What Is the Most Accurate Equipment for Setting Out Large Highways Projects?
Not all equipment is equal when it comes to setting out highways projects. Learn which instruments deliver the highest accuracy and why — plus how AKN Engineering ensures every design line is built right.
GPR Limitations Explained: Why It Detects Disturbances (Not Every Utility)
GPR surveys can’t see everything — they detect disturbances and metallic objects beneath the surface. Learn why a layered approach gives safer, more accurate results on UK construction sites.
National Security Underground: The Utilities You’ll Never See on a Plan
Not everything beneath the surface is meant to be found. Some underground utilities are classified — hidden for national security reasons. Learn how utility surveyors identify the invisible networks that keep the UK running safely without ever appearing on a plan.
Cut, Fill, and Cost: How Accurate Volume Analysis Protects Your Budget
Every cubic metre matters. Find out how accurate volume analysis protects your construction budget from hidden cut and fill costs.
UK Coordinate Systems Explained: Why the Right Choice Matters for Survey Control
Using the wrong UK coordinate system can mean centimetre-level misalignments. Learn how to avoid costly errors with OSM15 vs OSM32.
How to Transfer DWG Plans to a Construction Site with Precision
Moving from CAD drawing to ground needs millimetre precision. Discover how AKN Engineering sets out DWG plans to keep your project on time and on spec.
Local Coordinates and GNSS: How to Align Them for Accurate Site Engineering
Learn how to align GNSS with local site coordinates and why calibration files are critical for highways and machine control projects.
What an As-Built Survey Actually Tells You
An as-built survey is more than a drawing – it’s proof of what’s been built. Here’s what it tells you, why it matters, and how it helps contractors and clients.
The Hidden Costs of Poor Survey Data (and How to Avoid Them)
One small survey error can snowball into big problems—programme delays, cost overruns, disputes, and safety risks. Learn how to avoid them and keep your project on track.
Topographic Survey or As-Built – Which One Do You Actually Need?
Topographic survey or as-built survey – what’s the difference, and which is right for your project? This guide explains the purpose of each, when to use them, and how asking for the right survey helps avoid delays, disputes, and scope creep.
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Site Engineering
Mistakes in site engineering can delay projects and increase costs. This guide breaks down the top 5 issues we see on site—and how to avoid them with clear, practical steps. A must-read for project managers, engineers, and construction students.
Setting Out Methods in Construction: A Practical Guide for Highways and Infrastructure Projects
Setting out in construction is essential for accurate project delivery. This guide covers 8 key methods used on UK highways, from baseline to GPS, with insights from AKN Engineering Ltd…
The Value of Experience in Site Engineering: How It Saves Time, Cost, and Quality
Experience isn’t optional in site engineering — it’s essential. Discover how our trained engineers at AKN Engineering prevent rework, reduce costs, and improve construction quality through expert setting out and real-world awareness.
Working with Main Contractors: Building Strong Partnerships for Success
In construction, strong partnerships with main contractors can be the difference between a project that runs smoothly and one that faces constant challenges. At AKN Engineering, we prioritise building solid, long-term relationships with our main contractor clients, enabling us to deliver seamless, high-quality projects across Hertfordshire and the South East of England.

