Land surveying that builders, developers and property owners can rely on.
Subdivision | Resource Consents | Building Set-outs | Boundary, Title & Topographic Surveys
We show up when we say we will, explain what’s happening and stick around until your project is finished.
Our work is accurate, timely and will meet your requirements.
Land surveying that builders, developers and property owners can rely on.
Subdivision | Resource Consents | Building Set-outs | Boundary, Title & Topographic Surveys
We show up when we say we will, explain what’s happening and stick around until your project is finished.
Our work is accurate, timely and will meet your requirements.
“Access have become a trusted part of our process.
Reliable, approachable and easy to deal with.”
— Jesse de Wys, JD Homes Ltd
Trusted across Canterbury and West Coast for 25 years
Founded in 2000, Access Land Surveying is a Christchurch-based surveying firm with a small, highly experienced team.
We work with builders, developers, architects and property owners across Canterbury and the West Coast, delivering accurate surveys, clear advice, and approvals that move projects forward.
You deal with the same people throughout your project. Our team understands how the council assesses applications because we’ve worked there, and we stay involved through to a successful outcome.
What clients value
about working with us
Same people every time
You work with the same surveyors from start to finish. What that means for you is continuity, fewer mistakes and no information lost between stages.
We explain the process
Council steps, timelines and requirements explained in plain English, so you always know what’s happening and why.
Clear, upfront pricing
Itemised, realistic quotes from the outset. Enabling you to understand real costs early, not halfway through the job.
Fast turnaround
We understand that delays cost money. We work efficiently and communicate early if something could affect your timeline.
We understand council
Our council background means we know how applications are assessed and what information is required to avoid unnecessary requests for further information. We aim to get applications approved with minimal hassle and to keep the project moving.
“With Access, we deal with the same small team every time, which keeps things simple and efficient.”
– Michael Cameron,
Metzger Builders Ltd
“They explained the process clearly, laid out timelines and always kept me in the loop.”
– Emily Miazga
“The plan and pricing were clearly explained from the start, which made me confident moving forward.”
– Don Lowden
“They always turn up on time, respond quickly and keep projects moving without delays.”
– Gareth Bayly, Spanbuild
“Their attention to detail ensures everything is in the right place and avoids costly setbacks.”
– Sam Masters
“Their knowledge of council processes saved me from unnecessary costs and delays.”
– Mark Radburnd
How we can help you
Subdivisions
Subdivision projects range from simple two-lot subdivisions through to larger, staged developments.
We guide projects from consent through to new titles by managing the surveying side of the process, coordinating with any external consultants required and working through council conditions so nothing is missed.
Clients value our understanding of how council assesses subdivision applications, and the accuracy of our reports and drawings, which helps prevent rework and avoidable delays later in the process.
Unit Titles
Unit title developments require careful coordination between survey, legal documentation and council approval.
We provide surveying support for unit title projects, working alongside developers, architects and your lawyers. The result is unit boundaries and common property are clearly defined, compliant and understood by all parties from the outset.
Clear definition early helps reduce ambiguity and delays when it comes time to issue titles.
Site & Topographic Surveys
Site and topographic surveys form the foundation for good design and planning.
We produce accurate surveys showing contours, physical features, services and boundaries and easements. This means your designer and engineer are working from facts, not assumptions.
Clients rely on our accuracy and turnaround speed.
Boundary Marking
Boundary marking involves accurately identifying and marking property boundaries on the ground. By undertaking this work you can be confident knowing exactly where legal boundaries sit before construction, fencing or earthworks begin.
Clear boundary marking helps avoid disputes, protects property rights and gives owners confidence before work starts on site.
Building & Engineering Set-outs
Building and engineering set-outs ensure structures and infrastructure are constructed in the correct position and to the approved design.
We provide precise set-outs for residential and commercial buildings, as well as engineering works such as roading and drainage. This means that your builder can proceed with confidence knowing positions are correct and compliant.
Accuracy at this stage is critical. Small errors can lead to delays, rework or compliance issues, so we take care to get it right the first time.
Building Location Certificates
Building location certificates confirm that buildings under construction comply with approved plans and council requirements.
We carry out the necessary surveys and certification efficiently, helping projects move through final approvals without unnecessary delays.
Cross-lease Updates & Conversions
Cross-lease titles can create issues when buildings no longer match the legal documents. This can cause problems when buying and selling. Sometimes owners want to simplify ownership structures and will convert cross-leases to fee simple titles. This can increase the value of the property.
We assist with updating existing cross-leases or converting them to fee simple. We will identify any differences between the building and the cross-lease plan, determine how these can be resolved and undertake the necessary survey to provide an up to date title.
Legalisation Surveys
Legalisation define parcels of land required for public works or for work on Council or Crown land.
Our experience in this field helps the project through what can be a very complex process.
Meet the team
Reuben Vos
Owner / Director
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Registered Professional Surveyor
Reuben founded Access Land Surveying in 2000 after nearly a decade at Christchurch City Council.
He is upfront about costs from the start, even when it means losing work to a lower quote, because developers deserve to understand real project costs early, not discover them halfway through.
Carolyn Craik
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Carolyn brings 20 years of cadastral and engineering experience, giving her a practical understanding of how subdivisions work on the ground.
She manages subdivision projects from field survey through to title issuance, including site work, consent documentation and council liaison.
Steve Smith
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Steve brings over 25 years of cadastral surveying experience across Canterbury and Waikato.
He works on subdivisions from design through to title, as well as building set-outs, land transfer surveys and resource consent preparation.
Michelle Fletcher
Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
Michelle brings 30 years of cadastral surveying experience across council, private practice and LINZ.
Having seen both sides of the approval process, she helps prevent requisitions that blow out timelines and explains what’s happening at each stage in plain English.
Lindsay Edwards
Survey Technician
Lindsay supports field surveys and data preparation, assisting the licensed surveyors with on-site work and plan production.
Nicola Gearry
Administrator
Nicola manages accounts, invoicing and client intake after more than 20 years as a Chartered Accountant.
She helps first-time clients understand what they actually need before connecting them with the technical team.
FAQs
1. How long does a subdivision survey usually take?
Every subdivision is slightly different, but most projects follow the same broad stages.
First we prepare the survey plans and supporting documentation for your resource consent application. Once council approves that consent, there are usually several conditions that need to be completed before new titles can be issued.
Those steps can include engineering approvals, service connections, site works and the final land transfer survey.
For a straightforward subdivision, the process often takes 6–12 months from consent to new titles, depending on council processing times and how quickly site works are completed.
Our role is to guide you through each step, explain what’s happening and keep the process moving so there are no unnecessary delays.
2. What does a building set-out actually do?
A building set-out ensures your house or building is positioned exactly where the approved plans say it should be.
Before construction begins, we mark the building location on site so the builder knows the precise position relative to boundaries and council setbacks. This prevents costly mistakes like building too close to a boundary.
Once the building is finished, we can also provide a Building Location Certificate confirming the structure has been built in the correct position and complies with the approved plans.
In simple terms: a set-out makes sure the building goes in the right place the first time.
3. Do I need a surveyor before applying for resource consent?
In most cases, yes.
Subdivision and many land-use projects require accurate survey plans and supporting documentation as part of the resource consent application. Without those, council usually won’t be able to assess the proposal properly.
A surveyor helps by:
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Preparing the survey plans council requires
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Explaining the consent process and likely timeframes
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Coordinating with planners or engineers if needed
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Managing the survey stages that happen after consent is granted
Getting a surveyor involved early usually saves time and prevents issues later in the process.
4. How much does a subdivision survey cost?
The cost depends on the size and complexity of the project. Things like the number of lots, site conditions, council requirements and engineering work can all affect the price.
For a straightforward residential subdivision, surveying fees are usually only one part of the overall development cost. Our quotes are itemised and based on the actual work required so you know upfront what’s included.
If something unexpected comes up during the project, we’ll explain it first before any additional work is done. No surprise invoices halfway through the job.
5. What is a topographic survey and when do I need one?
A topographic survey records the physical features of a site and their exact position relative to boundaries.
This can include:
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Buildings
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Ground levels and contours
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Trees and vegetation
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Services such as drainage and power
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Roads, fences and other structures
Architects, engineers and planners often require a topographic survey before they can begin designing a building or development. It gives them accurate information about the site so plans can be prepared properly from the start.
6. What happens if council asks for more information?
This is normal.
Council planners often come back with Requests for Information (RFIs) during the consent process. They might ask for clarification, additional survey details or small adjustments to the documentation.
Because we regularly work with council processes, we handle those requests directly and provide the information needed to keep the application moving.
In many cases it’s simply a matter of translating what council is actually asking for and responding with the correct information.
7. Can you help if another surveyor started the project?
Yes, in many cases we can step in and help move a project forward.
Sometimes projects stall because timelines slip, communication breaks down or the process becomes confusing. We can review the work that’s already been done, assess where things currently sit with council and advise on the best way to proceed.
Our goal is simply to get the project moving again and help you reach the finish line.
8. Do I need a survey before building a house?
If you’re building near boundaries or developing a new lot, a survey is usually required.
Before construction begins, we carry out a building set-out to ensure the structure is positioned correctly on the site according to the approved plans and council setbacks.
After construction, a Building Location Certificate may also be required to confirm the building has been built in the correct location.
This process helps avoid boundary issues, compliance problems and expensive fixes later.
9. Will surveying delay my project?
Surveying is usually one of the first steps that helps prevent delays later on.
Accurate boundary information, topographic data and building set-outs give architects, engineers and builders the information they need to design and construct correctly.
Where delays can happen is when survey work is left too late or when inaccurate information leads to rework.
We focus on getting the right information early and turning work around quickly so the rest of the project team can keep moving.
10. What happens if something goes wrong during a project?
Projects sometimes encounter unexpected issues. Boundaries can differ from old plans, site conditions can change, or council requirements may shift during the process.
When that happens, our role is to help solve the problem and guide the next step, not just point out the issue.
We explain what’s happened, outline the options and work with the rest of the project team to get things back on track.
Surveying is technical work, but the real value comes from experience and knowing how to deal with challenges when they arise.
Ready to discuss your project?
Whether you’re planning a subdivision, need a building set-out, or want to understand what council will require, we’re happy to talk it through.
Call: 03 335 0329
Email: access@landsurveying.co.nz
1/16 Bernard Street
Addington, Christchurch