What is the Importance of Lining and Pegging?

Boundary lines and the practice of pegging out, also called setting out, occurs as part of the land survey. Land surveys are one of the first tasks that occur before beginning a new construction project. Land surveying is the process of determining the positioning of specific features of a property, especially for a new property that does not already have a property line marked or when adding on or building new structures. Engineers often perform this function and are typically experts in the field. A land survey examines existing records and ensures that boundary lines are correct. Surveying is important because it helps engineers ensure construction is done safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

There are several types of surveys: topographic, boundary, right-of-way, location, construction, and marine. Topographic surveys focus on three-dimensional aspects of land, such as trees, elevation, and roads. Boundary surveys identify property lines. Right-of-way surveys consider how public and private property intersect with each other. Locations surveys compare current property lines with previous records to ensure that current property lines are accurate. Construction surveys consider all relevant topography, boundary, natural resources, and elevation before beginning construction. Marine surveys analyze bodies of water.

What is Survey Lining?

When an engineer is surveying the land for a project, they must take into consideration the lines of walls, utilities, and other elements necessary for constructing a structure. The surveyor must determine where these elements already are, if present, and where new ones will be placed. 

What is Survey Pegging?

Another step during the surveying process is marking boundaries and other important positions on the construction site using survey pegs, also called survey stakes. These pegs are made of various sizes of wood, metal, or plastic. Additionally, these pegs have colored tops to help keep the site organized and easily identifiable. 

Several survey pegs exist, including indicator, boundary, dumpies, and residential. Indicator survey pegs usually have a white top that makes it easy to write on. Boundary survey pegs are further categorized into point, paint, and chamfer and are most often used in subdivision construction. Dumpies survey pegs are used for specific positioning of installation. As the name suggests, residential survey pegs are used to pinpoint residential structures. 

Who Conducts Lining and Pegging? 

Survey engineers are specialist civil engineers who use special tools to determine the spatial infrastructure of an area. Survey engineers use a combination of digital and physical tools to map the layout of an area prior to construction beginning. These individuals work with a team of other engineers to ensure that construction plans are safe and efficient. 

Why is Survey Lining and Pegging Important? 

The process of lining and pegging during the construction survey is important for several reasons. Surveying the job site before beginning a project ensures an appropriate plan is created from the get-go. Lining and pegging can help determine which construction projects are appropriate and which ones may not be feasible. Lining and pegging determine where current utilities are installed and where new ones need to be placed. The process of surveying enables the engineering team to determine the viability of a project and provide important details for contracts, such as financial impacts, specifications, lighting, materials delivery, and various other services. 

Finally, the most important reason for conducting survey lining and pegging is to ensure a safe job site – for every worker and visitor that sets foot on the location. All of the other best-laid plans will not matter if the construction site is unsafe. A lack of safety planning can result in a project being doomed before it even begins.