Survey Layout & Control

Site Work

Instrument Accuracy

InstrumentAccuracyUse For
Robotic total station (prism)± 1 mm + 1.5 ppmBuilding layout, bolts, steel
Total station (reflectorless)± 2 mm + 2 ppmAs-builts only — never layout
GNSS RTK fixed (local base)± 8–10 mm H / ± 15–20 mm VEarthwork, utilities
GNSS RTK fixed (NTRIP)± 10–15 mm H / ± 20–25 mm VEarthwork, topo
GNSS Float (NOT FIXED)± 200–500 mm HNEVER stake in float
Rotary laser± 1.5 mm @ 30 mForm tops, grading, floors

Never use reflectorless mode for layout. Never use GNSS for building layout.

Building Layout Tolerances

ElementTolerance
Anchor bolt location± 3 mm (total station only)
Anchor bolt group (bolt-to-bolt)± 3 mm
Anchor bolt elevation± 6 mm
Building control lines± 3 mm
Footing formwork± 12 mm
Foundation walls± 6 mm
Column plumb (per storey)H/500 or 25 mm max
Column base plate elevation± 3 mm (after shim/grout)
Slab-on-grade elevation± 12 mm

Concrete Tolerances (CSA A23.1)

ElementTolerance
Footing location (plan)± 50 mm
Footing top elevation+12 / −50 mm
Wall / column plumb25 mm in 3 m
Floor slab thickness−6 / +12 mm

GNSS RTK Rules

NTRIP Networks (Ontario)

Layout Verification

Layout Workflow

Total Station Setup Checklist

Machine Control (GPS-Guided)

Critical Rules — Do Not Forget

Pro Tips