LiDAR Topographic Maps for Land Planning
Before you choose a garden, pond, fence line or orchard block, see the actual shape of the ground. This is step one of the Land Journey and the foundation every later plan builds on.
Who it is for
- New landowners trying to understand a property before committing to projects
- Homesteaders deciding where to put gardens, animals and outbuildings
- Farmers and ranchers who want slope and drainage context across every acre
Questions it helps answer
- Where are the ridges, draws and flat benches on my land?
- How steep is the slope where I want to plant or graze?
- Which soils do public surveys map on my parcel, and how do they drain?
- What does the ground look like under tree cover?
What is included
- Bare-earth terrain with contours at any intervalFrom broad lines down to half-foot detail where LiDAR coverage exists.
- Soil types and properties layered onto your terrainDrainage class, erodibility (how easily soil washes away), and infiltration.
- GeoTIFF + GeoJSON deliverablesShapefile / KML / CAD on request.
- Walkabout mobile field linkLive GPS position on your site's 3D model, on any phone in the field — includes 12 months of hosting.
Not included
- Boundary, property-line or legal surveys
- Survey-of-record elevations or certified engineering data
- Utility locating, wetland delineation or permit preparation
Scope, conditions and pricing notes
| Acreage | Fits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 acres | Homestead | $1,200 |
| 11–40 acres | Small farm | $1,800 |
| 41–100 acres | Family farm | $2,800 |
| 101–250 acres | Ranch entry | $4,200 |
| 251–500 acres | Working ranch | $6,000 |
| 501–1,000 acres | Processing ceiling | Apply for a quote |
Check your price
Enter your acreage to find your published band. The next step checks data coverage at your address before anything is charged.
1–10 acres · Homestead
$1,200
How it works
- 1
Size your parcel
Enter acreage on this page to see your published band price, then pin the property address.
- 2
Coverage check
The existing checkout gate confirms elevation and soil data coverage for your location before payment.
- 3
Delivery and session
Receive your map files and private field link, then book the included virtual session to walk through them.
Limitations to know
- Contour interval is a drawing choice, not vertical accuracy. Half-foot contours drawn from 1m LiDAR do not mean the elevations are accurate to six inches.
- LiDAR reflects the ground on the date it was flown. Recent grading, construction or erosion will not appear.
- Soil properties in the United States come from public survey data, which describes typical conditions for mapped units, not samples from your exact site.
Common questions
- Is this the same as a survey?
- No. It is a planning map from public elevation data. Anything that requires a licensed surveyor or engineer still requires one.
- What if my area lacks 1m LiDAR?
- The site check on this page confirms coverage before checkout. Coverage varies by country and region, and the coverage notes below explain what to expect.
EarthDesign is a digital design and visualization platform. Outputs are advisory; site execution, regulatory permits, and licensed professional sign-offs remain the responsibility of the client and their licensed contractors. No warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is made, expressed, or implied.
Read the full Terms of Service & Disclaimers.