When you hear the word survey, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a crew on the side of the road looking through an instrument, brightly colored flagging, or stakes marking a property line. Those are all part of surveying, but there’s much more to it.
Alabama’s Standards of Practice identify several types of surveys, each designed to answer a different question about a property, project, or site. Below are nine you may encounter, and when you might need them.
1. Property Boundary Survey: “Where’s the Line?”
Probably the most familiar type, a property boundary survey determines the physical location of property lines by establishing new lines or retracing previously established lines and corners.
It involves more than finding an old pin in the ground. A professional land surveyor researches records, evaluates field evidence, and applies boundary law principles to develop a professional opinion about the location of the property lines.
When you might need it: Purchasing or developing property, subdividing land, or planning improvements near a property line.
2. Record or As-Built Survey: “Did We Build What We Planned?”
Plans show what is supposed to be built. An as-built survey documents what was actually constructed by collecting horizontal and/or vertical data to locate improvements.
When you might need it: Documenting completed construction or verifying the location or elevation of improvements.
3. Geodetic Survey: “What If the Earth Isn’t Flat?”
Spoiler alert: It isn’t—and over large enough distances, that matters.
A geodetic survey accounts for the curvature of the earth when determining the position of areas and points. It can provide a broader positional framework when a project’s size, location, or accuracy requirements call for it.
When you might need it: Working across large geographic areas or tying a project to a larger coordinate reference framework.
4. Control Survey: “Where Do We Start?”
A control survey establishes horizontal or vertical position data that supports other surveying, mapping, or construction layout activities.
Think of it as creating the framework that helps keep subsequent measurements working from consistent reference points.
When you might need it: Preparing for mapping, design surveys, construction layout, or other work requiring dependable horizontal or vertical control.
5. Topographic Survey: “What’s Already Out There?”
Before you design what comes next, you need to understand what’s there now.
A topographic survey identifies selected natural and man-made features and establishes their horizontal and vertical relationships. Depending on the project, that could include terrain, structures, pavement, drainage features, utilities, and other site features.
In addition to conventional methods, Sain can use drone-based LiDAR on appropriate projects to efficiently capture detailed information across larger or difficult-to-access areas.
When you might need it: Planning a site development, roadway, utility, drainage improvement, park, trail, or other design project.
6. Hydrographic Survey: “What’s Under the Water?”
Surveyors don’t always stay on dry land.
A hydrographic survey collects information related to bodies of water, such as water depth, bottom configuration, currents, water stages, and fixed objects.
Sain can also use an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for hydrographic data collection, allowing our team to gather information about underwater conditions in areas such as ponds and quarries.
When you might need it: Evaluating a pond, lake, reservoir, quarry, channel, or other water-related feature.
7. Quantity Survey: “How Much Is There?”
Sometimes the question isn’t where? It’s how much?
A quantity survey obtains measurements of quantity. Survey data can provide measurable information to support calculations and project decisions.
When you might need it: Measuring quantities associated with site conditions, materials, or construction.
8. Right-of-Way and Easement Survey: “Who Has the Right to Use What?”
Property ownership and the right to use property aren’t always the same thing.
A right-of-way and easement survey obtains or locates specific rights into property for public or private use. These surveys are especially important when roads, utilities, drainage facilities, or other infrastructure cross or affect a property.
When you might need it: Establishing or locating rights-of-way or easements for transportation, utilities, infrastructure, or development.
9. Specific Purpose Survey: “What If My Project Doesn’t Fit in a Box?”
Not every project fits neatly into one of the categories above.
A specific purpose survey is performed for a defined purpose not covered by the other survey types. Alabama’s standards require that purpose to be identified on the survey map.
In other words, sometimes you have a very specific question that calls for a very specific survey.
The Right Tool for the Job
Surveying has come a long way from the traditional image of a surveyor with a tripod. Today, Sain’s survey team combines professional experience with tools such as conventional surveying equipment, drone-based LiDAR, and hydrographic equipment. Technology is only part of the equation. The key is knowing which survey, and which tools, fit the project.
Not sure whether you need a boundary survey, topographic survey, or something else entirely? You don’t have to know before you call us. Tell us about your project, and Sain Associates’ surveying team can help determine the right approach to get you started.