Have you ever wondered about the difference between a contour survey, a topographic survey, or a feature and level survey?
If you have, you’re not alone. These three terms get thrown around a lot in early conversations for building or development projects – and are often used interchangeably, just to make it just a little more confusing if it wasn’t already.
But we’ll let you in on an industry secret (and one that’s pretty badly kept, we’ll admit): the truth is, they all essentially refer to the same thing.
That’s right; the terms contour survey, feature and level survey, and topographic survey are mostly used to refer to each other, and all cover a lot of the same ground (pun intended).
Wait – really?
Yes… really.
The bottom line is that all three of these surveys are used to give you a detailed understanding of the site by mapping and measuring the shape, elevation, and surface features of any given site in order to give the go-ahead for construction or development planning.
Specifically, they do this by capturing the following:
- Contour lines, showing the shape and elevation of the land, which includes gentle slopes, steep grades, and everything in between
- Accurate spot levels and elevation data that help support site design
- The location of all natural and man-made features, such as trees, driveways, fences, retaining walls, buildings, and kerbs
- Other key reference points that help define property boundaries (especially if your project is near other structures or infrastructure)
This is what makes all of these surveys such common go-tos for many development projects, since each of them will provide you with a complete picture of the land before any design or construction work begins.
If you’d like to take an even deeper dive into how these surveys work, take a look at our blog on contour surveys for everything you need to know about this process.
So… why the multiple names?
Well, like a lot of other buzzwords and insider jargon, it really just comes down to being an industry thing. Different surveying professionals use different terms based on their personal preferences – some like to go with ‘topographic’, while others go with ‘feature and level’, or even other types of terminology if they’re more used to it.
But, at the end of the day, the key takeaway is that they all really do describe the same type of survey. And whether they’re being used for a council application, a design brief, to prep for a major construction project, or anything else where major money is on the line if your planning is done wrong, any of these surveys are essential for understanding the land features and constraints.
It just happens to be more important than what they’re actually referred to as.
Need a quote for a contour, feature, or topographic survey?
If you’re still confused, the good news is you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
At Sonto, our Brisbane and Gold Coast surveyors bring years of experience across all types of land surveys (and plenty more too!), we’ll be able to walk you through the perfect choice of survey for your site and your project.
Get in touch today for a quick quote or to chat with one of our friendly team members. We’re here to help with all your Brisbane and Gold Coast surveying needs.