The Benefits of Topographic Surveys for Land Development in NZ

Land development projects require plenty of care, attention to detail and skill. Every step must be handled thoroughly to prevent expensive and dangerous mistakes down the track – and one of the most important early steps is to conduct a topographic survey. 

Surveying your land before you make changes to it is extremely important. This is because surveys provide you with necessary data about your property so you can tailor your plans to your unique land.

What Is A Topographical Survey?

These surveys focus on mapping out the natural and artificial features of a plot of land. This includes elevation changes, vegetation, bodies of water, infrastructure, underground structures, etc. 

These surveys are vital because they provide engineers, builders, architects and other essential parties with the data they need to design new structures that work with the land. 

Who can benefit from topographic surveys?

• Property Owners. Property is an investment, so you undoubtedly want to know all about your particular piece of land. Surveys let you understand the in-depth aspects of your property so you can make confident, informed decisions as a property owner. 
• Property Developers. Before you develop your property, you need to understand its specific features, risks and opportunities. This information empowers you to make beneficial decisions. 
• Architects And Engineers. With the information provided by a topographic survey, architects and engineers can tailor their designs to the particular piece of land they’re working with. 
• Builders And Contractors. Construction work is complex. The more informed your builders are, the better they can work efficiently while avoiding dangerous risks. 

Remember that to make the most of your topographic survey, you need to hire a qualified expert. Experienced Auckland surveyors will be more accurate and will choose the right surveying methods for your land. They can handle the challenges associated with surveying, such as navigating risky terrain and weather issues.

Why Are Topographical Surveys So Important For Land Development?

How can a topographic survey benefit your land development project? 

Cohesive Architectural Designs. Designing plans for new buildings is about more than just creating gorgeous, functional structures that meet the needs of their future inhabitants – it’s about creating buildings that are meant for the land they’re going to be built on. Topographical surveys paint a picture of the land that you’re working with, giving architectural designers a starting point to start building something amazing from the ground up.

Having accurate, reliable data can also streamline the overall planning process. Your architects, engineers, builders and other essential parties need to work together to bring your vision from concept to reality. When everyone is working with the same data, details can remain consistent and mistakes can be avoided. Remember that communication is vital for any kind of land development process, so everyone involved should remain in contact throughout the project. 

Assessing Feasibility. Unfortunately, not all plans work with all plots of land. Survey data helps developers, architects and builders understand if a site is a good match for your vision. With your surveyor, you can check the site’s terrain, potential hazards and overall feasibility for construction. 

If your land is not suitable for your vision, then you can consider additional steps like hiring earthmovers to shape your land.

Compliance With Local Regulations. Councils often require accurate site surveys from licensed surveyors for consent applications. Detailed topographical drawings and data can streamline the application process by providing the proper authorities with a clear understanding of your project and your property. Accurate data reduces questions and improves clarity, potentially speeding up the consent approval process so you can meet your project deadlines. 

If you’re not sure how to stay compliant with your land development project, you can consult with your surveyor, architect, builder and other relevant parties. Surveyors with plenty of experience with land development projects can offer you expert guidance.

Identifying And Mitigating Risks. Land development comes with plenty of potential risks. Sloping land, flood risks, seismic activity, unstable soil and underground structures must all be considered when building a new structure. 

For example, building on sloping land is more complicated than building on flat land. Precautions must be taken with any kind of risk to keep everyone safe throughout the entire process, protecting everyone from the builders constructing your structure to the people who will eventually use the finished building. 

Identifying and mitigating risks now will let you avoid costly and time-consuming reworks down the track.

Investing In A Topographic Survey For Your Upcoming Auckland Land Development Project

Before you begin the next stages of your plan, consider a professional survey so you can truly understand your land.

You can call us on 09-427-0003 or learn more about how to reach us on our website.

Reach out to our Fluker Surveying team for expert surveying services and more.