Topography surveying for a land area primarily shows elevations and other landforms that aren’t present on traditional maps. Many topographic maps play essential roles in civil engineering, geographic planning, and various earth science studies.
It’s essential that topographic surveys get done accurately. If you need a topographic survey conducted on your property, you should enlist the help of a professional to do so. The topographic surveyors at Scalice Land Surveying can help you get started.
Why Topographic Surveys Are Important
Unlike boundary surveys, topographic surveys show contour lines which are just as crucial for any construction or renovation project. Each contour line represents variations in elevation that can potentially affect how construction will occur in the area.
While understanding boundary lines are important and required, contour lines are an equally essential aspect when building anything. Knowing the elevation of a specific area allows builders to save time and money by preparing for the terrain on which they’re working on.
How Topographic Surveys Get Conducted
A surveyor will typically conduct a topographic survey using a high-quality GPS unit and various other tools to detect elevation, location, and distance. Once all the fieldwork gets completed, digital elevation models get made to represent all the data collected. From there, you will receive the complete survey in your email.
A topographic survey is a type of land survey. When it comes to construction, land surveys aren’t optional. You need them to move forward with a project. Getting a topographic survey is necessary for compliance with state and local guidelines.
When Should I Get a Topographic Survey?
You should get a topographic survey when you embark on a construction project or any of the following.
Redeveloping Land
If you own land or real estate and want to redevelop the ground for a different purpose, you’ll absolutely need a topographic survey. Redeveloping land for other purposes will require that you know the elevation of the area.
Whether you’re trying to turn commercial land into residential or vice versa, both types have different needs. A topographic survey will help ensure your plans are viable. For example, the sewage system of a home is different from an office or large commercial space. Elevation data can help you understand where and how to build your new project.
Providing Elevation Data to an Architect
If you’re trying to build an extension or addition to your home, your architect will need a topographic survey to adjust their plans for elevation. The elevation is important for architects so they can design your project accordingly.
Building Drainage Ditches
If you need to create a drainage ditch to condense water or for an irrigation system, a topographic survey is necessary. A topographic survey can reveal the best places on your land to support a drainage or grading ditch.
For example, you wouldn’t want to build a drainage ditch on even land or a small slope. You’ll want to find the best slope possible for maximum efficiency. Instead of investigating the land inch by inch, a topographic survey can reveal the best spot for it.
Environmental Restoration
Topographic surveys play a key role in environmental and ecosystem restorations. If you’re embarking on a project that involves restoring a specific area back to its original and natural state, you should get a topographic survey. The data you get about elevation and terrain is vital for restoring any area.
Do I Need a Professional to Conduct a Topographic Survey?
If you have no experience with topographic surveys, you should definitely get the help of a professional. However, even if you have some knowledge, the tools, time, and effort required can end up costing you more than just simply hiring an expert to handle it.
The amount of work and dedication required is better spent on the project you’re trying to complete. Let the professionals at Scalice Land Surveying conduct your topographic survey quickly, efficiently, and accurately.
How Much Does a Topographic Survey Cost?
Survey prices will fluctuate depending on several factors. The amount of money you’ll spend on a topographic survey depends highly on several factors:
- Time spent on surveying
- Size of the area being surveyed
- The amount of information and data that needs to get processed
Most companies will offer a free estimate that can give you a general idea of how much you’re going to spend.
At Scalice, our starting point for a topographic survey is $1,500. You can also obtain a basic boundary or title survey for $700.
Get in Touch With a Professional Topographic Surveyor Today
You don’t want to start your next project without all the information available to you first. The more data you have about the land you’re working on, the more time and money you can save. You can avoid any costly mistakes by getting a professional topographic surveyor from Scalice Land Surveying to help you today.
