If you are building your own home on an undeveloped plot of land, the engineer drawing up the blueprints for your home will likely recommend that you have topography surveying done. Since this isn't something the average homeowner is familiar with, you may find yourself with many questions. Here are a few of the questions you may have about topo surveying and the answers.

What is Topographic Surveying?

A topographic survey is basically done to create a map that shows the ground of the plot of land that you have. The map will detail any dips or bulges in the surface of your land that are natural and unnatural. These contours can be caused by trees, other buildings, manholes, utility poles or eroded land. Topographic surveying can be done by air and by walking the plot of land. Some companies are also beginning to use drones to fly over properties and create images that can then be turned into a survey map.

Why is Topo Surveying Done Before Building a Home?

Prior to building a home, a topo survey is done to determine where the home can be placed on the land, what size home can be placed and what needs to be done, if anything, to level or clear the land. For example, you can't simply build over a manhole or trees. A topo survey can show you what trees need to be cleared away to create the area where your home is to be placed. Or, if your land is full of peaks and valleys, the survey can show what area is the most level, to minimize the amount of filler dirt that needs to be brought in to create a flat surface atop which your home will be built.

What Type of Professional Does Topo Surveying?

There are two different types of professionals that typically do topo surveying. Topo surveying can be done by civil engineers or by land surveying companies. Both are trained to complete this task in the same way and use the same tools to survey the land. If you are working with a civil engineer to draw up blueprints for your home, you may wish to have them do the surveying so you can utilize the services of just one professional. However, if you are drawing up your own blueprints, you may want to simply go with a land surveying company.

There are many new terms that you will come across as you build your home for the first time. One of these terms is topo surveying. Getting answers to the questions you have will help you to better understand what it is, why it is needed, and what to expect of the process.