Utilities Field Services Controlling Survey Costs

Many utility companies both private and public have robust project pipelines going into 2022. Although business is strong, the current labor shortage has led to increased competition, increased labor costs, and capacity constraints. None of these are new issues, but the pandemic has certainly exacerbated the challenges; none of which is cheap.

The average cost to hire a land surveyor is $510, but a range of cost factors come into play

Exactly locating, aligning, and marking in the field projects using maps, GPS or other correlator equipment is critical to controlling costs and protecting margins. Once these points are determined, and following safe dig practices, these survey points need to be marked in ways not subject to changing. Lost or moved survey markers will result in added project costs and delays.

Choosing the Most Cost Effective Survey Marker

In the utilities industry, field worker techs have a variety of options including wire marking flags, wooden stakes, stake whiskers and more. Key to choosing the right ground marker are factors including how long do they need to be in the ground and visible, what kind of weather conditions will be in the area, what kind of equipment will be in the area, how many need to be placed and how many may need to placed and later repositioned as changes occur in the project.

Stake Whiskers are For the Long Run

For heavier commercial or industrial use in compacted soil or gravel for longer deployment periods, stake whiskers, also known as stake chasers, stake flags, nail whiskers or marking whiskers are considered the better option by many field techs. These can be purchased with either 7 inch lightweight or 6 inch galvanized stakes.

Trail Chasers® brand stake whiskers are available in UV resistant select APWA and international code colors including long lasting orange, yellow, blue, white, green, pink, red, and purple in packages of 10 or 25 with lightweight stakes or package of 20 with hard ground stakes.

Plan Ahead and Save on Project Costs

A well-planned, well supplied project with clear goals/vision with correct tool selection would help create a roadmap for implementation will result in saved project costs and shorter delays.

Surveyors PRO TIP

Lightweight stakes are great for carry, but sometimes the ground is harder than anticipated. Use a ¼” x 12 in. drill bit (carbide preferred) on a cordless drill to predrill a ground hole. This will make placement much easier; especially for projects requiring many to be laid out.