What’s the difference between a Land Surveyor and a Building Surveyor?

Same word, different meanings.

Cadastral (land) surveying is not the same as building surveying

A registered or licensed cadastral surveyor is concerned with interpreting and navigating legal aspects of land ownership and property boundaries. You can read up on that here.

They define, manage and protect the space around us.

• Define: by providing a comprehensive understanding of land, water and the air above it, its surrounds and its environment
• Manage: by interpreting and navigating legal aspects of land ownership
• Protect: by defending developments and projects from impediments

This is very different from what a building surveyor does. Building surveyors – also commonly referred to as certifiers – are focused on the legal issues and building permits associated with planning and construction.

Building surveyors issue demolition permits, inspect work sites, issue occupancy certificates and are generally tasked with understanding the building control process.

One way of thinking of this job is that it is the building surveyor’s role to ensure a building is safe, energy efficient and liveable. They make certain that all legal requirements are adhered to. A single building surveyor will be involved across the construction process, from start to finish, signing off aspects of the building as it is completed.

The term surveying is used with several different professions which can make it very confusing to distinguish between them. Read more about them here.