Topographical Land Survey:

As the cost of projects increase, the financial impact of poor and incorrect surveys can have a significant impact on the budget. The more information gathered before a project ever begins, reduces the likelihood of surprises further down the line.

Surveys could cover anything from:

• A single newbuild house to entire housing developments
• Commercial and industrial areas
• Land and boundary surveys
• Crofting, farm and agricultural surveys
• Renewable energy and telecommunication surveys
• Drainage and SUDs

Given some of the work we have been undertaking, we have become quite adept to working in remote and hard to reach places. The challenge that these areas bring are often refreshing and are a reminder that not everyone can do what we do.

With the amount of remote work that we have been undertaking, we have recently taken the decision to invest in further ATV/UTV options to get us to these places. Whether we have to skirt around sensitive agricultural land or travel kilometers out heathery hills to get to sites we have the means to transport all our survey kit and additional individuals as needed. We really aim to be a one-stop shop for these hard to reach places.

Site Setting Out:

On the flipside of the survey aspect of the industry is the setting out side. Once designs have been finalised, there is a requirement to transfer the information and designs in offices to site for the construction team. Levels, positions, grades and offsets all need to be transferred from the design to the field.

Setting out could cover anything from:

• Marking boundaries and extents
• Building foundations
• Roads, kerbs, footpaths
• Drainage, SUDs, ponds and utilities

Earthworks and Volumes

There is an element of earthwork movements to be undertaken on most projects. Volumes of these are often estimated based on site investigation. Once work on site has begun, actual volumes can be calculated and reports generated, if suitable surveys have been undertaken. Surveys and reports provide excellent evidence of works undertaken thus reducing the likelihood of disagreements between Client, Contractor and Subcontractor. Surveys and earthworks can also help estimate the forthcoming material movements e.g. generating more topsoil than expected.

3D GPS Models and 3DMC

As the industry progresses, there has been a shift to heavy plant becoming GPS equipped (3D Machine Control). GPS equipped excavators, dozers, rollers and graders are a fantastic and highly productive addition to any business but they are only as good as the information input into these systems. We have been heavily involved in making these designs and models for both Trimble and Topcon systems over the last few years. When coupled with the correct engineer on the ground these systems become a timesaver. Along with making these models we have been involved in troubleshooting and setting up sites ready for 3DMC machines. Whether it is basic platforms and material bunds or complex drainage models, we can accommodate your needs. We can export models to Trimble, Topcon, and several other brands of machine control.