3 Phases of Construction Surveys

Posted on: 22 January 2018

Property owners need to have some basic understanding about the role that a construction surveyor can play in order to ensure that a project will proceed according to plan. This article discusses the three major phases of construction surveys on any project.

Before Construction

The pre-construction phase of any project marks the time when the construction surveyor installs the main survey points or stakes upon which the construction will be based. For example, he or she places stakes that will guide the operators of earth-moving equipment as they dig the foundation of the building. The surveyor also demarcates where the limits of the property are so that no aspect of the construction project exceeds those limits. For instance, the debris generated during excavation works should not be piled beyond the boundaries of the property without obtaining permission from the owner of that adjoining property. 

During Construction

The construction surveyor also plays an important role when the actual construction begins. He or she sets the points for the various components of the project. For example, the surveyor will mark where the building and the curb will be located. The construction surveyor also marks where the utility lines will be laid, or where they exist in case such facilities are already at the site. This guidance prevents any accidents that can occur in case construction crews unknowingly perform risky actions in a location that has buried utility lines. Construction surveyors can also check each phase of the construction project, such as the building envelop, to confirm that it was built in accordance with the architectural designs. Any anomaly can be rectified before the next phase of the project begins. This can save the resources that would have been lost to implement remedial measures long after additional work has been done.

After Construction

A construction surveyor can also survey the property once construction has been completed to provide proof that the entire project was executed in strict conformity to the design specifications. Such a survey can be helpful to you when the contractor is handing over the completed project. Such surveys conducted once construction has been completed are also known as "as-built" surveys.

As you can see, a construction surveyor can do a lot to keep your construction project within budget and on schedule. You should therefore work with your chosen contractor to find the most experienced construction surveyor available so that the project team benefits from the expertise of that individual.

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