Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Site Engineering

Avoiding common site engineering mistakes can be the difference between a smooth, on-time build and a project that gets bogged down with delays and rework. Whether you’re managing a highway scheme or a housing site, small errors on site can snowball fast.

At AKN Engineering, we support projects across Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, offering site engineering, volume analysis, topographical surveys and more. Based on years of experience, here are five practical site engineering tips to help you avoid engineering mistakes and keep your job running smoothly.

Avoiding costly site engineering mistakes starts with good habits on site. Here’s our engineer setting out on a highways scheme in East Anglia—accuracy, communication, and early checks make all the difference.

1. Not Checking IFC Drawings Before Starting

This is one of the most common site engineering mistakes. Starting work before confirming you’re using the latest Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings can lead to setting out errors, clashes, and costly rework.

Tip: Always double-check your drawing revision and compare it with the site’s live register. Use a drawing issue sheet or adopt a process like the HSE's guidance on managing information for construction to help control what’s being used on site.

2. Assuming Survey Control is Accurate

Many engineers trust existing control without verifying it. But on busy or previously disturbed sites, control stations might have shifted or been incorrectly installed. This can throw your entire set out off by centimetres.

Tip: Always validate existing stations and install your own checked control where needed. For guidance on establishing accurate control, see Ordnance Survey’s OS Net services.

3. Poor Communication with Site Teams

Even when your setting out is spot on, if the team on the ground doesn't understand the marks or doesn’t get a proper briefing, errors can still happen. This is especially common with subcontractors who weren’t part of the initial pre-start.

Tip: Use clear mark-ups and hold quick walk-throughs before key stages. Print annotated PDFs or use mobile tools to share plans. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has excellent advice on improving communication on site.

4. Ignoring Tolerances and Specs

Every trade has a tolerance to work within—but when you don’t know what those tolerances are, it’s easy to sign off work that doesn’t meet spec. On highways in particular, level and alignment tolerances are tight and enforced.

Tip: Get familiar with the spec documents early. For highway projects, consult the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) to understand tolerances for kerbs, drainage, pavements and more.

5. Leaving As-Builts Too Late

Many teams leave their as-built surveys until the end of a section, only to realise key data is missing or hasn’t been logged properly. Without reliable as-builts, QA suffers, and disputes become harder to resolve.

Tip: Record your as-built data regularly, not just at handover. Digital tools or field-to-office workflows help. The Institution of Civil Engineers provides further insights into QA and documentation practices in engineering.

Good site engineering isn’t just about knowing how to use a total station or GPS—it's about staying alert, communicating clearly, and building strong habits. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’re already on track for smoother handovers, fewer delays, and a more professional outcome.

For more insights into Land Surveying and Setting Out in Construction, and to explore our full range of service reach out to us here. We’re here to support your projects with our expertise and dedication to quality.