Back to basics: How to choose your setting out partner
Choose someone who has the time to do the job when you need it done. This may sound obvious, but you don’t want to be engaging someone to carry out a contract, only to find that they make a rush job of it, or haven’t sufficient time, enthusiasm or inclination to provide a professional […]
Apprenticeships: Surveying your future direction
Skills for life One avenue into the profession is apprenticeships and National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a great vehicle for highlighting a multitude of careers to prospective candidates. This year’s event runs from 5-11 February and is the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships. The week brings together everyone who is passionate about apprenticeships and celebrates […]
What are UU surveys and why are they important?
Into the unknown While surface topographical surveys will map what can be seen above ground, ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used to identify and pinpoint what is hidden from sight and buried underground. You’ll usually be looking at developing a site if you carry out an underground survey, but they can also be used for […]
The PAS128 accreditation and why it’s important
Quality and accuracy As part of our geospatial survey offering, we can locate the presence or absence of underground services on prospective building sites. To do this, we use ground penetrating radar (GPR) and other electromagnetic equipment. As a member of the professional body, The Survey Association (TSA), our membership allows us to apply to […]
Powers’ 12 posts of Christmas – a look back at 2023
January At Powers, we are committed to looking at ways in which we can reduce our carbon emissions in the ongoing journey towards net zero. To this end, we reviewed our carbon emissions in January and updated our environmental targets for 2023 https://tinyurl.com/mvpznb3f. We were also pleased to see the launch of the Save Construction […]
Understanding the first principles of surveying
What are the first principles of surveying? Accuracy and precision Geospatial and land surveying requires precise and accurate measurements to ensure reliable results. Surveyors must adhere to strict standards and use appropriate instruments and techniques to achieve accurate measurements. However, this on its own is not enough. While the equipment can provide accurate data, it […]
A level playing field – specifications and certifications
Specification vs certification Specification means we’ll work to a client’s spec, which can be tailored accordingly, simplified or spec’d up. A specification working to a RICS Code of Measuring Practice (6th Edition) spec, for example, means that we will follow a certain specification for carrying out different types of surveys. Certification means we are audited […]
Visualising future cityscapes – accurate measured viewpoints
Placed in context Urban development is always on the agenda and it’s important to be able to depict how the final results will appear when in situ, in respect to other buildings. We are very involved in this part of the urban development process. As part of our land and buildings surveying services, we offer […]
The importance of collaboration
Geospatial surveyors are key collaborators with many different professions. They can be part of many processes and also can contribute to the form and shape of projects beyond their timelines. It’s important to ensure that land surveyors become involved at as early a stage as possible, so that clients can ensure they get the team […]
Working to grid: What happens when contractors use different control grids?
The control grid – a single version of truth This single version of truth is generally a control grid. This is a network of horizontal and vertical lines superimposed over a map or building plan and used for locating points within a construction site. The control points are reference points with known coordinates and are […]