Understanding topographical surveys can be confusing, especially if you have had no experience with them before. But, they are so useful – and necessary – for a variety of people, whether they are needed to locate ‘real’ property boundaries, assess an area or help develop an understanding of a location before development.
With this in mind, we have created a short and simple guide which can introduce you to everything you need to know about topographical surveys without all of the unnecessary jargon. Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you will have greater knowledge about what topographical surveys are, why you might need one and how they are carried out.
What Is A Topographical Survey?
A topographical survey is a detailed drawing of an area of land, including natural and human-made features like buildings, lakes, streams and motorways. They provide a record of what exists in an area at a particular moment in time and are usually commissioned to help with planning developments and construction. What is included in the survey can often vary based on the needs of the client. For example, a 3D survey would have a higher level of detail than a survey commissioned to find the boundary of a property. Each topographical survey can be customised to meet the specific needs of each client and is unique to the area being surveyed.
Why Do You Need One?
So why would you need a topographical survey? There are many reasons why someone may need a topographical survey to be carried out, but most often, it is because a company wants to develop on some land but needs to know more about it. A survey would help a person identify and locate specific features of the area, creating a 3D model from this information and describing the existing layout and the defining characteristics. This is necessary information for a construction or infrastructure project where in-depth knowledge of the location is needed.
Other reasons why someone may need a topographical survey include locating boundaries of the neighbouring property to support disputes and planning applications as well as to ‘record’ these legal boundaries. A person may also require a survey to aid the sale of land, map an area in preparation for improvements or to provide a historical record.
How is A Survey Carried Out?
The resulting drawing from a topographical survey is highly accurate, presented digitally or on paper (depending on the client’s preference) and to the simplistic or extensive detail required. We use sophisticated technology to create 3D representations of the area, but the type of equipment used can vary depending on the needs of the survey and client. Location, environmental conditions and even terrain also need to be taken into account when choosing what equipment to use.
At Red Box Surveys, we have the very latest topographical survey technology available. Still, sometimes even straightforward tools can be useful, such as more traditional instruments like an optical level or even a tape measure. Everything is dependent upon location, survey needs and the necessary level of accuracy and detail.
What To Consider
There are a few things we need to consider when undertaking a topographical survey for you. It helps if you are aware of these things, too, so you know exactly what data is required for your project.
While some factors may change from client to client, the following considerations underline every survey we carry out:
- The survey area: Access to the site, the location of natural and human-made features and features outside the boundary of the survey area all need to be considered. Failing to assess these several things can negatively affect the results. The clearer a client can be about the area they want to be surveyed, the better!
- The level of detail needed: This will affect both the time needed to do the survey and the overall cost of the project. You need to get this right in advance, so make sure you are aware of what detail you need for your project/development before the survey is started. We are more than happy to give you guidance on what level of detail you may need.
- The level of accuracy needed: The level of detail required will dictate the technology and methods used in the survey. The accuracy of the topographical survey depends on your requirements, so this will be discussed with you before the survey is carried out.
- Grid layout and reference points: Most surveys will be conducted using a scale factor of 1, with a northern alignment. Some surveys may require a custom level as a starting point, while others will be conducted using survey levels related to the Ordnance Datum Newlyn. This all depends on the location of the survey and will be discussed before the survey is carried out.
- Future surveys: Some developments/projects may need future survey work, so it is best to know beforehand whether or not your surveyor may need to return to the site. This helps us set up permanent survey markers on and around the site so that they can pick up where they left off and complete an accurate survey.
Check out our website to learn more about topographical surveys and how they can benefit your needs, projects or developments. We also have a list of the many other surveys that we are capable of carrying out, with over 40 years of experience behind us.
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