Surveyors are the metaphorical bedrock of the construction process. A construction survey entails measuring and mapping the area – to an extremely accurate degree – where buildings or infrastructure are going to be, or have been, built. Project teams depend on the vertical and horizontal references given by construction surveyors to ensure a project is built according to design specifications and plans. Having the right construction survey company is essential to any project, as without proper surveying, significant and costly rework is bound to happen. Understanding the crucial role of a surveyor is integral to preventing mistakes.
A Different Construction Survey For Every Aspect
Often, surveyors are the first crewmembers to break ground on a worksite. However, even before this happens, surveyors are essential to ensuring a functional worksite for the build. Here are some common construction surveys:
- Topographic survey: This is usually the first step in determining a worksite’s feasibility, before the GC is hired on, and involves the detailed mapping of the features and contours of a piece of land.
- Control surveys: One of the most important jobs for a surveyor is establishing project control. In the preconstruction phase, the surveyor establishes a coordinate for the horizontal point of control and a Benchmark for the vertical point of control, which all other points will be measured relative to.
- Design plan surveys: By collecting detailed information regarding existing site conditions, the survey is essential for verifying the accuracy of any initial surveys or drawings. This is how discrepancies are pinpointed and corrected prior to construction.
- Staking and Layout: When the accuracy of a set of drawings is confirmed, surveyors transfer the design plans onto the construction site. They mark the locations of features such as structures and utilities so crew members know where to build.
- Monitoring and adjustments: Surveyors continue monitoring the ongoing construction process to adjust or re-set as necessary.
- As-Built Surveys: Surveyors record final as-built data upon completion to document the actual elevations and locations of the constructed features. This ensures everything went according to the design. Project stakeholders retain these surveys as a reference for future modifications, maintenance, or expansions.
Stakeholders Calculate Relative and True Elevations
Establishing project control at the outset of a construction project is a key part of surveying. Surveyors set benchmarks and a coordinate basis to offer a relative (or reference) elevation. Although the majority of heavy civil and infrastructure projects typically include control points in their plans, sometimes project specific control is not included. When this happens, a surveyor may be required to certify or verify the benchmarks and determine the true, or actual, elevation.
Relative elevations rather than true elevation are often used for simplicity. The finished floor elevation on a building’s plan set may be denoted as zero, for example, with all points above it marked as positive, and points below marked as negative – simplifying calculations.
Contact Us Today
All construction projects begin with a construction survey. Choosing the right construction survey company will save you thousands – or even millions – down the line. Call CORE Action Group to learn more and speak with an experienced surveyor today.