Why are Land Surveyors Digging Holes in my Yard?

Have you ever found land surveyors in Edmonton digging holes in your yard and wondered why? This can be a puzzling sight for any property owner, but rest assured there is a valid reason. It’s a common practice and an essential part of the process when conducting land surveying.

While the sight of these professionals digging holes in your yard might cause some anxiety, an Edmonton land surveyor works to figure out where things are located on your property and how they relate to each other in space. These professionals are crucial for creating Real Property Reports (RPRs), which detail a property’s boundaries, improvements, and compliance with local bylaws.land surveyor edmonton

Understanding Land Surveying in Edmonton

From residential home building to commercial development and construction projects, the role of Edmonton Land Surveyors is pivotal in this process. There are many different types of surveys that could be conducted, and each will depend on a specific situation or circumstance.

Real Property Reports (RPR), Development Permit Surveys, Infill Surveys, and Subdivision Planning, to name a few. These surveys serve distinct purposes and provide essential information for homeowners, builders, developers, and governmental agencies.

Why Land Surveyors Might be Digging

Surveyors often dig holes in yards for specific reasons. Here are some of the main purposes behind this practice:

1. Digging Holes for Benchmarking

One common reason why surveyors dig holes in yards is for benchmarking. By establishing a benchmark, or reference point, on your property, surveyors can determine the elevation of various points around your land. This data is then used to create accurate topographic maps that can guide future development. An example is a topographic survey.

  • Topographic Surveys: Identify and map the contours of the ground and existing features on the surface of the earth or slightly above or below the earth’s surface. These are helpful in the case of Lot Grading.

2. Digging Holes for Property Line Verification

Another situation where digging may occur is during property line verification. When the original property markers are not easily visible or have been disturbed, surveyors may need to dig holes to locate them and ensure that the boundaries are correctly identified. An example is a property line survey.

  • Boundary Surveys: Specifically focused on determining the exact boundaries of a property, often used to resolve disputes or for fencing projects. These are also referred to as Property Line surveys.

3. Digging Holes for Soil Testing

Soil testing is yet another reason why you might see a hole appear in your yard. By examining the composition and characteristics of the soil, surveyors can gather valuable information that is essential for planning construction projects and determining suitable building methods.

These are just a few examples of why surveyors dig holes in yards. Ultimately, this practice allows them to gather precise measurements and data that are crucial for various surveying tasks, ensuring that future construction projects and installations align accurately with the property boundaries.

When you see surveyors digging holes in your yard, remember that these professionals are working to make sure your property is safe, legal, and developed correctly.

Other surveys Conducted By Land Surveyors

Construction Survey Services

Construction Survey Services provide critical information needed during the construction process. They help in determining:

  1. The precise location for new structures
  2. The exact angles and grades for construction
  3. Verification of property boundaries

These surveys ensure that buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures are built at the correct location with accurate dimensions. Whether it’s a high-rise building or a single-family house, these services aid in preventing costly mistakes.

Underground Utility Surveys

On the other hand, Underground Utility Surveys serve as an essential tool for any construction project involving ground excavation. These surveys help identify and map out:

  1. Buried utilities such as water lines, gas lines, electrical cables
  2. Potential obstructions beneath the surface

The importance of these surveys cannot be overstated as they prevent accidents caused by damaging underground utilities during excavation. A clear understanding of what lies beneath helps in safe planning and execution of construction activities.

Both Construction Survey Services and Underground Utility Surveys contribute significantly to efficient project planning and risk mitigation in the realm of construction.

Conclusion

Land surveyors digging in your yard isn’t a cause for alarm. Instead, it’s a sign of thorough preparation and legal diligence, ensuring that any work on your property is accurate, compliant, and documented. Whether you’re updating your Real Property Report, resolving property line issues, or preparing for a new construction project, understanding the process can demystify the presence of surveyors and their work.

For any surveys that you may need, we here at Arc Surveys are ready and happy to help. For a FREE quote click Here! Or give us a call at 780-800-1260 or send us an email office@arcsurveys.ca, we’re always happy to help.