On most development or construction projects, the groundwork has been done before the first shovel is ever thrown before the ground a task performed by land surveyors. Accurate survey data helps to inform every subsequent decision from confirming property boundaries to mapping out the contours of a site and beyond, including design, budget and approval timelines. This is one of the most common reasons projects get held up and causes disputes further down the line, long after initial decisions were made that are causing the project to go over budget and behind schedule.
Types of Surveys Land Surveyors Carry Out
Land surveyors provide a variety of services that can be used throughout the stages and types of projects. Cadastral Surveys are conducted to define accurate property lines, help with land divisions, easements, and land use transactions where clear property lines are important. Contour and detail surveys record the current form and characteristics of a site, and serve as the basic information for design and planning. Construction surveys aid in the construction process, and the accuracy of setting out and construction in accordance with approved plans. Surveyors also provide increasingly drone surveying and UAV surveying, and 3D modelling and laser scanning, providing project teams with an even more detailed image of a site than traditional surveying methods could provide. For some projects, subsurface utility investigation is also recommended to help ensure that there are no underground services which might otherwise become a problem when excavating. The type of the survey to be used is depend on the stage, scale and complexity of the project.
How Modern Survey Technology Improves Accuracy
Today’s tools used by a land surveyor are quite different to the traditional land surveying tools and are much faster and more accurate. Drone-based aerial mapping can capture large and difficult to access sites in a time-efficient way, whilst automated robotic setout technology can mark out construction points with greater consistency. GPS machine control can then be used in the construction phase itself to operate heavy machinery with focal point spatial data, in addition to operators’ judgment. The toolkit is complete with subsurface utility investigation, which can help locate points of underground infrastructure prior to beginning excavation, avoiding expensive damage or unforeseen delays. These technologies, combined, enable land surveyors to provide more accurate information on increasingly complicated sites.
Benefits of Getting Survey Work Right From the Start
Hiring professional land surveyors early on in a project can be beneficial throughout the project. Correct boundary and contour information minimises the possibility of re-design or litigation occurring due to incorrect assumptions about a site. Information from surveys is also helpful to ensure that the process of approvals runs more smoothly as councils and certifying authorities need accurate information to provide advice on compliance. Construction: As the project progresses, input from surveys can help ensure that the work is completed on track, and that it is being done in accordance with the approved plans. During construction, the continued input from surveys can help to ensure that the project is progressing smoothly and that the work is being carried out according to the approved plans. On bigger or more complex projects, this type of verification can be especially beneficial, as any minor errors can escalate into larger problems down the line. Whether you are a developer, builder or property owner, putting the time and money into the quality land surveying work will ultimately save you money, time and the value of the completed project.
