Straight & Level: Why a Professional Survey Comes Before Any Renovation
One of the most important decisions you can make.
At LH, we like our work to be straight and level.
“Measure twice - Cut once”
Whether you're looking to renovate your property or prepare a unit for tenants, a thorough site survey shows you what you're really dealing with. LH is one of HK’s Big-3 Design & Built Integrated Operations firms, specialising in detecting water leaks and seepage, non-compliance, structural issues and unauthorised structures. We also use what we find to improve your space: more light, more room, higher ceilings, better water pressure and lower maintenance.
The Site Survey Service
1A. Professional on-site survey. A team of 2-3 (designer and project manager) visits your property. You receive a professionally crafted, scaled floor plan in digital and paper form, to industry standard and usable by any firm.
1B. Official building records. We obtain BD records and drawings for drainage, structural walls and compliance checks.
Survey fee: starts at HKD 1,775 for properties under 1,000 sq ft. For larger properties or higher building constraints, we'll quote a fee based on size and scope. This fee will be credited in full toward your renovation contract if you go ahead with LH.
What you receive
- 20 years of build experience, with design recommendations based on the survey
- Preliminary drawings and design, usable by any firm
- A detailed itemised quote with a technical information package
- Official BD drawings and records for your property
- A full CAD/3D drawing set for costing and further works
- Infrared and digital moisture testing, plus a water-leak test
- Drainage and pressure testing
If the survey finds no issues with stability, structure, wiring or leakage, we can often propose a cost-saving hybrid (Category B) renovation that keeps sound existing elements and focuses your budget where it matters.
Using the survey as a negotiating tool
The survey often support a lower purchase price and give you solid grounds for serious negotiation, E.g. findings on leaks, compliance or structure.
Most of our surveys are straightforward: accurate on-site measurements and a scaled floor plan, in digital and paper form, usable by any firm. For more complex situations, we can provide additional checks,. These are scoped case by case, with additional checks quoted on top of the standard fee. So, please get in touch to discuss details. Below is a comprehensive list.
Floors and interior
- Floor levels are measured by laser.
- Loose tiles can be tested with an impact-test tool.
- Ceiling height is assessed with an internal assessment.
- Walls are checked for alignment and set out so you can visualise the space.
Moisture and water
- Infrared and digital moisture testing often reveals water leaks/seepage and mould at this stage. We can trace the source from discolouration/ staining.
- Drainage, gradients, WC waste pipe position and water pressure can be tested.
- If we find problems, our waterproofing services can fix them properly.
Structure and compliance
- Beams and load-bearing walls are identified and compared against official Buildings Department (BD) plans, so you know which walls can be removed.
- Structural cracks and spalling are inspected with specialist tools.
- Windows can be checked for compliance, including the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (MWIS), if needed.
- Rooftops, terraces, external walls and A/C ledges can be checked for non-compliance, leaks, unauthorised works and additional loading.
Services
- Electrical: we may check fuse box (MCB) capacity, compliance and upgrade options, including 3-phase if required to fit Hong Kong's wiring regulations.
- Gas, water heating and A/C: we locate meters, heaters and units, then plan ventilation, pipe routing and efficient A/C placement in the next step.
Site records
We document everything with wide-angle and 360° video and photos of every room, and we gather practical details such as renovation forms, management contacts, working hours and lift dimensions.
An uneven subfloor often causes problems with timber flooring and custom cabinetry, which is why we strongly recommend levelling.
Wiring regulations in HK have been updated, ensure your property is fire & electricity compliant. TEST for Water Seepage
Walls setting out: Visualising the space for our Customers
Levelling floors are highly recommended at LH
Levelling floors are highly recommended at LH
Structural M20 bolt inserted at 20C Baguio Villa for opening rooftop
Structural M20 bolt inserted at 20C Baguio Villa for opening rooftop
We split our teams into design and project management, so one controls aesthetics while the other controls schedule and cost.
Ready to book a survey? Contact us.












