What is a GPS survey?
A GPS survey is used to quickly gather large volumes of highly precise location data over large areas. GPS technology connects to multiple satellites and doesn’t need a line of sight between two points. This gives it an advantage over other surveying equipment.
It enables our land surveyors to measure data in areas where sight lines are an issue. This can be caused by obstructions or be due to surveying such large distances. We can then check the GPS data against the Ordnance Survey National Grid.
GPS surveys enable us to provide cost savings to projects by reducing our surveyors’ time on-site and minimising human errors. We offer standalone GPS surveys that provide a centimetre level of accuracy for land, property or construction sites. We can even provide accurate GPS survey solutions in areas with no mobile signal. Our skilled surveyors use our GPS technology alongside our other surveying equipment to support a range of survey solutions.
When can a GPS survey be useful?
Typical project uses
Benefits of GPS surveys
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How does GPS surveying work?
GPS surveying equipment uses receivers that collect signals from satellites to calculate their own position on the ground. They calculate this data relative to the grid reference system of Ordnance Survey.
Today, almost all of our surveys are co-ordinated to Ordnance Survey (OS) using GPS. A GPS kit can be used on its own or alongside a total station to establish survey control to OS grid and level.
Our GPS site survey techniques
Our GPS work is carried out to Network RTK Best Practice. This is the standard that all professions use to provide the OS coordinated position for a point on the Earth. This includes grid and level information, like ground level or a building corner. It provides a common locational language for design and construction professionals related to Ordnance Survey.
If the survey area has mobile phone signal, we can provide real time OS coordination and the site grid level. We use real-time kinematic (RTK) systems to achieve the highest possible accuracy and the most reliable GPS data. Our GPS kit is combined with Leica SmartNet, which uses the mobile phone network to provide 24/7 GNSS (Global Navigational Surveying Systems) data. This enables us to collect data and provide repeatable centimetre-accurate positioning in real time.
In areas with no mobile connection, we can use our GPS system’s base stations and radios to gather data across a two mile radius. We can process this data afterwards and link it to the OS for positions and levels.
Why choose Cheshire Surveys
We provide a range of surveys and related services across the North West, Cheshire, North Staffordshire and North Wales.
Passion & technical expertise
25+ years experience
Quality services tailored to your project
Meet our team on site
How are our GPS surveys carried out?
We will arrange all access requirements with you in advance. We need your site to be as clean and tidy as possible. We also need you to inform us of any health and safety issues that could impact how we access the site.
There may be circumstances where the site visit has to be postponed. These include severe weather, access issues or restrictions on site that impact our ability to carry out the survey.
Once the survey has been successfully completed, our surveyor will process the data and create the survey drawing. We share our GPS surveys with you in PDF and CAD formats. Our CAD drawings are compatible with a range of CAD software packages for design and engineering.
How much does a GPS survey cost?
The cost of a GPS survey is influenced by numerous factors so we price every project individually. Size is one factor, but we have to consider more than that. If you have a large open site with few features, this can cost less to survey than small sites with lots of features.
The cleaner and tidier the survey area is the better – removing any unnecessary clutter makes the surveying less challenging and therefore less costly.
Example GPS survey prices
Agricultural field survey
Our GPS surveying equipment supported a level survey for 28-acres of farmland. We produced a grid of levels at 10m intervals relative to OS coordinates. Our survey results were used to improve the drainage of arable fields.
Estimated cost: £1200 + VAT
Trial pits for a redevelopment
We visited the site of an urban redevelopment project that needed to dig multiple trial pits. This would enable them to expose the site’s old cabling and also inform the installation of new cabling. Our surveyors used our GPS surveying equipment to record the position of the 10 trial pits to OS coordinates.
Estimated cost: £650.00 + VAT
Development site volumetric and levels surveys
A development project had completed demolition work on its 2.5 acre site. Our GPS technology supported new level and volumetric surveys of the post-demolition material mounds. This provided the project’s construction companies with up-to-date data so they could prepare accurate quantity calculations.
Estimated cost: £750 + VAT
How we work
Step 01
Request a quote
We’ll need your project’s address and a site plan. We’ll then get in touch for a consultation to confirm site details and understand exactly what your project needs.
Step 02
Quote accepted
Once your project is confirmed with us, we’ll arrange a convenient date for your survey.
Step 03
We complete your survey
We’ll visit your project site to carry out the survey. We can meet you on site if needed. We will then process the survey data and create a survey drawing.
Step 04
Receive your survey
We’ll share the survey data with you, usually within a few days. We use industry standard file types and can issue all the drawings in multiple formats.
Who we work with
Explore by project
More surveys we offer
Topographical Surveys
Accurate, scaled plan of a site’s terrain, and a record of the position and levels of both manmade and natural features.
Measured Building Surveys
3D site survey of a building’s layout and structure that can also be used to produce floor plans, elevations and cross-section drawings.
As-Built Surveys
A fully up-to-date record of what has just been constructed, ensuring it matches the proposed plans. Useful for producing further plans that require an accurate site layout.
Boundary Surveys
Clearly understand your boundary lines, remove uncertainty around neighbouring land, and prevent disputes.
Floor Level Surveys
Quality survey check for various floor construction stages, from existing floors to newly constructed slabs.
Garden Surveys
Highly detailed, specialist topographical survey for garden landscaping and redesigns.
GPS Surveys
Ideal for covering large open spaces, like fields, or where access may be restricted or challenging.
Ground Investigation Services
Reliable and accurate location data for ground investigations like CBR tests, boreholes and trial pits. We record data and mark out investigation and monitoring points.
Movement Monitoring Surveys
Tracking and recording movement or alterations, such as crack monitoring and land movements, in either a built structure or a landform.
River & Floodplain Surveys
Surveys of riverbanks and beds, as well as adjacent floodplains. We record water levels and significant features for flood risk assessments and erosion monitoring.
Road Surveys
Comprehensive record of current road layouts and levels, including kerbs, street furniture and road markings. Ideal for visibility splays and new highways designs.
Setting Out
Geocordinated setting out services for building groundworks and steelworks for new housing, commercial and industrial sites.
Surveys for Land Registry Title Plans
Site surveys for creating Land Registry compliant plans to record areas of sale, transfer, correction or first registration.
Volumetric Surveys & Terrain Models
Measuring the total amount of stockpiled, extracted or collected materials and aggregates. Suitable for construction, calculating and auditing.
