Topographic Surveys in Construction Projects

Want to avoid construction project delays and budget overruns?

Nearly 98% of construction megaprojects experience delays or cost overruns. Shocking. And the truth is that very few people know the following.

Construction problems can be prevented with the help of land surveying and mapping services.

In short, the topographic survey provides a contractor with a drawing of the work area before any work is done. The report describes all the elements of the work area: hills and depressions, trees, buildings, pavements, and other structures on the land. The utility lines are usually also included in the land surveying report. Such information is necessary for architects and civil engineers to design and plan projects that will work in a given area. Let's understand this in more detail.

Outline

• What Are Topographic Surveys?

• Planning for Construction Projects with Topographic Surveys

• Risks of Skipping Topographic Surveys

• Cost-effective Surveying Options

• Selecting Topographic Surveys

• Bottom line

Let's see…

Before starting to do any serious work, you need to know exactly what you are working with. In land surveying and mapping services, all the necessary information is provided in the form of a topographic survey. Topographic surveys collect information about the land, including natural terrain, and man-made changes.

This may sound obvious to you, but will you start building a house without knowing that there is a slope on your land, which can lead to drainage problems or without finding out if there are underground utilities on your land, which you can destroy?

Nonsense.

Services that need very accurate survey data, such as septic system design in Florida, for example, before the construction of a septic system on the land. Septic system design companies need accurate topographic data to ensure the septic system can be properly located and will function correctly for decades to come. This is how the situation works with every construction project.

Topographic surveys account for 46% of the total market share in surveying and mapping services. That's a big deal. The main reason for this is that topographic surveys are extremely important for every construction project plan.

Here's the thing…

Construction teams run into unexpected slopes. Drainage systems fail. Foundations need to be redesigned in the middle of a project. Budgets blow up.

Errors occur in the following:

Projects face issues like setting up the house too close to property boundaries, encountering unsuitable soil conditions for the intended structure, or even hitting hidden underground utilities as excavation begins. All of this causes delays and extra costly repairs.

Planning errors alone can be enough to derail entire projects. Design errors and inaccurate construction drawings are among the top three causes of construction delays worldwide.

Without accurate survey data from the very beginning, architects are designing blindly. They may come up with plans that look good on paper but are impossible to implement in real life.

Let me show you what can go wrong if projects skip proper topographic surveys.

• Construction teams run into unexpected slopes.

• Drainage systems fail.

• Foundations need to be redesigned in the middle of the project.

• Budgets blow up.

Errors occur in the following:

• Projects face issues like setting up the house too close to property boundaries.

• Encounter unsuitable soil conditions for the intended structure.

• Even hitting hidden underground utilities as excavation begins.

• All of this causes delays and extra costly repairs.

Planning errors alone can be enough to derail entire projects. Design errors and inaccurate construction drawings are among the top three causes of construction delays worldwide.

Without accurate survey data from the very beginning, architects are designing blindly. They may come up with plans that look good on paper but are impossible to implement in real life.

So how do topographic surveys help to protect your project?

They provide critical information that includes the following.

• Exact elevations and contours of the land.

• Locations of existing structures and utilities.

• Natural features like trees, water bodies, and rock formations.

• Drainage patterns and potential flood zones.

This data is provided in AutoCAD drawings and 3D models that architects and engineers can actually use. With this information, they will be able to develop and use design plans that take into account the features of the site.

For example, knowing the exact slope of the land will help engineers design the right drainage systems. This will prevent the accumulation of water around the foundation or the flooding of neighboring territories.

Pretty important things, right?

It is important to understand that not all types of surveys are used for all projects. The choice of method depends on the specific project requirements.

Ground-based surveys work with traditional instruments such as total stations and GPS systems. They are reliable, affordable and work well for most urban construction projects. The ground-based survey has 62% of the market share, as this method works well for most standard applications.

Aerial surveys work with drones and cover large areas in a short time. This is the best option for large development projects, highways or plots of land that are difficult to access on foot.

3D laser scanning is used to create a highly detailed digital model of existing structures. This technology is best used when you are working on the renovation of historic buildings or in complex urban environments where precision is important.

The choice of survey method depends on the size of the site, the complexity of the terrain, the project requirements. A small residential plot is surveyed differently than a 50-acre commercial development.

Here's what to do …

Start your topographic survey in the very first planning stages. Do not wait until you have already invested in architectural design costs. Have the survey done first so that your architect can design with accurate data from the land from day one.

Work with experienced surveyors who understand the type of project you are implementing. A surveyor who only does residential work may not be the best choice for a large infrastructure project.

Make sure your survey covers everything your team will need. Not just elevations and boundaries but also:

• Underground utilities

• Trees and other vegetation that may need to be removed

• Access points and existing roads

• Nearby structures that may impact your design

The small investment of a comprehensive survey pays off in a big way. Thus, you will avoid expensive surprises during construction.

Remember the following:

Your survey data becomes the basis for all subsequent decisions. Architects use it to design buildings. Engineers use it to plan drainage and utilities. Contractors use it to calculate the cost of work.

Topographic surveys are not an optional add-on. It is an extremely important tool that distinguishes successful construction projects from those that end in disaster.

The benefits are obvious.

You will have accurate information for design decisions. The team will be able to identify problems before the construction begins. The project will not be delayed and will not blow up the budget.

The construction industry continues to grow, with construction spending in the United States of America expected to reach $366.2 billion by 2027. Construction projects in the 3D mapping and land surveying services market are expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030, due to the real estate boom and infrastructure development. However, the companies that will benefit the most from this growth are those that start their work with solid foundations, and this means a topographic survey.

Do you want your project to be a success story? Start with a detailed topographic survey. It is the best investment that you can make before starting work.

Professional land surveying and mapping services will provide you with the data you need to make informed decisions. The company will help you avoid the problems that so many construction projects experience. And will help you prepare your entire project for success from day one.

Don't miss this critical step. This will affect your budget, deadline and your peace of mind.