What Do Land Surveyors Do for the Construction Industry?

When you think of a land surveyor, your first thought is probably of the people who work alongside cartographers to make accurate maps, or who go out to take geographical surveys of natural landscapes. These things are all part of land surveying, but they're not the whole story! Land surveys and the people who make them are also a vital part of the construction industry and an important precursor to building work. So what are land surveyors doing for the construction industry, and what do contractors need to know about their role?

What is land surveying? 

A land surveyor takes a detailed set of measurements to enable them to create a map of a particular piece of land. This includes a topographical survey, specifics of any bodies of water on the site, an idea of which roads are nearby and how wide they are, and--in some cases--basic geographical information about the local bedrock and earth types. They don't just collect the data, either; they also need to be able to analyse and collate it, so that they can present construction companies with a coherent and useful report.

How does this help the construction industry?

Before a big construction project can begin, contractors at every stage of the process need to understand the site they're working on. Real estate agents need to have a good conception of the plot they're selling to help represent it to buyers; architects need to know the shape and type of the ground in order to design an appropriate building; engineers need to be able to draw up accurate plans of the site being worked on; work teams need to know of any potential hazards and to get a picture of their working environment before construction commences.

Who makes a good land surveyor?

Land surveying is a profession, and surveyors will need either a degree in a relevant field or a formal apprenticeship (or, often, both) to become qualified. It's a highly technical job, so aspiring surveyors will need to be confident working with GPS, surveying instruments and complex software. Some graphic design skills are often useful, as is a general ability to take a big-picture view. They often work alone, so it's a good choice for people who are able to use their own initiative and get things done independently.

Land surveys are a vital tool for the construction industry, and it's a career that will be in demand in any urban environment.