setting out for construction

Transferring the design from CAD to the ground with the precision every trade that follows depends on.

What is Setting Out for Construction?

Setting out is the process of transferring the design from CAD or BIM into real-world positions on the ground or structure.

Using a control network, robotic total stations and GNSS where appropriate, a site engineer marks the exact points, lines and levels needed for the build – whether that is a building corner, a drainage run, a bolt location, a grid intersection or a finished formation level.

This is one of the most important construction survey tasks because every trade that follows is affected by it. If the setting out is wrong, the error usually multiplies through the job. That is why the correct approach is always to work from the latest approved drawing issue, check it against the original survey and upload calculated coordinates directly to the instrument rather than relying on hand calculations.

Our process

All total stations are calibrated annually by a trained professional, with a certificate of calibration available before site visits.
Architect and engineer drawings are checked and overlaid on the topographic survey to detect any discrepancies before we arrive on site.
Setting out coordinates are calculated in CAD software and uploaded directly to our Leica total stations – no manual calculations, greatly reducing the risk of human error.
Once work is completed on site, our surveyors verify that the building position aligns with the design, checking orientation, position from boundary and relationship to adjacent structures and roads.
Individual peg checks are carried out by tape measure at random intervals to confirm size and shape. All measurements are recorded on the site plan.
All site engineering work is recorded meticulously within our ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 audited management systems, providing a robust audit trail for every project.

Applications

Building corners, grid lines and wall positions
Pile caps, holding down bolts and structural steel
Drainage runs, manholes, kerb lines and road geometry
Slabs, service penetrations and plant bases
Retaining walls, stair cores and lift shafts
Modular, logistics or fit-out datum transfer inside structures

Benefits

Builds to design first time, with less snagging and rework
Helps subcontractors start work with confidence
Reduces risk of clashes between structure, drainage and services
Creates a clear audit trail for quality checks
Protects budget by avoiding expensive corrections later in the programme

Deliverables

Set out points, offsets, lines and levels on site
Coordinate schedules and marked-up setting out sketches
Reference stations and witness marks for re-establishment
Check measurements and deviation notes where required
Optional as-set-out or phase verification records

Why Choose Powers?

Our site engineers use Leica robotic total stations and GPS/GNSS equipment, check drawings against the site survey and upload coordinates to instruments to reduce human error.

We can support anything from one-off visits to regular day-rate attendance – often a better-value option than a full-time site engineer when survey input is only needed at key stages.

Our Services

Topographic Land Surveys

Measured Building Surveys

Underground Utility Detection Surveys

Site Engineering

Boundary Surveys

Geospatial Consulting & Support

Site Engineering Surveys in Action

Our site engineering surveys support confident decisions across a wide range of projects. Explore how Powers’ data has helped clients move from uncertainty to clarity.