Before breaking ground on your next project, imagine having a precise blueprint of what lies beneath and around your construction site. With the right construction surveying technology, you can.
Here are 8 construction site survey tips that can improve your process and keep your team efficient and safe on the job.
1. Invest In Precision Equipment
Precision is non-negotiable, and you need tools that make it easy to take accurate measurements. For example, Trimble’s site positioning systems, including the Trimble SPS930 total station, can collect data with extreme precision for tasks like:
- Stakeouts: Use a total station for efficient stakeout of reference points, utilities, and other structures.
- Topographic mapping: Map horizontal and vertical positions with high precision.
- Remote monitoring: Monitor progress on a job site to determine whether a project is on schedule or behind.
- Site layouts: Easily layout building corners, column locations, and other structures to ensure they align with site plans.
2. Create an In-Depth Surveying Plan
Before sending crews to survey a job site, create a schedule that accounts for the site size and data requirements. This thorough plan might include necessary surveying equipment, project scope and objectives, a quality assurance and control process, and more.
You may need a separate surveying playbook for each project that accounts for unique variables; intentional pre-planning at the project level can keep teams on track and make multi-step processes much easier to follow.
3. Select the Right Equipment
At SITECH Horizon, we can help you assemble a survey kit you need for the job that may include technology like:
- GPS receivers
- Drones
- Digital levels
- Total stations
- Tripods
- Prisms
Aside from your surveying hardware and software, don’t forget to pack protective gear and other specialized equipment. For some jobs, you may also need tools like rakes, shovels, shears, or loppers to aid in clearing a surveying path.
4. Verify and Calibrate Equipment
Before sending surveyors into the field, ensure equipment is tested and ready to go. Proper calibration also ensures the data collected is reliable.
Keep records of calibration intervals for every equipment type and educate surveyors so they know when and how to calibrate each piece of equipment according to manufacturer specifications.
Tip: If you need guidance on calibrating or using various construction technologies, consider an on-site or in-person training session offered by SITECH Horizon. We also offer various professional services to help you process, visualize, and use these models for machine control systems.
5. Consider Safety, Weather Conditions, and PPE
Since a job site may already be busy with moving construction equipment upon arrival, supply personal protective equipment (PPE) like hard hats, high-visibility vests, gloves, and safety glasses to protect your crew.
Prepare for the weather by checking the forecast and planning for elements like cold, heat, and rain with proper clothing to keep teams comfortable throughout the day.
In warm weather, instruct surveyors to bring sunscreen and water and ensure adequate lighting based on the time of day.
6. Establish Control Points
Control points provide precise references that serve as reliable benchmarks during surveying. Projects may dictate whether traditional or modern equipment should be used to set these points.
Take note of site features that may influence the process of setting control points, such as dependence on satellite signals or line-of-sight visibility, which can be affected by buildings, trees, or terrain.
7. Make a Pre-Survey Checklist
Before you survey a site, a checklist can outline steps and correct procedures for your team; this pre-planning step can verify that team members have the necessary equipment to complete work.
8. Leverage SITECH Horizon Professional Services and Eliminate Stress
Need support? Don’t tackle construction technology alone—SITECH Horizon Professional Services eliminates stress for project and site managers by providing:
- Technology Support and Training: Get help from licensed engineers to conquer any project.
- 3D Modeling and Takeoff Services: Accurately estimate project costs and minimize waste.
- Photogrammetry Data Collection: Use drones to collect and process crucial data.
- Pre-Construction Layout Services: Ensure precision from the start.
Contact us online or call us at (704) 644-0660, and we’ll be happy to help you find the construction surveying equipment you need, plus professional support to get the job done right and on time.