SURVEYING & UTILITY LOCATING FAQs

Your questions.
Clearer next steps.

From choosing a survey to preparing for a site visit, find practical answers to common project questions.

Ask our team
A boundary peg marked in the fieldClear information. Confident decisions.

Choosing a survey

Find the right starting point for your site and project.

Which survey should I start with?

For design, start by discussing a topographical survey. For property boundaries, ask about boundary marking. For building positions, discuss construction setout. If you are unsure, send the address and describe the next decision you need to make.

What is the difference between topographical and as-built surveys?

Topographical surveys record existing site features and levels for planning and design. As-built surveys record completed work for documentation and project requirements.

Can surveying and utility locating be combined?

Yes. Discuss a combined brief if you need located underground services recorded alongside measured site information. The extent and deliverables are agreed before work starts.

Subdivision

Understand the survey stages behind a subdivision.

Can you help before the design is final?

Yes. Early survey information can support your planner and designer while the proposal is being developed.

Which subdivision types do you work on?

Urban and rural subdivisions, multi-lot developments, unit titles and cross-lease conversions. Contact us with the address and proposal to discuss the survey stages.

Do I need resource consent?

Most Auckland subdivision proposals require resource consent. We can manage the consent and survey stages with the relevant planners, engineers and consultants.

Can Hall manage the full subdivision process?

Yes. We manage the agreed stages from site assessment and consent applications through civil design integration, as-built plans, Land Transfer and final certification. Scope and responsibilities are agreed before work starts.

How long does a subdivision take?

Timing varies with the proposal, design work, approvals and construction stages. We discuss the survey programme alongside your project team rather than promise a fixed timeframe.

Boundaries & construction

Get clear on boundaries, setout and construction records.

Does my fence show the legal boundary?

Not necessarily. Discuss a boundary survey before relying on a fence position for new building or fencing work.

What plans do you need for setout?

The current drawings and revisions, required positions and levels, site access details and contractor timing. We also need to know who can confirm the design instructions.

When should construction monitoring start?

Discuss it before the relevant works begin so baseline measurements and the repeat-visit requirements can be agreed with your engineer.

GPR & utility locating

Plan investigations around underground services.

Why use both GPR and electromagnetic locating?

The methods provide different evidence. Electromagnetic locating traces conductive services or tracer wires, while GPR can help investigate other buried features. Findings are compared with available plans and site observations.

Can every buried service be found?

No. Ground conditions, target depth and size, access and congestion affect detection. The report communicates findings and limitations; it does not guarantee that every service has been identified.

Can I request a survey plan or DWG?

Yes. Discuss the report plus survey option if you need located features picked up and delivered as an agreed survey plan or DWG.

Booking & deliverables

Prepare your brief and understand what comes next.

What should I send for a quote?

Send the site address, a short description of the work, required timing and relevant plans. Include any brief from your architect, engineer or contractor.

What if I do not know the service name?

Describe your project and the information you need. We can help identify an appropriate survey scope.

How is the price agreed?

The scope depends on the site, access, fieldwork, deliverables and required visits. Send the brief so we can discuss a quote for your project.

Survey instrument on a tripod in the field

PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP

Your project.
The right survey.

Subdividing, building or investigating your site? Send us the address and a short brief. We’ll help you identify the survey work you need.

Silverdale based. Working across Auckland.
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