An Urgent Task: Working in the Rain to Help a Client Solve a Pressing Issue
One afternoon, just before the end of the workday, I received an urgent Survey task. I was required to set a reference mark on-site early the next morning to provide a floor level reference for the completion of a building. Since time was tight, I needed to make all the necessary preparations the same day to ensure everything would go smoothly the next morning. The Client had not got sign off from Council and the level needed to be certified by a Land Surveyor.
Detailed preparation for smooth execution
To quickly familiarise myself with the task, I immediately started preparing. I reviewed all the relevant materials in advance and used various tools to analyse the site conditions, especially the layout and format of the geodetic marks. After completing these preparations, I felt confident about the next day’s task. Under Davids guidance I chose to use our RTK GPS. This set up is a Base station on a new mark at the front of the property and a rover to survey exisitng marks to tie into higher order conrol marks around the area. From this equipment and methodology we are able to set an accurate height for the builders to use to setout the floor level of the building.
Early the next morning, I drove to the work site, which was about an hour away. However, the weather was not on my side—it started raining heavily, and I had to work in the rain. Upon arriving at the site, I first filled out the Prestart Form on my SiteApp Pro, and then, based on the design plans, I identified a relatively suitable position for the reference mark. This careful planning not only ensured the mark’s accuracy but also avoid potential damage from vehicles or buildings during later construction.
Unexpected challenges
Just as I finished setting up the base station, a pilot vehicle guided a large truck carrying a prefabricated house onto the site. The homeowner, whose Council approval was delayed due to incomplete paperwork and not having a Surveyor involved earlier, urgently needed our certification to proceed with the house installation. Seeing the house arrive on-site helped me fully understand the homeowner’s sense of urgency, which only strengthened my resolve to complete the task quickly and help resolve their issue.
The pressure was on to get it right and get it completed urgently for the Client. At the same time, the neighbour approached me, asking if I could install a boundary peg for them. After confirming with my manager, I passed along the contact information to the neighbour and arranged for the subsequent survey work. This isn’t something we usually do as there is a lot of preparation required to calculate boundaries and prepare the data so that it can be used to setout the boundary. However in this case we had the boundaries calculated in the office and the data was sent to me to confirm the boundary. All four pegs of the property were located and one was out of position by about 0.5m. The peg had been ripped out by a Contractor and put back in the wrong place. This highlighted the importance of getting a Surveyor to check the boundaries rather than just relying on the position of the fence or even the position of the old peg as in this case the peg had been moved.
Difficultly surveying in the rain
The poor weather created numerous challenges for the survey work. Heavy rain had submerged several measurement marks, and even the covers were difficult to open. At first, I tried to remove the water using a bottle from the frame, but due to its relatively low position, the surrounding rainwater flowed towards it, so it didn't work. To locate the submerged marks, I had to roll up my sleeves and feel around in the water for the grooves of the marks. Each time I located one, I carefully placed the measurement pole in the correct position and used GPS to guide me, ensuring data accuracy.
The rain not only complicated finding the marks but also slowed down the entire process. To guarantee I was surveying the correct position, I added extra reference points for verification. While preparing for the house installation, the homeowner saw me working continuously in the rain, came over to express their gratitude, and once again emphasised how urgently they needed our certification that day.
The results of our efforts
After some effort, the reference mark was successfully set. Under David’s guidance, I also completed the boundary identification for the neighbour. By then, the rain had stopped, and I stood by the site, gazing at the distant mountains and clouds, breathing in the fresh air happy that I was able to add value to people as a Surveyor.
Final reflections
When I returned to the office, David had already prepared the Surveyors Certificate for the floor level. After processing the survey data, David quickly completed the final edits and review, and we promptly sent the report to the client. The client was very grateful for the certification and expressed admiration for our quick response and dedication to working in the rain. They were also thankful that we helped them turn around a difficult situation so quickly.
This task was not only a challenge but also an encouragement for me. Helping clients resolve their urgent issues through our work is the true value of what we do. It also deepened my understanding of the company’s core values: “When we connect with the land, we connect with people, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. New Zealand’s unique and varied landscape is at the core of who we are at Definition Surveying. We take pride in understanding and connecting with the land at a fundamental level in order to enrich it for future generations. When we invest in the land we invest in our people.”
This task also gave me an appreciation for the clients who get in touch early so that we can help them before we get to an urgent situation like this. It was great we were able to help and complete an urgent task and also work together as a team to do another job in the same day but it is much better when we have more time to do the preparation and checks so that we can always get it right.