Topographic Surveys

The existing-conditions map every grading, drainage and site design is built on — contours, spot elevations, utilities and features, on your project datum.

Request a Quote (313) 633-4941

Overview

What a Topographic Survey actually involves

A topographic survey records what is physically on and under your site: ground elevations, contours, existing structures, pavement, trees, drainage features, and visible or recorded utilities. It is the base map an engineer designs against — and the accuracy of everything downstream depends on it.

Because AXIS is licensed for both surveying and civil engineering, the topographic survey we deliver is built to feed directly into grading and drainage design. There is no hand-off between two firms, and no reconciling one company's datum against another's.

When you need one

Typical triggers

Site plan or grading design

No municipality will review a grading plan that is not built on measured existing conditions.

Drainage problems

Establishes where water actually goes before anyone proposes a fix.

Large or wooded parcels

Determines feasibility and earthwork volumes before you commit to a layout.

Additions and expansions

Confirms how a new footprint ties into existing grades and drainage.

Questions

Topographic Surveys FAQ

It depends on the terrain and what the plan is for. One-foot contours are typical for relatively flat Michigan development sites; steeper ground or detailed grading may call for tighter intervals. Tell us the end use and we will specify it with the quote.

We locate visible surface structures and map utilities from records and from markings provided by MISS DIG. Physically locating buried lines requires a separate subsurface utility engineering scope, which we can arrange when a project needs it.

For large, open sites, yes — UAV photogrammetry produces very dense surface data efficiently. For wooded ground, tight tolerances, or anything under canopy, conventional total station and GNSS work is more reliable. We choose per site, not by default.

Need a quote for topographic surveys?

Send us the parcel and what the work is for. We reply within one business day, and we will tell you honestly if you need something different from what you asked for.

(313) 633-4941 Use the quote form