CD Surveys Ltd

At present we start new topographical surveys every few days and can usually start a survey within 3 days of acceptance of commission. Although we can normally start within 3 days, we understand the importance of having the capacity and the flexibility to complete and verify jobs to the required delivery date. Where necessary, key elements to a survey can be prioritised for very tight schedules.

Our topographical surveys are carried out in accordance with the standard ‘Topographical Survey Specifications’ as set by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Land Surveyor and the Architect (LSA), Manual of Contract Documents for Highways Works, Volume 5, Section 1, Highway Agency and Department of Transport. However, by finding out exactly what our clients require, we can tailor surveys precisely to their needs and avoid the need for resurvey for additional detail.

Accuracy is essential to all clients and we at CD Surveys take tangible steps to reduce the possibility of errors: Unusually for survey companies, we use separate verification teams to check each survey on site and follow production of drawings. This is included in the price for most survey specifications.

Surveys generally conducted along main roads and streets, require great attention to detail. Along with our normal survey considerations, there are usually issues such as traffic and personnel safety to consider, especially where large amounts of time is required in the road, because of extra detail required such as white lines, lane information or central reservation information.

Roads are normally surveyed to the extents of highway boundaries, although clients sometimes require, with permission from property owners, information of building positions when planning, large 'above road' structures.

While our typical surveys include the pinpointing of all visible services, we are often required to survey existing Manholes to verify surface/ foul sewer runs.

As part of this service we visually inspect, where possible, the size and general visible condition of these services, as viewed under the cover and where possible give connection, flow and depth information.

We maintain a strong client base and pride ourselves on our ability to understand and evaluate the wishes of individual clients.

Our standard surveys are based on the following criteria:-

Control. Horizontal and vertical control are both arbitrary, unless required to be co-ordinated to the Ordnance Survey Grid System and Datum.

Detail varies according to size and type of site and is always adjustable to client needs. Our basic surveys will always include boundaries and trees with a diameter greater than 150mm which will be measured and identified according to species. Levels across the site are taken as a 10m grid with additional spot heights taken to account for undulating topography.

Presentation is at scales from 1:50 to 1:500 dependant on clients needs - typically on A1 or A0 size sheets of stable base material. Digital data is supplied for use with AutoCAD in DWG/DXF format. This data is also available as a fully edited Digital Terrain Model (DTM), for use in engineering design on Eclipse / Panterra, MOSS or the PDS system. Additionally we can provide 3D data using AutoCAD, and produce presentation packages for planning inquiries etc.