02 / Topographic surveys
Good design starts with the ground.
A topographic survey documents the shape of a site and the improvements on it. It gives your design team the existing-conditions information they need to plan a project that works with the property.
A clear picture of the ground ahead.
From an ADU on a compact lot to an addition on a hillside, elevations and site features influence design. We coordinate the survey limits, level of detail, and deliverable format with you and your architect or civil engineer before fieldwork begins.
What the work can include
- Site elevations and ground contours
- Existing structures and visible improvements
- Driveways, walkways, walls, and other agreed site features
- Existing-conditions mapping for residential additions and remodels
- ADU site surveys for architectural and civil design
- Topographic information for grading and drainage design
What you receive
Typical deliverables include an existing-conditions plan with surveyed features, spot elevations, and contours, with digital CAD files when specified. Survey limits, contour intervals, reference control, and required features are defined for your project. Boundary work can be included as a separate part of the scope when needed.
Before we begin
Common questions
Do I need a survey for an ADU or home addition?
Your designer may need surveyed elevations, existing features, and boundary information to develop a site plan. The required scope depends on the property, design, and reviewing agency. Share your plans or your designer’s requirements so we can identify the relevant survey work.
Does a topographic survey establish the property boundary?
Not by itself. Topographic and boundary surveying answer different questions. They are often combined when a design needs both terrain information and a determination of property lines.
Are underground utilities included?
Visible utility features can be located when included in the scope. A topographic survey does not, on its own, identify concealed underground utilities. Any additional utility information or locating work should be discussed before the survey.
Let’s establish your next step
Every project starts with a conversation.
Tell us about your property, your plans, and what you need to know.