The Importance of Land Surveys for New Construction
What Is Land Surveying?
Landing surveying is all about making maps to help people solve problems with a piece of land, whether it be a property line, what’s out there, where’s the roadway or flood plain. Land surveying provides a drawing that contains the existing conditions of the area and provides the dimensions of the parcel.
Increase Efficiency with Construction Surveys
Land surveys are a necessary process for new construction projects, especially if there are unknowns. Land surveys assist owners in:
- Determining a project’s feasibility
- Highlighting potential issues
- Identifying boundaries
- Determining topographical layout
- Saving time and money in each phase of construction
Land Surveys for New Construction at Every Step
A new construction survey is necessary before establishing structures on a parcel of land, including roads, utilities, and buildings. This type of survey utilizes both vertical and horizontal grading. Updated records from a land survey are good to have on hand and may be needed at every step of construction.
1. Pre-Construction Survey
A pre-construction survey reviews a property’s existing condition before any construction activities can begin. It is typically a topographical survey that indicates where the boundaries lines and ground contours are.
Pre-construction surveys show exactly where the property lines are, which can help avoid problems with any setback limits. The data the survey provides is mapped and often turned into a Computer-Aided Design, that can be either two- or three-dimensional.
Pre-construction surveys are also essential because they serve as a baseline comparison for follow-up surveys.
2. Construction Survey
A construction survey studies changes in property lines and identifies the location of physical things, like buildings and roads with exactness. The survey shows road topography and grade or determines the appropriate depth for building foundations.
Having a surveyor on site during construction helps contractors build the project per specifications and keeps the project on time and budget.
3. Post-Construction Survey
Post-construction surveys take place after construction is completed and evaluates the new construction. These surveys are also referred to as as-built surveys and some projects/clients require them just make sure the project was built as planned.
The survey compares the property’s condition before construction began to the condition after the project is finished. The goal of a post-construction survey is to detect/report significant changes to a property that, in an engineer’s opinion, are a result of construction and to assess whether the project was completed according to its original specifications.
Site Surveying with F&V
F&V are experts in inspecting areas where work is being proposed. This is what we do every day. We determine precise locations, access, best orientation for the site and the location of obstacles.
Land Surveys
F&V uses a variety of tools and methodologies in land surveying, including:
- 3D laser scanning: 3D laser scanning is the collection of three-dimensional data to create an exact copy of any object. It offers a way to collect millions of data points from any one scan location in a relatively quick manner while being in the field. The data is then uploaded to a computer program that can combine multiple scans to create an exact copy of an area that was scanned. This allows engineers or architects to get real-life dimension of the area they are working on from the office instead of having to go to field.
- Hydrographic surveying: This survey determines the physical features and elevations of an underwater area and is most beneficial in new construction of bridges.
- Topographic surveys: Topographic surveys locate all surfaces features of a property and depict all natural and man-made features and elevations. This 3D map provides a wealth of information regarding the property before new construction begins.
- Expert testimony services: No two surveys are made the same way. But F&V has credible surveying experts that have been called upon to identify, introduce and authenticate new construction documents.
- ALTA/NSPS land title survey: An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is a specialized boundary survey that requires meeting a national standard of what is shown on the survey. This type of survey requires surveyors to show the overall parcel boundary and any recorded easements, public rights-of-way, or any other deletion from the property. The survey also requires surveyors to show all the existing features that are on the property. It gives you piece of mind during property closing.
- Land division surveys: Any time you create a new parcel from an old one, a land division survey is required. It is beneficial in new construction because it identifies new boundary lines and property description for each parcel.
- Construction layout: A surveyor goes on site prior and during construction and provides construction layout and staking showing the contractor where the features that are shown on the plan are at in real life. It is beneficial for new construction because it provides the location and elevations for where the proposed buildings, utilities, roads, or sidewalks are to meet the design requirements on the construction site.
Get Connected with Expert Land Surveyors
F&V land surveyors are experts in collecting measurements and data to identify specific features of a landscape for construction and civil engineering projects. We are industry leaders in collecting data that is used within the planning and construction process, to create site plans and produce reports. Call us today!