Topographical + Utility Surveys = Seamless Site Start

When you're under pressure to hit a programme and control costs, your surveys need to be sharp, accurate and efficient. But what many still underestimate is how much smoother the entire process runs when topographical and utility surveys are done first — and done properly.

At AKN Engineering, we’ve started pairing our topographical surveys with PAS 128 utility detection as standard on highways and infrastructure jobs across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. Here’s why…

Combining topographic and utility surveys streamlines pre-construction planning—shown here, an AKN Engineering surveyor carries out precise underground service detection alongside GPS and total station work.

Surveys Are the Real First Step

People often think a project kicks off with setting out, but in reality, it begins long before that. Without accurate, up-to-date data about what’s above and below the ground, you're setting yourself up for delays, redesigns, or worse.

Topographical and utility surveys are now essential for both initial design and pre-construction verification. Services may have been moved, added, or removed since the design was issued, and ground levels may not match what’s on paper. We’ve seen drainage layouts clash with unrecorded ducts, and site access reconfigured because topo data missed key details.

That’s why these surveys aren’t optional extras anymore — they’re fundamental groundwork.

Why Combine Topo + Utility Surveys?

Bringing both together at the start gives you three big wins:

1. Smoother Design & Planning

By providing both the surface and subsurface details upfront, designers can make better-informed decisions before it hits site.

2. Fewer Delays & Rework

Spot clashes early and resolve them in the design phase, not during excavation or setting out.

3. Joined-Up Data & Teams

We provide both surveys as a single, integrated package. One team, one workflow, one accurate dataset

What Is PAS 128 and Why Is It Important?

PAS 128 is the recognised UK standard for underground utility surveys. It sets out the methodology and defines how accurate the survey should be, with Type B surveys most commonly used for pre-construction.

We follow PAS 128 using GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) and EML (Electromagnetic Locators) — meaning you get reliable, clearly classified data.

Real Example: Smarter Site Start

On a recent highways scheme in Essex, our topo and PAS 128 survey picked up an unrecorded electricity duct running through a planned drainage line. The clash was resolved in design, not halfway through the build.

Result? Zero delays, no rework, and a clean handover to the groundworks crew.

Why It Pays Off

Skipping topo or utility surveys to save time or budget often backfires. One utility strike can cost £30,000+ in direct costs and lost time, not to mention safety risks and potential HSE investigations.

For more on the risks, download the HSE’s guide to avoiding danger from underground services.

AKN Engineering: Smarter Surveys for Better Starts

We now offer topographical surveys, utility detection, and setting out engineering as a fully integrated service. That means:

• Less admin, fewer suppliers
  

• Joined-up data for better design and build
  

• Cleaner handovers between survey and site engineering
  

Planning work in Herts, Essex, Cambs, Suffolk or Norfolk? Start strong — with accurate, joined-up survey data.

👇 Click here to Contact us today for more information on our services.