So, let’s take a guess here – you’re a Project

Manager and the surveying on your project

could be going a little bit better, to say the least?

Or perhaps you’re a surveyor yourself and - like all

good surveyors - you’re looking to improve your skills
and cut out any mistakes that you may be making
(even though you weren’t aware you were making any!)

Either way, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re going to walk you through

some of the most common mistakes
that site + land surveyors make and
by the end of this guide, you’ll have
a better understanding of exactly
what is going wrong and you’ll be
one step closer to learning the
methods that’ll help you avoid
these errors.

So, let’s begin,

shall we…
 Shop Drawings
What is a Shop Drawing?
A shop drawing is a drawing (or set of drawings) produced by
the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor, or fabricator
The shop drawing is the manufacturer’s or the contractor’s drawn version of
information shown in the construction documents. It is drawn to explain the
fabrication and/or installation of the items to the manufacturer’s production crew
or contractor's installation crews.

What’s the
common mistake?

A lot of surveyors are guilty of making the assumption

that draftsmen and/or designers don’t make mistakes,
taking the shop drawings they receive and using them
as if they’re absolutely perfect, 100% of the time.

Click to find out what parts of a shop drawing you

should spend some of your time checking for errors.

http://bit.ly/2ca4Zep
 Resections
What is a Resection?
In surveying, free stationing (also
known as resection) is a method
of determining a location of one
unknown point in relation to
known points of a Geodetic
network or landmarks of a
map. There is a zero
point of reference called
a Total station. The
instrument can be
freely positioned so
that all survey points
are at a suitable
sight from the
What’s the instrument.
common mistake?

Most surveyors will use

an inadequate encompassing
angle or an insufficient number
of control stations/survey points when
establishing a resection station.

Or even worse – both!

Here’s how many stations from your

control network you should be using.

http://bit.ly/2c3hHdY
 Control
Network
What is a
control network?
A control network is a collection of known survey points
(or control stations) that are measured relative to previous
measured points which can be used by a surveyor to determine
their own position when beginning a new survey.
Control stations are usually marked on the earth's surface by objects
ranging from small nails driven into the ground to large beacons that
can be seen from long distances. The surveyors can set up their
instruments on this position and measure to
nearby objects.

What’s the common mistake?

Failing to check a high quantity of seemingly unrelated control

stations to ensure accuracy throughout the entire network

This is a better method of making sure

your control stations are compatible with
each and every survey point within your
network.

http://bit.ly/2coAjpo
 Setting-Out
What is Setting-Out?
Setting-out (sometimes referred to as construction surveying,
building surveying or stake-out) is to set-out reference points
and markers that will guide the construction of new
structures such as roads or buildings.
These markers are usually staked out according to a
suitable coordinate system selected for the project.

What’s the common mistake?

Failing to ascertain compatibility between

your survey points – particularly in
complex parts of the project – can
lead to significant errors in your work
that won’t come to light until it’s far
too late to make corrections.

Click to find out some great

techniques for maximising
compatibility among
setting-out points.

http://bit.ly/2bSPW62
 As-Built Surveys
What is an as-built survey?
An as-built survey documents the location of recently
constructed elements of a construction project.
As-built surveys are done for record, completion evaluation
and payment purposes. An as-built survey is also known
as a 'works as executed survey'. As built surveys are
often presented laid over existing plans for
comparison with design information.

What’s the
common mistake?

Notwithstanding the fact that time-

management is obviously important, an
as-built survey can never have too many
readings. We’d warn against over-using the
reflectorless feature of your total station to
achieve a higher number of readings, however.

Here’s a useful way to increase the number of

readings in your as-built surveys that won’t
jeopardise your accuracy.

http://bit.ly/2coAjpo
Datum Levels
What are datum levels?
Levelling is a branch of surveying, the objects of which are
to establish a point at a given elevation with respect to the
given or assumed datum and also to find the elevation of a
given point with respect to the given (or assumed) datum.
Levelling is the measurement of geodetic height using an
optical levelling instrument and a level staff or rod having a
numbered scale. Common levelling instruments include
the dumpy level, the digital level, and the laser level.

What’s the
common mistake?

Using your total station to

transfer datum levels from one
floor to another can cause you
major problems on high-rise
buildings

This is a far more accurate

procedure for transferring
datum levels up a building.

http://bit.ly/2bTvy9J
 And the biggest mistake of all…

Well, that’d be not working with

Swansea Surveys, obviously!
Whether you’re a Project Manager who wants to
ensure all surveying on your project is under
control or you’re a surveyor who wants to improve
your skill-set, all you have to do is get in touch.
Want to know how to avoid these mistakes?
Sign-up for our in-depth survey course here!

www.SwanseaSurveys.com