Construction surveyors take careful measurements and suggest blueprint adjustments to ensure construction projects are carried out efficiently and successfully. They survey land to determine the need to level and stabilize ground and oversee the actual construction process to make sure everything is built to specifications. Professionals who hold construction surveying jobs usually specialize in certain types of projects, such as building roads, bridges, buildings, or sewer systems. Construction surveying jobs can be found in many settings, though most workers are employed by private contracting companies and municipal government organizations.
Many construction surveying jobs entail planning new city roads, highways, and tunnels. A team of surveyors uses specialized measuring devices to determine the appropriate widths and lengths of proposed roads and decide how much material will be needed to complete projects. Many surveyors utilize computer software programs and global positioning systems to ensure their measurements are accurate. Professionals make expert recommendations about the removal or addition of earth to help make roads as straight and level as possible. During construction, surveyors place guide ribbons and stakes at predetermined points so road builders stay on course.
A construction surveyor may also specialize in the creation or renovation of a bridge. Like other construction surveying jobs, bridge surveying involves making careful measurements and assessing the need for materials and supplies. Surveyors identify potentially dangerous or unstable banks alongside rivers and suggest ways to minimize the chance of a collapse. They inform construction crews of exactly where and how to install support beams, railings, and cables.
Residential and building construction surveying jobs involve marking the corners of foundations, determining the best locations for parking areas, and deciding where pipelines should be installed. Construction surveyors are frequently contracted to provide advice on the placement of large factory pipes and city sewer systems. They consider the composition of soil and the natural slope of a piece of land to determine the most cost-efficient, effective underground systems.
Professionals in all types of construction surveying jobs work closely with engineers and planning committees to ensure everyone involved is aware of what needs to be done to complete projects. They present engineers and architects with their findings, so they can make the appropriate adjustments to their plans. If an issue occurs on-site regarding the placement or alignment of a structure, the construction surveying team can provide expert opinions on how to overcome the problem and get the project back on track.
