land surveying

Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, you should always get a survey of your property. This will help you know where your land is, as well as any encroachments or other issues that may arise.

There are many different types of surveys, but the accuracy of these measurements depends on several factors. Those include weather conditions, terrain and vegetation.

Boundary Surveys

When you are planning to build a new home, erect a fence or extend your property, it is important to determine where the exact boundary lines and corners are. Accurate surveying can prevent disputes between neighbours and ensure that your property line is accurately depicted in the land title plan.

This can be done by having a Boundary Identification Survey carried out which has a high degree of accuracy and establishes the true position of your boundaries in relation to neighbouring properties. These surveys require 2 site visits and a specific type of plan that is lodged into the Titles Office.

Only Registered Cadastral Surveyors can carry out this work so be sure to ask your land surveyor in Brisbane for their cadastral endorsement before having your boundaries marked. This will protect your interests and avoid costly legal disputes.

Topographic Surveys

If you’re building a new home or doing a major renovation on your Brisbane property, you may need a topographic survey before construction begins. This survey will help architects and engineers to plan the structure to fit well with the landscape.

A topographic survey creates a detailed map of the terrain, elevation and properties structures. This is done by using specialized instruments like GPS, EDM and total station theodolites to collect data.

The cost of a topographic survey depends on the size and complexity of the property. Larger parcels with varying elevations and terrain levels can take longer to survey than small plots.

Elevation Surveys

An elevation survey is a great way to determine the height of your property as well as what you can and cannot build. This is particularly useful if you are relocating your home to a new location as it may help you secure the necessary land permits before construction begins. The best part is that this information can be incorporated into your landscaping plans to give you the aesthetically pleasing outdoor space you’ve always wanted.

Construction Surveys

A construction survey is the process of staking out reference points and markers that will guide the construction of new structures like roads or buildings. These markers are typically staked out using the project’s chosen coordinate system.

During construction, it’s important to double-check the position of these markers so that you can make sure everything is built correctly and safely. This can save you money down the line, and ensure that your property is safe and functional for years to come.

Construction surveys can also help establish the location and alignment of bridges, highways, pipes, buildings, and other man-made objects. They are used after large-scale projects have been completed, as well.

Construction surveys are essential to engineering projects because they help ensure that a building or roadway will be safe and viable for its intended use. They also provide a detailed overview of the land, including its current conditions and any existing issues that may need to be addressed before the construction begins.

Land surveying is a fascinating field that has its roots in historical technique. It’s a profession that is still needed today, and it can be done in many different ways.

The field of land surveying is constantly evolving and changing, but it is always necessary. Fortunately, modern technology is making it easier for land surveyors to do their job more efficiently.

Discover the Fascinating World of Land Surveying From Historical Technique

Magnetic Compass

The Magnetic Compass is a simple device that uses magnetic fields to determine the direction of a magnetized needle. This instrument can be used on land or in the ocean, and has been around for thousands of years.

It consists of a circular brass box that houses a magnetic needle. This needle swings over a 360-degree bass circle.

This instrument can be used to measure horizontal angles such as angles in buildings and related measurements. The compass has graduations to indicate degrees and half-degrees.

On a survey chart, you’ll see the headings indicated in degrees and also declination (a difference between true north and magnetic north). These are important because variation and deviation are noted on charts.

Theodolites

Theodolites are a type of precision instrument that can be used to measure horizontal and vertical angles. Surveyors use these instruments to make precise measurements of areas in order to create maps or build roads.

The instrument features a swiveling telescope that can be adjusted to measure both horizontal and vertical angles. It also has a sight that can be used to align the telescope and a crosshair that can be aimed at a specific point.

Modern theodolites are equipped with vernier scales that can measure angles to a small degree, such as 0.1’ or 1 second. In addition, some models can be adjusted to double angles for error reduction.

Theodolites are a crucial tool for land surveying, but they require careful care and maintenance to function correctly. They also need a variety of accessories to ensure their accuracy and efficiency. These include tripods, cases, batteries, targets, prisms, software and data collectors.

Telescopes

Whether surveying for construction, land development or mapping, it’s important to get big measurements right. That’s why surveyors use a range of equipment including the optical theodolite, total station, 3D scanners, level and rod.

The earliest practices of land surveying can date back to the ancient Egyptians who constructed the Great Pyramid at Giza. They established precise plots of land for taxation and paved the way for modern surveying techniques.

Today, surveyors continue to map and measure critical man-made features on our planet. From roads and bridges to pipelines, surveying is an integral part of building everything from a three-bedroom tract house to a super skyscraper.

Leather Coverings

One of the perks of being a land surveyor is access to a library of surveying literature from the early 19th century up to the present day. Aside from the usual suspects, this illuminating repository is also home to an array of other notables. Some of the more interesting finds include an octavelloum adorned folio and a collection of archival genii, including a triumphed sized libryte, albeit it’s the small variety. The best part is, you get to try it all for free.

Tools

Land surveyors use a wide variety of tools to complete their work. They have access to equipment such as total stations, robotic total stations, theodolites, GNSS receivers, retroreflectors, 3D scanners, LiDAR sensors, radios, inclinometers and handheld tablets.

The tools are used to create the data used to define and map land. This includes ALTA/ACSM surveys, boundary surveying, construction surveying, location, site planning and subdivision surveying.

The main function of surveying is to determine the existing relative horizontal and vertical positions of various forms, boundaries and objects in space. This is done in two ways: the first is to establish a baseline, which allows angular measurements of other points to be derived; the second is to create a reference network for the establishment of new points at an existing position.

Topographic maps show the shape of land, including mountains and valleys. They are commonly used in land development and construction, as well as by professionals in geology and other disciplines.

They are made by drawing contour lines to connect points of equal elevation. Contour lines that are close together indicate steep terrain, while contour lines that are spaced far apart show gentle slopes.

From Property Lines to Topographical Maps The Importance of Accurate Land

Accuracy

Accurate topographic maps are essential to the planning and use of land. They can help people locate property boundaries, encroachment and setbacks, legality issues and more.

To produce a topographic map, surveyors must first locate and identify control points by conducting field surveys. These include horizontal and vertical control points that are used to establish longitude, latitude and elevations for each map interval.

The process of generating topographic maps is a complex one that requires the skills and expertise of many different individuals, including surveyors, engravers, fact checkers, printers, and more. The accuracy of a map depends on many factors, including the type of survey, terrain and vegetation, and human error.

Encroachment

Encroachments are structures that are built or extended over someone else’s property line without their permission. They can be minor or major, and can impact the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future.

One way to resolve encroachment problems is by speaking with your neighbor and coming to an agreement about how to handle the situation. However, in some cases, a court case may be necessary to get the offending party to remove their structure.

It’s important to understand that encroachments can happen either intentionally or unintentionally. Some are minor and don’t affect your property value significantly, while others can be a nuisance or a safety concern.

Setbacks

When it comes to land, a topographical map is one of the most important things you can have. Many people use these maps for hiking, camping, and driving.

Topographical maps show the elevation of mountains, the depths of oceans, and the steepness of slopes. They also provide information on water features, vegetation, roads and railroads, cities, mines, and survey control points.

One of the main features that sets a topographical map apart is the use of contour lines to illustrate the shape of the terrain. These imaginary lines connect points that have the same elevation on the Earth’s surface above or below a reference surface, which is usually mean sea level.

Legality

Before you purchase a new home or sell your current one, it is important to be sure that all the lines are straight. This will prevent boundary disputes and encroachments that could cause you serious headaches in the long run.

Typically, property boundaries are determined by physical markers, such as trees, boulders, and rivers. However, these are not always accurate.

Topographic maps are a good place to start when searching for the correct line of demarcation. They provide a precise depiction of the terrain, including elevation and relief.

They can also be used for other purposes, such as tracing the path of a river or finding a national park. They are especially useful for orienteering and hiking, as they can indicate which direction creeks flow, how deep a gully is, or how fast the terrain will change. Often, they can be used by government agencies for emergency management and disaster planning as well. They are often more difficult to produce than a simple map and require specialized equipment.