Perfect planning

Joe explains: “My day starts at 08:00 when the surveyors come in to pick up their equipment, check RAMS have been created and review the project brief one final time before heading out for the day. At the beginning and end of every week, we have a planning meeting where the senior team discuss how the jobs will be distributed, based on the surveyors’ skills and expertise. I make sure that the site plans and briefs are prepared well in advance so the surveyors can prepare for their projects along with access to the site, and assign the kit they need, before they load up the vans and head out to complete their survey projects.

Building a picture

“As well as processing data and drawing up floor plans and elevations, a large part of my role also includes pricing up survey projects and dealing with any client queries. Google Earth is a fantastic tool to aid accurate pricing, as you can use 3D and street view to understand what you are working with and build up a picture of the issues and challenges a job might present on the ground. You have to remember that Google Earth photos are set at a point in time though and where there may have been, for example, scrub, it could now have been cleared, which can make the difference to how long it takes for data to be captured on site.”

Clear communications

The role of the senior surveyor provides an opportunity to work closely with the client to understand how they plan to use the survey information and drawings when they are complete. Clear communication is vital and Joe says: “The greater the understanding I have of what the client requires the surveys for, the better the final result will be, as I will be able to relay the client’s requirements onto the final drawings. Understanding the end use of the drawing also helps me to offer a quote that will give the client value for money as I can work out the exact specification of the survey job and what data they do and don’t require. Excess labour used through additional, unnecessary data capture can add a huge amount to a quote, as well as knowing what accuracy tolerances the client is working to. Millimetre accuracy requires longer on site with the use of different types of equipment and longer digital processing, all of which can affect the price quoted for work.”

Tape measures to laser scanners

With a constantly changing array of projects to work on, there is always something new to take into consideration. Joe explains: “I relish the opportunity to constantly learn new ways of working. I am always looking for ways to streamline the process and improve efficiency and speed of data capture and digital interpretation. I have seen some huge differences to how we work, even over the last four to five years. From tape measures to laser scanners, I am fascinated to see where the technology and the profession go next.”

Reflecting reality

Joe continued: “I have had the opportunity to work on all types of buildings, carrying out all kinds of surveys over the years. I love the chance to produce a visual representation of what is there – making it look good and a true reflection of the reality.  I particularly like MBSs for this. A couple of the projects I have especially enjoyed working on include an apple pie factory – for obvious reasons(!) and the Ruskin Museum because of its unusual oval shape. It made it really interesting to draw up.”

The future in 3D

Looking ahead, Joe is keen develop his and his team’s complex 3D modelling and his management skills. “I have been studying and working in Revit for some time and have been experimenting with it on a number of projects. The level of detail that can be achieved with Revit is brilliant and I’ve found it to be a great support to visual designers and architects by creating that initial model of a building from 3D laser scans on which further designs for development and refurbishment can be made. I’m also really enjoying developing my team and working on the future strategy of measured building surveys in Powers”.

For more information on Powers, visit the website: https://powersuk.com/about/