Hiring a land surveyor is the best way to determine the boundaries of a property, and the smartest choice if you want to make sure every aspect of your project is on sound legal footing. They’ll be able to settle any property disputes quickly and get commercial construction projects started on the right foot. The right firm also needs the right tools for the job. Registered land surveyors rely on their years of on-the-job experience and advanced tools to conduct their surveys, from simple boundary surveys to complex ALTA/ACSM surveys.
Learning about some of the tools used during land surveying in Idaho will help you better understand why the surveyor’s role is so important. Here’s a brief guide to the equipment regularly used by professional land surveyors.
GPS
GPS is an extremely accurate navigation system that identifies an exact location on the earth’s surface using satellite signals. Land surveyors use GPS for mapping, identifying the starting point for a survey and marking boundary lines. This helps them easily identify the latitude and longitude in seconds without having to do more time-consuming work. Modern total stations (which we’ll cover just below) are equipped with GPS technology to ensure the best accuracy.
Total station
The total station is one of the most essential surveying tools. You’ve likely seen it used before—it’s a bright yellow or orange camera mounted on top of a tripod. The total station can measure the distance between two points and the level of the land nearly instantaneously. Modern total stations can be controlled remotely, which can speed up the surveying process, as they eliminate the need for an assistant.
Measuring wheels
This is one of the most basic, yet most powerful tools in a surveyor’s kit. The measuring wheel is exactly what it sounds like. The wheel has a long handle that measures the approximate distance traveled between two points as it is pushed along the ground.
Rods
Those wooden sticks with a brightly colored top are called surveying rods. A rod is used to provide the total station with a point of reference to accurately take measurements. Expect to see lots of these during the surveying phase of your project.
3D laser scanners and LiDAR
These high-tech tools provide incredibly accurate results. They create a digital version of the space using state-of-the-art lasers. The surveyor will use this information to gain a detailed account of the property. Usually, they will measure the digital rendering before sharing the important data with the developers, builders and architects also working on the project. Typically, only large surveying firms have access to these two tools, as they are quite expensive.
A surveyor’s most important tool is actually their own experience and knowledge of the industry and the technology. The best land surveyor will be able to rely on their expertise to help them handle projects efficiently and easily work their way through any unexpected challenges. Reach out to the professionals at Mason & Associates today to work with an experienced provider of land surveying in Idaho. We look forward to assisting you soon!