When designing or planning a building, the role of land surveys can’t be overlooked. They provide accurate information about a piece of land, including its boundaries, features, and condition. Builders, architects, and property owners can use these analytics or data to make the right decisions before starting any work. It is more important in areas like Essex where soil conditions are complex and you need approval to construct a building.
Land surveys are of different types, and each is used for a specific purpose. For example, boundary surveys show the exact edges of a property, topographical surveys map the land’s features like slopes and trees, and hiring as-built survey services helps you confirm that a building was constructed as planned. Some surveys, like point cloud surveys, use advanced technology to create very detailed 3D images of a site.
Best Survey Types for Each Build Phase
Choosing the right type of survey is important to ensure that you get the right information for your project and avoid costly mistakes, delays, or even legal issues. Though the selection of the right type of land survey is a difficult task, learning about different surveys and their specific role can help you make the right decision.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand when to use which land survey.
Surveys Needed During Planning
The planning stage is where everything begins. At this point, developers, architects, and engineers need a clear picture of what the site looks like, including the shape of the land, natural features like trees and streams, and any man-made structures already there. A topographical survey is often the best choice here. It gives detailed information about the ground level, slopes, and surface features of the land.
This type of survey helps the team decide where buildings, roads, and drainage systems should go. It also helps them avoid areas that might be difficult or costly to build on, like steep slopes or flood-prone zones. You can use this information to create a design that works with the natural land rather than against it.
Defining Legal Boundaries
Before building starts, it is vital to know where the property begins and ends. At this phase a boundary survey can be an ideal solution. It marks the exact edges of the land, showing clearly what part of the property you own, stopping construction from crossing into a neighbour’s land, which could lead to legal trouble. Moreover, knowing the exact boundaries also helps in placing fences, gates, and walls in the right place.
Boundary surveys are based on old land records, title deeds, and physical signs on the ground. The surveyor checks these carefully to make sure everything lines up.
Starting the Construction Work
Once the design is approved and planning permission is given, the construction work can begin. At this stage, construction staking or setting out surveys can help you transfer the design plans onto the actual land. It shows builders where to dig, pour concrete, or place structures.
Overlooking this important step can increase the risk of building in the wrong place or at the wrong height. At this stage, even a small mistake can be costly and lead to irreparable damage. Therefore, staking surveys are necessary to make sure the design is followed closely, keeping the project on schedule and within budget.
During the Build
As construction continues, it’s important to make sure everything is going to plan. Progress surveys are useful during this phase. These are done at different stages to check that the building matches the original design. They also help track the amount of work completed, which can be useful for payments and project updates.
Another useful technique during the build is point cloud surveying. It involves the use of 3D laser scanning that creates a very accurate digital model of the site. So, it can help you capture fine details quickly, especially in case of large or complex projects.
Post Construction Survey
Once the building is finished, an as-built survey is needed. It shows the exact location of the completed structures and is mostly used to check if the building was constructed as planned and whether it follows the approved drawings. This survey is often needed for final inspections and to close out the project legally.
As-built surveys are also useful for future changes or repairs. They show where pipes, wires, and other systems are located, so they are not damaged by mistake. This saves time and cost in future work.
Key Takeaway
Each survey type has its own purpose and value. For example, topographical surveys in Essex are particularly useful for identifying the natural features and levels of the land while as built surveys are needed after completing the construction. Choosing the wrong one or skipping a step can lead to delays, extra costs, or legal problems. That’s why it’s important to work with a professional surveyor who understands which survey is needed at each stage.
