The primary purpose of a topographic survey is the determination of the relief of the surface of the property and the location of natural and artificial objects thereon. Relief refers to lines of equal elevation which are called contours. Natural features include rivers, streams, ponds, ditches, cliffs, and others. Artificial features include man-made objects such as roads, walls, fences, buildings, etc. The topographic survey may also show the location of utilities such as water, gas, electric, and telephone if requested. This is done by observing the above ground visible features such as manhole covers, valves and markers. If the client requests it, an underground utility location service can be hired to paint the location of the underground utility lines.
Do I Need a Topographic Survey?
This type of survey can be very useful for construction and landscaping projects, engineering studies, or for anyone who needs a detailed understanding of the existing conditions of a piece of land.
Engineers and architects use topographic surveys to help them optimize the location of buildings and other improvements during the design phase. A Topographic survey is also needed when planning drainage systems and for designing the location of roads, sidewalks, and building sites.
The average homeowner may want to know the lay of their land before doing landscaping, installing a fence, or building an accessory building such as a garage or shop.
How Does The Surveyor Create A Topographic Survey?
For a topographical survey, the surveyor takes numerous height measurements at intervals across the property. This is done using a GPS rover or a surveying Total Station.
In the final product, the measurements will be presented in the form of contour lines on a map of the property. Each of the contour lines will represent a specific elevation usually at an interval of 1 or 2 feet. The natural and artificial features will be mapped as well.
How Much Does A Topographic Survey Cost?
Each Topographic Survey is unique, and therefore has its own factors contributing to cost. The final cost of a survey can be as low as a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars.
Factors influencing the cost include property size, location, terrain, job complexity, and the location of underground utilities.
For a price quote you can fill out our survey request form, and we will reply as soon as possible.
