Construction surveying is the surveyor's work across the whole life of a build: recording what is there before anyone breaks ground, putting the design on the ground accurately, and verifying afterwards that what was built matches what was approved.
It is less a single product than a running relationship with a project. The control set at the start is the same control used to stake the last item months later, which is why it is worth establishing properly.
Before the work starts
An existing conditions survey records the site as found: structures, floor elevations, paving, utilities, drainage and grade. This is the baseline the design is drawn against and the record you will want if anyone later disputes what the site looked like on day one.
During the work
- Primary control set and protected, so every stakeout through the job comes off the same framework
- Building corners, offsets and reference points for the crews to build from
- Grade stakes for pads, paving, drainage and utilities
- Restaking as needed, because stakes get destroyed on live sites and that is normal
After the work
As-built verification confirms the finished positions and elevations for closeout, for the engineer of record, and for the permitting office. Where a certificate of occupancy depends on a documented elevation, this is the survey that supplies it.
Who usually needs one
General contractors, site contractors, developers, engineers and owners running their own builds.
Where we do them
Anywhere in Florida.