What Does a Land Surveyor Do?

Whether you’re involved in real estate, construction or a host of other land-related projects, the work of a licensed surveyor is crucial. A highly skilled professional, a surveyor is trained to make exact measurements and determine property boundaries with precision. He or she provides clients with critical data about a piece of land, which can be used for construction, engineering and mapmaking purposes.

This type of work requires an intricate combination of law, math, physics and engineering. A surveyor’s toolkit includes a wide variety of specialized equipment, including total stations and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. These instruments allow the surveyor to collect and record data about the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation or dimension of land or land features for engineering, mapmaking, mining and construction purposes.

Many of these professionals are hired by government agencies, architectural, engineering, mining and construction companies. They also frequently collaborate with civil engineers to provide the critical information required to design infrastructure and construction projects. A surveyor’s work is especially important for high-risk projects, such as dams, canals or bridges, where mistakes could lead to injury and even death.

For example, before a building owner can expand his or her commercial or residential space, the property must be precisely measured and surveyed to ensure that the expansion is within legal standards and does not encroach on neighboring properties. In a densely populated region such as New York, this is a critical task.

Civil engineers also rely on the work of surveyors for their high-risk projects, such as dams and bridges. This is because these structures must be built with the surrounding topography in mind to prevent them from collapsing, which could put people in danger.

A surveyor’s research also often focuses on property lines and boundaries, which can be complicated in regions such as New York City where there are strict restrictions on property expansions. These professionals conduct detailed searches to identify and mark boundaries based on the results of previous surveys, as well as examine deeds and other documents related to the property.

A career as a Land Surveyor often combines desk-based work in an office with outdoor fieldwork and travel to sites. Some of these locations can be difficult to reach, and it’s not uncommon for surveyors to be away from home for stretches of time as they explore a given area. Those in this profession are typically highly dedicated to their work and have excellent technical and analytical skills. They can quickly identify problems with a particular site and develop effective solutions. They’re also able to communicate their findings clearly and concisely in both written and oral form, enabling them to explain complex technical matters in a way that is easy to understand. This makes them a valued member of any team.