How Does Land Surveying Work?
Have you ever seen someone in a hard hat with a tripod and strange-looking stick standing by the side of a road or property? If so, you probably wondered what that person was doing. Well, I wonder no more. That person was most likely a land surveyor, and they were perhaps taking various precise measurements with specialized surveying equipment to determine precisely where property boundary lines were located.
Land Surveying Processes
Land surveyors may have slightly different processes, depending on the specific type of surveying. Here’s a quick overview of the various land surveyor types and the fundamental processes they go through to do their jobs:
- Construction or Engineering: This type of surveyor studies changes in property lines and identifies the location of buildings and roads with exactness. They may also survey road topography and grade or determine the appropriate depth for building foundations.
- Geodetic: A surveyor who uses satellite and aerial imaging to measure substantial portions of the earth is called a geodetic surveyor.
- Boundary or Land: This surveyor fulfills the critical duty of determining where property lines are located.
There are other types, but these are some of the most common. Surveyors must stand by their work and are required to produce accurate numbers. Fortunately, land surveyor tools make it easier for these professionals to have high confidence in their calculations.
Tools Required
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surveyor demand is expected to grow over 10% between 2016 and 2026. The median annual wage is around $60,000 for surveyors who work for engineering or architectural firms and approximately $70,000 for government contractors. You must receive appropriate training and education if you’re interested in pursuing this career path. You’ll also need suitable survey instruments, including a theodolite level (sight, laser, or water level). A theodolite is the ultimate surveying tool and measures vertical and horizontal angles between points. Advanced theodolites can also calculate distance.
