What Clients Need to Know Before Starting LiDAR Surveys

Thinking about a LiDAR survey for your site? If so, you’ll want to know exactly what’s involved, how to prepare, and what to expect. I’ve worked with clients from every walk of life — developers, engineers, even local councils — and there’s one thing I hear time and again, “I wish I’d known that before we started.” So, let’s chat about what really makes a difference when it comes to LiDAR survey preparation.

Why Getting Ready Matters

Ever wonder why some LiDAR projects tick along nicely, while others seem to hit every speed bump? The truth is, a bit of preparation up front saves a lot of faff and frustration later. I’ve seen brilliant results when clients nail down the details early, but honestly, I’ve also watched projects stall because someone forgot to sort site access or decide how accurate the data needs to be.

You’ll also dodge those sneaky extra costs that pop up when things aren’t clear from the start. No one likes a surprise invoice. And, perhaps most importantly, the data you get at the end will be tailored to your needs, not just a heap of digital points you can’t use.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Get Started

Before you give the green light to any survey team, it pays to ask a few straightforward questions. What are you actually trying to achieve? Do you need centimetre-level precision or is something broader enough? I once worked with a planner who hadn’t thought about this — we spent more time tweaking data after the survey than if we’d talked about it up front.

Next, think about the site itself. Any access headaches, safety hazards, restricted areas? Even something as simple as a locked gate or aggressive geese can hold up the whole thing. Knowing these hurdles in advance means we can plan around them and keep the project moving.

The Role of Ground Control Points — Do You Actually Need Them?

Now, let’s talk ground control points, or GCPs if you’re into the lingo. GCPs anchor your LiDAR data to real world coordinates so you can trust your results. Not every project needs them plastered everywhere, but when accuracy is key, they’re worth their weight in gold.

At Castle Surveys, we handle all the fiddly bits, from working out whether your project needs GCPs to setting them up on site. You won’t need to worry, just tell us about your site and goals — we’ll figure out what’s best for you.

What About Trees, Weather, and Other Site Surprises?

People often overlook how much the environment can play havoc with a LiDAR survey. Tall grass, thick trees, even the British weather can throw a spanner in the works. I remember turning up to a site once after a spring growth spurt — “jungle” might be a bit strong, but not by much. Planning for things like seasonal changes, overgrown sections, or even foggy mornings will give your project a real boost.

And let’s not forget the legal side! If drones are in the mix, you’ll need to think about local flight rules, and sometimes book permissions before sending anything up. All these little factors add up, so keeping an eye on them from day one really matters.

What Will You Actually Get At the End?

Nobody likes getting a survey back only to find it’s in the wrong file format or doesn’t quite line up with the rest of your project. That’s why being clear about your deliverables — whether it’s point clouds, PDFs, CAD drawings, or full 3D models — is so important. If you’re not sure what you need, just ask. We’ve seen it all, and we’re happy to advise.

When we talk through your project, we’ll find out what system you’re using, whether you’re working in Revit, AutoCAD, or something else, and work backwards from there. Trust me, it’s much easier to do this at the start than to try and convert data later.

How Castle Surveys Makes Life Easier

Here’s where having an expert in your corner pays off. At Castle Surveys, we offer down-to-earth advice before anything happens on site. Our pre-survey chats mean we hit the ground running. We sort all the permissions, compliance forms, and planning, and we keep you in the loop every step of the way.

Our team looks after everything from drone survey setup to the very last check of your data. You get peace of mind knowing every stage is covered and the results are ready to slot straight into your project.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

LiDAR surveys can unlock all sorts of insights for your development or project, but the key is knowing what to expect before things get started. If you’re thinking about your next survey, why not give us a call? Speak to Castle Surveys today for help planning your LiDAR project from the ground up — accurate results always start with solid preparation.

And if you want to explore more options, check out our drone surveys, topographic surveys, measured building surveys, and utility mapping surveys for a closer look at what we do.

This post was written by Paul Jackson