Laying out a villa: 5 things you need to know!

Layout is the first operation carried out on the land when building a detached villa, once planning permission has been obtained. This essential operation positions your villa on the plot. It's not a risk-free operation, however: a mistake in layout can have serious consequences if the villa ends up on the neighbor's land, even if only a small part of it. What does setting out involve? What do you need to pay attention to? We answer all your questions in this article.

Who to contact

This operation is carried out by a topographical surveyor. This professional will ensure the validity of property boundaries, ownership documents and the equipment used to achieve the required accuracy.

The rules of the art when it comes to layout are to have a layout drawing validated (a document enabling the topographical surveyor and his customer to agree on the details of the layout points), and then to carry out the physical operation on site by marking out the points.

Documents you will be asked to provide

First of all, check that you have all the necessary documents. As part of a layout service, the following documents will be requested by your topographical surveyor:

• Copy of CIN
• Certificate of ownership
• Cadastral map
• Capacity calculation
• Foundation plan in digital DWG or DXF format

A two-stage operation

Reinstatement of land title markers

Once the cadastral data documents have been analyzed (calculation of land area, cadastral plan, file of neighboring titles, ....), the surveyor can set a date for a field mission. During this mission, it is advisable to be present with the company that will be carrying out the work.

He will set up temporary markers (stakes) to show where your land ends, and check that there is no encroachment by a neighbor on your land. The surveyor will draw up a certificate of re-establishment of the boundary markers, which will be submitted to you at the end of this first mission.

Foundation layout

On the basis of the foundation plans, the house and pool will then be laid out using strings and stakes to mark each boundary. Walls and foundations will be marked on the ground to facilitate the work of the digger.

At the end of the operation, the topographical surveyor will issue you with a layout certificate as proof of the work carried out.

How can I check the layout?

At the end of his mission, the topographical surveyor proceeds to the control by the measurement of the distances in contradictory with the company which will carry out the project, by the conventional method using a decameter. Your presence is also required.

At this stage, you compare the distances on the plan drawn up by the architect with those measured on the ground between the implanted points, and the difference between the two distances must not exceed the tolerances.

How much does it cost to build a villa?

The cost of a layout operation depends on the configuration of the site, the space required, existing documents, foundation plans, etc.

A number of other factors can also have an impact on the amount of the fee:

• surveyor's fees: this professional sets his rates according to a fee guide;
• travel expenses, if far from the project;
• project size: the larger the project, the longer the time spent in the field. On the other hand, a large project also implies more details to be implemented;
• the complexity of the operation: it may be complicated by a sloping site or a lack of documentation, which also lengthens the operation and therefore its cost.

Contact us with the documents in your possession, and we'll be able to tell you the estimated budget for this operation.

Need a topographical surveyor? Then welcome to HEXAGON GEOSURVEYS for your topographic plans, land delimitation, plot division, house layout or architectural survey.

Would you like an appointment, a quote or advice? Write to us and we'll be happy to advise you: (+212) 6 60 41 02 18 Monday to Friday.