What is a Topographical Survey, and why is it required?

A topographical survey, also known as land survey, is the determination of in-depth man-made and natural features in a construction site through scanning process. A topographical survey captures spatial information about a site and its natural and man-made land features. Our professional Plymouth’s topographical surveys can distinguish all features, including physical boundary details, land features and property, in a particular site. Plymouth’s surveyors and technicians deliver precise topographic maps to help architects, engineers, building contractors, and homeowners visualise their site with clarity for any planned development.

A topographical survey is a crucial undertaking for successful outcomes, as it is always lawfully recommended for your project. Receive a topographical survey from our professional and experienced team to have a complete picture of the land you want to develop.

A topographical survey is usually the initial step in the process of developing a site. In the light of this, it is needful that the survey clearly captures the land to enable developers and workers onsite to know exactly what they are working on. The survey is needed for planning purposes, such as new buildings, drainage works, as well as re-positioning of boundaries. Conducting a topographical survey or land survey provides a clear and detailed understanding of the land’s topography, as well as the site’s conditions to help you proceed with construction and design works.

• A topographical survey provides an in-depth and accurate picture of a building or plot of land. This reduces the risks of costly downstream mistakes arising from unforeseen issues. Our laser scanning technology utilises some of the most efficient tools that capture accurate data and measurements.
• The survey enables one to understand the land’s topography in detail. Having a proper knowledge of the land’s topography under and around any building structure is crucial as this will inform your design process to avoid any impacts of the land on your project going forward.
• Our measured surveys provide you with final as-built 2D drawings that help verify that the site was built in substantial conformance with proposed plans.
• Conducting a detailed topographical survey will help avoid delays as well as reduce any potential costs in case objects that can delay a construction work are appear at a later stage of a project development.
• For a purchased land, a topographical survey can reveal any information that might be hidden from plain sight, such as the changes that have occurred on a site over a period of time.
• Through topographical surveys, as-built 2D plans can be produced, indicating all natural features and manmade features with levels.

There are two methods commonly used to complete a topographic survey, namely:

1. Conventional
2. Aerial

• Conventional Survey
  A conventional survey is usually done by land surveyors on the land’s surface using a total station or a survey grade GPS. A surveyor walks throughout the entire site, taking shots at horizontal location and elevation at a specified interval to meet the accuracy requirements of the project.
• Aerial Survey
  An aerial photographic survey is conducted from aerial photos captured from an airplane or helicopter at a certain distance above the ground. The photos are thus viewed together, forming a stereo pair that allows the surveyor to visualise the ground surface. Viewing two overlapping aerial photos to see the ground surface is similar to the way we have depth perception using both eyes. A similar point is viewed from two different vantage points. The brain can thus perceive the relative distance away from our eyes since we cannot perceive depth using only one photo, or only one eye open.

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If you are looking for accurate and reliable topographical survey services across Plymouth, then look no further. Reach out and get a quote!