Common surveys companies must assess to ensure the project’s feasibility

The construction sector is one of the most important in the world but also fairly challenged. While the industry is slowly recovering after the pandemic, construction material costs increased considerably, leading to explosions in building expenses. Therefore, the demand for new buildings and houses remained steady, especially since younger generations prefer renting to buying a home.

 

However, despite this trending change, houses will always be built, but the problem is that the process is slow and feasible, and many challenges affect construction's speed and feasibility and the trust in companies that provide safe buildings. The Grenfell Tower fire is only one of the many cases of lack of regulation compliance regarding the building’s exterior materials. With safety issues from poor emergency lighting and expired fire extinguishers, the case shows how avoiding safety concerns can lead to a disaster.

 

But there’s more to how a building should be constructed, designed, and equipped, and doing proper surveys could help navigate the issue.

Photo by Troy Mortier on Unsplash

Land survey sets the base for construction

Land survey starts with the land parcel that is supposed to be used for construction. The process includes several details about the size of the area and its accuracy so experts can leverage the best strategies. For small areas with high-level details, engineers use ground surveys, but if it’s vice versa, professionals prefer aerial surveys.

 

Land survey is quite complex, as it involves different purposes:

• Boundary survey is necessary to locate corners and boundaries of the parcel;
• Topographical survey is needed to identify elevations, contours, and slopes;
• Construction survey means staking out structures like walls and buildings;

 

Employing land surveys is imperative to establishing potential hazards on the property, including the land structure. Using adequate survey and engineering instruments, from inspection cameras to moisture measurements to material thickness gauges, is important to ensure construction safety.

 

Structural survey ensures building integrity

Structural surveys are needed to ensure a building's top-notch safety in terms of structural features. Through the process, professionals might be able to pinpoint issues like stability in the building, such as cracks in the walls, roof problems, and dampness risks. Surveyors can even check the ground under the building to see if it can sink or settle.

 

Structural surveys are important for:

 

• Renovations, since it assesses structural issues before starting the renovation process to avoid costly surprises;
• Concerns over the property’s safety, especially if you want to ensure its value in the long term;
• New property buyers who want to know everything about potential repairs or improvements needed;
• Sellers who want to set a fair price for their property and be able to negotiate on its value;

 

Ecological survey establishes the environmental impact

Ecological surveys might not be very popular, but they are necessary to protect the environment. The construction industry already affects nature through fuel consumption, emissions, and effects on wetlands and streams, so an ecological survey would prevent the exploitation of ecosystems.

 

Building in protected flora and fauna shouldn’t be allowed, and the survey can assess if the building project could impact the heathland or meadows near the site. Of course, the survey should include details about species and their seasonal activity to ensure they won’t be harmed.

 

The ecological survey includes studying the habitat type in the area, species composition, and vegetation structure, which is part of the first step in the assessment. The next step includes a detailed ecological report on the site’s nature, residual impact, and habitat loss possibility.

Noise survey determines the level of distress for nearby sites

We’re all used now to noise pollution from traffic, but noise from construction tends to be more intense and can affect the locals and the environment as well, especially when the process will be long-term. The noise survey will establish the levels of noise and vibrations following the construction process and find ways to navigate the issue to avoid unwanted effects.

 

For example, exposure to noise can lead to stress and sleep disturbances, but it can also affect animals. Noise pollution can impair animals’ abilities to navigate and find food, which also applies to marine species.

 

The assessment is even more critical as it directly affects workers. While the construction project could impose restricted hours of working to allow residents to have a few hours of quiet a day, workers need effective protective equipment. Isolating the noise source would also be great if possible.

 

Construction surveys have many benefits

Although it may be possible for construction companies to ignore their importance, such surveys are vital for saving money, protecting workers, and avoiding legal complications. A vast array of surveys can help ensure that construction can be approved easily by being aware of compliances and legal requirements imposed by the government.

 

At the same time, surveys can help manage construction costs better since companies can prevent any complications during the process. Land surveys can detect potential issues, for which contractors can prepare beforehand by altering the project. Finding that the soil and water conditions are weak or the ecosystems are endangered after starting the project will only lead to its end.

 

Surveys can also illuminate due diligence issues since some old buildings and land parcels are prone to containing dangerous substances like asbestos or lead, which require special attention before new construction. Local expertise is recommended in this case to ensure safety and

compliance.

 

Choosing surveys also provides better insight into the sports for grading and levelling since they can sometimes require special attention. The topography and elevation aspects of a site are important elements of finishing a project by determining the right type of levelling and grading.

 

Surveys are necessary for the construction

While the construction industry is barely recovering from the pandemic, with material prices soaring and labour shortages hindering its efficiency, companies must up their game by employing the right strategies for assessing building safety. Therefore, surveys are necessary to ensure the project will be successful because they assess the site’s safety, the environmental impact following construction, and the amount of noise pollution expected.