When you are planning on developing land and starting construction, you need to have an understanding of the area you are working on. A topographical survey ensures the design team has sufficient information to design an appropriate building on the site. You can’t eliminate all site negatives with a topographical survey, but it is a necessary starting point for the whole design process. You don’t want natural or human-made structures to become an issue halfway through development and cause a headache for everyone on the team. Nor do you want to have a finished apartment complex with windows facing directly at another building or always away from the sun, making it harder to entice customers to rent or purchase the property. You want the best development possible, and the easiest way to ensure this is through a topographical survey.
You probably will have heard of a topographical survey before, but here at Red Box Surveys, they are more in-depth and customisable than you may think. A topographical survey is a three-dimensional drawing which showcases information about property and land, illustrating natural and human-made features in an area, such as the contours of the earth and the elevation of property features – but there is much more to them than just this.
Keep reading to learn more about topographical surveys, what they are, and why you would benefit from having one before developing land.
What is a Topographical Survey?
A topographical survey is a land survey which presents an accurate representation of an area. This can be as large or as small as the client requires and highlights the natural and human-made features within this area in three-dimensional points. Property and land features, as well as physical boundary details, are presented in the scaled drawing, using the latest technology to provide the most accurate representation. Such features can include streams, lakes, buildings, and motorways, and they can help people understand the location before carrying out construction.
Not every topographical survey is the same. Customisable scanning ensures the needs of every client are met based on your specifications and the level of survey detail you require. You can add or remove features based on what your company needs to know before any development on the land takes place. A topographical survey is also provided in both drawn and digital forms and can be delivered to you in a variety of formats.
What Are They Used For?
A topographical survey is fantastic and provides many benefits for our clients. They can help you visualise the land you want to develop, using contours, spot levels and feature lines to define the land and boundaries of the area of interest. This can make it easier for you to find the most favourable location for development. A topographical survey can be carried out across a large area to identify one smaller, preferable area of land. A topographical survey can even factor in the location and layout of neighbouring buildings and provide you with the best layout for your development regarding cardinal points like gardens and south-facing windows. Utilising a survey for this helps you to avoid pitfalls and complications further down the line of construction.
For certain developments, you might even benefit from knowing site-specific aspects of the ground, such as the soil type. A topographical survey can also provide you with this information, as well as volume calculations for excavations and drainage needs, to help ensure you are satisfied and stress-free for the rest of the development. By understanding the range of information provided by a topographical survey, you can guarantee the reliability and durability of your development by laying down the foundations on which the rest of the project is built. Without a topographical survey, it can be much harder to ensure the success of your development, whether the project is large or small.
Partner with Red Box Surveys
At Red Box Surveys, all of our topographical survey teams have a wealth of knowledge and experience behind them. They understand the value of having a topographical survey before construction begins and ensure a top-quality service is provided from the first contact until the survey is completed. We also know that every client will have different topographical needs, and our team will work with you to ensure that you are given a bespoke service to provide you with the survey you require on time and within budget.
We don’t try to squeeze you into a ‘one-size-fits-all’ topographical survey. You are involved in the process from the very start until the end, telling us what your exact needs are. Even if you don’t know what details should be included in your survey, we can help advise you on what to include to best support your development or construction.
With over 40 years of surveying experience, we are confident that we will provide you with a high-quality and worry-free service. We use the latest technology to ensure high precision, reliable and cost-effective surveys every time. Check out our website today to learn more about topographical surveys and how we can help you. Perhaps there is another type of survey you are interested in? Take a look at our website for the full list of surveys we are able to offer, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
