advantage of laser scanning when carrying out storage tank surveys is that it facilitates a comprehensive analysis of the tank in question. Instead of measuring a limited number of pre-defined points, the whole surface of the storage tank can be analysed. Scanning allows us to monitor the entire…

Talking Geomatics at the 2019 GEO Business Conference

June 18, 2019 Peter Merrett General, Events

Last month, Merrett Survey representatives attended the 2019 GEO Business Conference, to network with other industry experts and to investigate all things geomatics. The sixth instalment of the GEO Business event was held on May 21st and 22nd, and we’ve seen improvements in its benefits year-on-year. In this article, we…

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