An as-built survey documents the actual constructed positions, levels and dimensions of a completed building or infrastructure project. In Dubai, as-built surveys are a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Dubai Municipality Completion Certificate and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) needed before handover to end users or registration with DLD.
What is an As-Built Survey?
An as-built survey records what was actually built on site — not what was shown on the original approved drawings. The survey compares the completed structure against the approved permit drawings and highlights any variations. The output is a set of as-built drawings showing:
- Actual building footprint, floor areas and setbacks
- Finished floor levels (FFL) at all floors
- Roof levels, parapet heights and plant room heights
- Actual plot boundary demarcation
- External works: car parks, landscaping, access roads
- MEP services routing where required
Dubai Municipality As-Built Requirements
DM has specific requirements that must be met for an as-built survey to be accepted:
| Requirement | DM Standard |
|---|---|
| Surveyor Licence | Must be DM-registered licensed surveyor |
| Coordinate System | WGS84 / UTM Zone 40N |
| Height Datum | EGM2008 |
| Drawing Format | AutoCAD DWG + stamped PDF |
| Submission Portal | DM e-submission (Ejari/Makani) |
| Certification | Licensed engineer stamp & signature |
Common Reasons for DM As-Built Rejection
Fortress Surveying maintains a 99% first-submission acceptance rate because we know exactly what DM reviewers check. The most common rejection reasons are:
- Wrong coordinate system — not in WGS84 / UTM Zone 40N
- Heights referenced to incorrect datum (not EGM2008)
- Missing DM title block or incorrect format
- Survey done by non-DM-registered surveyor
- Missing comparison table showing variations from permit drawings
- Floor areas calculated differently from approved permit
- Incomplete coverage — missing roof plan or basement levels
As-Built Survey Process at Fortress Surveying
- Obtain approved drawings — we review original DM permit drawings
- Field survey — total station measurement of all completed elements
- CAD drafting — as-built drawings produced to DM format
- Variation check — comparison table prepared
- DM submission — we handle the full e-submission on your behalf
- Correspondence — we respond to any DM reviewer queries
Need an As-Built Survey in Dubai?
Fortress Surveying is DM-registered and handles the full submission process. 99% first-time acceptance rate. Quote in 2 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an as-built survey take in Dubai?
Field survey for a typical residential building takes 1–2 days. Full as-built drawings are delivered within 48–72 hours. DM review typically takes 3–7 working days after submission.
What is the cost of an as-built survey in Dubai?
As-built surveys typically start from AED 2,500 for residential villas, with larger commercial and mixed-use projects quoted on scope. Contact Fortress Surveying for a fixed-price quote within 2 hours.
Can you handle the DM submission on our behalf?
Yes — Fortress Surveying is fully registered on the DM e-submission portal and handles all correspondence with DM reviewers, including responding to queries and resubmissions if needed.