Topographic Mapping
What is Topographic Mapping?
Topographic mapping (often called a topographic or “topo” survey) is a detailed map of your site’s elevations and features. It shows contours, spot elevations, and breaklines along with visible improvements (buildings, pavements, walls), drainage features, vegetation limits, and observed utilities—giving designers an accurate surface to plan grading, drainage, and construction.
What we capture
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Ground elevations (contours & spot shots) and key breaklines (curbs, swales, ridges)
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Site features: buildings, roads, sidewalks, retaining walls, fences, trees of specified size
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Drainage: inlets, ditches, channels, culverts, low points/high points
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Utilities observed at the surface; we can coordinate utility locates for subsurface mapping
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Control points and benchmarks, with stated horizontal/vertical datums
How we collect it (Hawaii Surveying)
We combine advanced technologies to work faster without sacrificing accuracy:
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GNSS and robotic total stations
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3D laser scanning/LiDAR for dense point clouds
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Drone aerial mapping (photogrammetry or LiDAR) for larger or difficult terrain
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Hydrographic options for ponds, shorelines, and outfalls
Typical deliverables
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CAD files (DWG/DGN), surface model (TIN/DEM), and your chosen contour interval
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Annotated PDF map with legend, notes, and datums
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Point files, control reports, and (if requested) volume/earthwork calculations
When you need a topo survey
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Site design & permitting (grading, drainage, roadway, utilities)
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As-built documentation
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Cut/fill estimates and construction planning
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Pre- and post-construction volume comparisons
Hawaii-specific notes
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We work in Hawai‘i State Plane zones and common datums (e.g., NAD 83 / NAVD 88 or project-specified).
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Dense vegetation, lava, and steep slopes often benefit from drone LiDAR or terrestrial scanning for complete coverage.
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Shoreline mapping and CZM/SMAs may require additional standards beyond a standard topo.
Why would you need a Topographic Survey?
When designers or contractors need an accurate picture of ground elevations, contours, and site features to plan grading, drainage, utilities, and construction—before work starts and for as-builts after.
Common reasons to order a topo survey
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Design & permitting: Provide engineers/architects with existing ground (EG), contours, and breaklines for grading, drainage, roadway, and utility design.
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Site planning & feasibility: Understand slopes, low/high points, and constraints early.
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Construction prep: Establish quantities (cut/fill), staging areas, and tie-in grades.
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As-builts & closeout: Verify finished grades, pads, and drainage after construction.
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Drainage issues: Diagnose ponding, flow paths, and retrofit options.
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Utilities & corridors: Map visible features and elevations for coordination and conflict checks.
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Volume measurements: Stockpiles, borrow pits, and pay quantities.
When in the project timeline
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Pre-design baseline (most common)
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Pre-construction (to confirm bid/design assumptions)
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During construction (progress/quantity checks)
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Post-construction (as-built verification)
What you receive from Hawaii Surveying
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CAD-ready surfaces (TIN/DEM), contours at your chosen interval
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Breaklines & planimetrics (curbs, edges, walls, inlets, etc.)
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Spot elevations and control/benchmark notes with stated datums
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PDF deliverables with legend and annotations; optional DWG/DGN, LAS/LAZ
How we capture it (fast + accurate)
We pair field expertise with GNSS/RTK, robotic total stations, terrestrial LiDAR, and drone photogrammetry/LiDAR to cover everything from tight urban sites to large, rugged terrain—delivering speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Hawaii-specific notes
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Work in Hawai‘i State Plane and common vertical datums (e.g., NAVD 88 or project-specified).
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Dense vegetation and steep slopes often benefit from drone LiDAR or terrestrial scanning for full ground coverage.
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Shoreline/CZM areas may require additional standards beyond a standard topo.
Hawaii Surveying serves Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi.
Proud members of Operating Engineers Local 3 (OE3).
Ready to get started?
We're eager to learn about your project and get to work providing a fast, precise, and high-quality solution based on your needs.