SURVEYING IS NOT A COMMODITY, IT’S A NECESSITY
When it comes to construction, precision isn’t just nice to have—it’s an absolute requirement. Surveying and construction staking are often seen as interchangeable services, but they are critical necessities that ensure your project stays on track, on time, and within budget.
“Land Surveying is not a commodity; it is the precision of understanding, the foundation of progress, and the art of measuring the future with integrity.”
In this post, we’ll explain why partnering closely with surveyors is vital for success and share essential tips and insights to streamline collaboration.
Staking 101: How to Read a Stake
Understanding how to read construction stakes is a fundamental skill for anyone working on-site. Stakes provide critical information such as cut and fill details, alignment and grade, and reference points.
Pro Tip: Take the time to ensure your team knows how to interpret stakes accurately to keep work aligned with the design.
The Importance of Control Points
Control points are critical reference markers that surveyors set to guide construction layout. Disrupting or moving these points can compromise the accuracy of the entire site, leading to costly rework and delays.
Best Practice: Control points should be marked clearly to make it easier for you to educate site crews about their importance and ensure they remain undisturbed throughout the project.
The Importance of Scheduling
Timing is everything. Staking too early or too late can create chaos on-site. Work closely with your surveyor to determine the right scheduling cadence for staking based on your project timeline and milestones.
Pro Tip: Treat surveyors as partners, not just vendors. Keep them in the loop on schedules and site progress.
Tips for a Successful Project Closeout
As-built documents are the final verification that a job has been completed to specifications. A thorough as-built survey not only ensures compliance but also protects against disputes down the road. To ensure a smooth closeout:
Confirm that all work is 100% complete before requesting a survey.
Ensure communication is clear about what needs to be documented.
Pro Tip: Schedule closeout surveys early to avoid last-minute delays.
Why We Ask To Walk the Stakes
After a day’s staking requests are complete, general contractors and superintendents should take a few moments to walk the stakes with their surveyor. This ensures alignment on layout, confirms everything is placed correctly, and identifies any discrepancies early.
Why it matters: Small misunderstandings can snowball into significant issues during construction.
Why Surveyors Should Make “The List”
Construction plans are dynamic—adjustments happen, timelines shift, and unforeseen challenges arise. When plans change, surveyors should be one of the first calls made. Why? Because updated plans need precise layout adjustments in the office first, so the plans the field crews are working off of reflect those changes.
Why it matters: Delays in communicating with your surveyor can lead to rework, wasted materials, and lost time.
As you can see, surveying and construction staking are not commodities—they are invaluable services that provide the foundation for success on every construction project. At R&R, our detail-focused approach—what we call The R&R Way—ensures we honor commitments, prioritize accuracy, and deliver results.
Ready to elevate your next project? Let’s Chat.