Topographical Surveys
Site levels, contours and features for design, consent and construction.
Scope
A topographical survey records what is on the ground and at what level, so your designers are working from reality. We capture from the ground, from the air by drone, or both, depending on the site. Which method we use is our problem; what you get is the same either way.
- Site levels, contours and spot heights
- Existing features: buildings, services, trees, fences, kerbs and drainage
- Drone and UAV capture for large, steep or difficult-to-access sites
- Ground capture where detail and accuracy under cover matter more than speed
- Volumes and earthworks quantities for measurement and progress
- Outputs: DWG / DXF / LAS / surfaces / reports as agreed
- Tied to survey control so it integrates with CAD, BIM and construction data
We hold a CAA Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate, which covers work Part 101 operators cannot do. See our drone services.
Equipment
Owned
- Trimble SX10 · Scanning total station. Survey and scan from one setup, on the same control. Fewer things to go wrong.
- DJI Mavic 3E · Our workhorse in the air. Topo, progress shots, anything easier seen from above.
- Emlid RS4 · GNSS receivers and bases, run through Emlid Flow. Bolt one to a container or move it daily, whatever suits the site.
- HP SitePrint · A robot that draws your walls onto the slab. We ran one of the first in New Zealand, on polished concrete with no margin for error.
Hired per project
- RIEGL VZ-600i · Serious long-range scanner. We bring one in when the site is too big or too far for our own kit.
Larger or longer-range scanning hardware is specified and hired per project.
Software
Frequently asked questions
Do you use a drone or ground survey?
Whichever suits the site. Drone capture covers large, steep or awkward ground quickly. Ground survey is better for detail, for sites under tree cover, and where services and hard features need picking up precisely. Often we use both on the same job.
What deliverables do I get?
Contours, levels, feature linework and surfaces, delivered in DWG, DXF or LAS, plus ortho imagery where drone capture is used. We agree the format before we start so it drops straight into your workflow.
How accurate is it?
Accuracy depends on the method, the site conditions and the control. Everything is tied to survey control and QA checked, so the data is positioned correctly and suitable for engineering and design use.
Can you work in controlled airspace?
Often yes, subject to airspace rules and site constraints. We confirm feasibility and the safest approach before committing to aerial capture.
Can you calculate volumes?
Yes. Volumes and earthworks quantities off the surveyed surface, which is what you want when a progress claim or a variation depends on the number.
How quickly can you turn it around?
It depends on site size and deliverables, but we can prioritise urgent packages when programme pressure is real.
Need a surveyor?
Send the site address and what you need delivered.