Earthwork Takeoffs
Cut and fill quantities calculated from your plans before you bid. Know your dirt before you commit to a number.
Learn MoreTopographic Surveys for Texas Earthwork and Civil Contractors
Site topo collected via drone or GPS rover. Fast turnaround. Clean data that feeds directly into your earthwork model and machine control workflow. Lone Star Layouts collects topo data via drone or ground rover and delivers clean, usable survey data that plugs directly into your Civil 3D workflow or your engineer's design process.
Backed by Stone River Excavation, 11 years Texas earthwork experience
10+ years hands-on BIM, modeling, and layout experience
Trimble, Topcon, Leica and Civil 3D certified
The problem
A Grade Design Built on Bad Topo Will Cause Problems Before the First Machine Moves
Earthwork designs are only as accurate as the topo data they're built on. If the existing ground surface in your Civil 3D model doesn't reflect actual site conditions, your cut and fill quantities are wrong, your machine control model runs to the wrong existing grade and your design may not account for drainage conditions that are already on the site.
Most topo problems show up after mobilization, when the machine operator reports that the existing ground doesn't match the model. At that point the design has to be revised, the control files have to be rebuilt and your schedule has absorbed the cost.
Accurate topo collected before design begins eliminates that entire chain of problems.
Our solution
Schedule My Topo Survey
Topo Collected Right, Delivered Fast, Ready to Build From
We collect topographic data via drone photogrammetry or GPS ground rover depending on site conditions, access and accuracy requirements. Both methods produce point cloud and surface data that exports cleanly into Civil 3D for use in earthwork design, machine control modeling and quantity takeoffs.
Field collection coverage extends across Texas. For most standard sites, topo data is processed and delivered within two to three business days of fieldwork.
What's Included
What You Receive with Every Topographic Survey
Drone or Ground Rover Data Collection
We select the collection method based on your site. Drone photogrammetry covers large open sites quickly and cost-effectively. Ground rover collection works for sites with tree cover, structures or access constraints that limit drone accuracy. For some sites, we use both.
Point Cloud and Surface Data
Your deliverable includes the raw point cloud and a processed surface model in formats compatible with Civil 3D and standard civil design software. LAS, LandXML and AutoCAD-compatible formats available.
Contour Map Generation
We generate contour maps at the interval required by your design team or engineer. One-foot and two-foot contour intervals are most common for earthwork planning. Custom intervals available on request.
Feature Location and Boundary Data
If your site has features requiring location, including existing structures, drainage swales, utility markers, fences or property corners, we capture those during the same field collection visit and include them in the deliverable.
Civil 3D Compatible Surface Export
Your topo data is exported in a format that loads directly into Civil 3D as an existing ground surface. Your engineer or BIM technician doesn't need to process raw data files. They open the surface and design from it.
Accuracy Report
Every topo delivery includes an accuracy report confirming the datum, coordinate system, collection method and point density. If your engineer needs to verify the survey method for design purposes, they have the documentation.
Collection Methods
Drone vs. Ground Rover: How We Choose
The right collection method depends on your site. We make the recommendation based on site size, canopy cover, access conditions and your accuracy requirements. Both methods produce deliverables that feed into the same Civil 3D workflow.
Drone Photogrammetry
Best for large open sites without significant canopy cover. Drones collect thousands of data points per square foot rapidly, making this the most efficient method for sites above two to three acres. Ground control points are set before the flight to establish datum accuracy. Typical accuracy: 1 to 2 inches vertical, 1 inch horizontal on open sites with proper ground control.
GPS Ground Rover Collection
Best for smaller sites, heavily vegetated areas, or sites with existing structures that break drone sightlines. Ground rover collection is slower per acre but achieves high accuracy in conditions where drone collection would underperform. Typical accuracy: sub-inch vertical and horizontal with RTK-corrected GPS.
Combined Methods
For large sites with mixed conditions, including open areas and wooded or obstructed sections, we may use drone collection for the open areas and ground rover for the constrained sections. The resulting surface data is merged into a single deliverable.
Process
How a Topographic Survey Project Works
Step 1
Share Your Site Information
Tell us your site location, approximate acreage, any known access constraints and your required accuracy level. If your engineer has a specific topo spec, include it. We'll confirm the collection method before scheduling.
Step 2
We Scope, Quote and Schedule
We review your site information, recommend a collection method and provide a quote and field schedule. If the site requires a pre-visit assessment, we'll flag that before committing to a price.
Step 3
We Collect Field Data
Our crew collects topo data using the confirmed method. Ground control points are established before drone flights. Rover collection follows a planned traverse pattern for consistent coverage. Most site visits are completed in a single day.
Step 4
We Process and Deliver
Field data is processed into your deliverable package: point cloud, surface model, contour map and accuracy report. Most deliverables are returned within two to three business days of field collection. Files are delivered in your required format.
Service areas
We Work Across Texas. And Anywhere a File Can Travel.
Our remote services go where the project is. Our field crews cover the major earthwork corridors across Texas.
Related Services
Often Paired with Topographic Surveys
3D Modeling and BIM Services
We take your CAD files and survey data and build the 3D model your GPS equipment needs to run. Earthwork contractors see productivity increases of 33-40% on GPS-guided sites versus conventional layout.
Learn More
GPS Grade Control Modeling
We produce the machine control files your dozers, graders and scrapers run directly. Trimble, Topcon and Leica format. No translation layer, no guesswork.
Learn More
FAQ
Have more questions? Call now
Frequently Asked Questions About Topographic Surveys
What size sites do you cover?
We survey sites from under one acre up to several hundred acres. Drone collection makes large sites efficient. Ground rover handles smaller or constrained sites. Contact us with your acreage and we'll recommend the right method.
Do you collect topo in wooded or obstructed areas?
Yes. For heavily vegetated areas or sites with structures that break drone sightlines, we use GPS ground rover collection, which achieves high accuracy in conditions where drone collection would underperform. On large sites with mixed conditions we may combine drone and rover collection and merge the results into a single surface deliverable.
What datum and coordinate system do you use?
We collect to the datum and coordinate system your design team or engineer requires. Every delivery includes an accuracy report confirming the datum, coordinate system, collection method and point density, so your engineer can verify the survey for design purposes.
How quickly can you schedule field collection?
Once we've confirmed your site information and the collection method, we provide a field schedule along with your quote. Most site visits are completed in a single day, and for standard sites topo data is processed and delivered within two to three business days of fieldwork.
What software formats do you deliver in?
We deliver in formats compatible with Civil 3D and standard civil design software, including LAS, LandXML and AutoCAD-compatible formats. The processed surface loads directly into Civil 3D as an existing ground surface, so your engineer or BIM technician doesn't need to process raw data files.
Do you need to visit the site before quoting?
For most sites we can scope and quote from your site location, approximate acreage, access constraints and required accuracy level. If a site requires a pre-visit assessment, we'll flag that before committing to a price.
Get Accurate Site Topo Before Your Design Starts
Send us your site location, approximate acreage and project timeline. We'll recommend the right collection method, quote the project and schedule your field crew. Most deliverables are returned within two to three business days of fieldwork.
Field collection available Texas-wide. Most quotes returned within one business day.