What is a construction progress survey, and why is it useful?
posted 29th November 2024
Construction projects are complex processes that involve a number of phases, from the initial planning and design through to completion. An important part of any project is to ensure each phase is seamless, this is where construction progress surveys come into play. They are more than measuring a plot of land, they establish the foundation for a successful construction project.
These surveys can be exceptionally useful for all sizes and types of construction, from new home builds to constructing a skyscraper, to building an extension to your existing home. Construction progress surveys can be useful for the following reasons:
Define Boundaries
One of the ways in which construction progress surveys are useful is that help determine the boundaries of your site before building work commences. This information is vital to avoid neighbour disputes, ensuring you comply with local regulations. When you have accurate boundary information, it reduces the risk of encroachments and legal complications.
Regulatory Compliance
Every construction project must comply with local regulations. When you have a detailed survey at hand, you are able to comply with these regulations, avoiding the risk of fines, redesigns, and project shut-downs. Land surveyors provide essential documentation to satisfy local authorities, including local planning permission and building regulation officers.
Seamless Design
When you choose a construction survey, it provides information regarding the plot of land, from any natural features to elevations. This helps architects design a building that works with the site, creating a safe and functional property.
Reduce Expensive Mistakes
Construction mistakes can lead to high financial losses and delays. Surveys help to reduce the risk by providing exact measurements and information. These surveys are used to assist contractors in carrying out their tasks accurately.
Identify Challenges
The majority of construction sites pose their own unique challenges. This can be existing underground utilities to uneven terrain. With an accurate survey in hand, these obstacles are identified early, enabling your project to be build with strategies that address the challenges, avoiding delays.
Resource Allocation
Construction progress surveys are important when it comes to resource planning with the insights provided into the constrains and layout of the site. It helps to manage material storage to where to position heavy machinery. It helps create an organised and efficient construction site.
Improved Safety
Safety is a major priority on any construction site. Surveys are useful in maintaining a high level of safety by identifying hazards and enabling teams to implement safety measures. This proactive approach helps to protect workers, reduce accidents, and ensure the site is safe for long-term use.
Monitoring Progress
Construction progress surveys do not only provide valuable insight for the pre-construction phase, they are just as important during and after the build. Construction progress surveys confirm the work carried out is aligned with the design and specifications of the build. These are known as as-built surveys, carried out throughout the progress of your build, including after the build is completed, providing elements of the project. This ensures quality, avoiding expensive redesigns down the line.
How to Use Construction Progress Surveys for Your Build
Now you understand what these surveys are and why they are so important to the success of your project. You will need to know how to use them. Our team at MB Survey Solutions have put some tips together to get you started:
- Hire experienced surveyors - these surveyors, such as the MB Survey Solutions team, have experience, along with state of the art equipment, ensuring you receive accurate and precise data at all times
- Set a budget - set your surveying budget early in your construction project. Yes, you may think of it as an additional cost, but these construction progress surveys are valuable when it comes to preventing errors, ensuring compliance, and saving you valuable time and money
- Stay on track - use construction progress surveys to ensure your project stays on track, aligning with the architects plans
Conclusion
Construction project surveys are an important part of ensuring your project goes ahead seamlessly and successfully. These surveys offer data that helps to reduce risks, ensuring your build complies with the architects drawings. Do you need further information on construction progress surveys? Are you planning a build and need a reliable, professional, and experienced land surveyor? Contact MB Survey Solutions today to find out more.