Quantity &
Volume Surveys
Earthwork and stockpile volumes computed from captured data. Meyer Land Surveying measures cut, fill, and material quantities using LiDAR, drone photogrammetry, and traditional survey methods — delivering PLS-certified calculations for pay applications, owner verification, and project management.
Accurate Volumes. Certified Results.
A quantity and volume survey is the authoritative measurement of how much material has been cut, filled, or stockpiled on a construction or earthwork site. Meyer Land Surveying captures existing and design surfaces using the most appropriate method for the site — terrestrial LiDAR scanning, sUAS drone photogrammetry, or conventional total station survey — then computes certified volumes in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Quantity surveys support contractor pay applications, owner quantity verification, project progress tracking against the mass haul plan, and final as-built earthwork documentation. Every volume calculation is reviewed and signed by a California Licensed Land Surveyor, providing a legally defensible, independently certified number.
Because Meyer Land Surveying operates across the full Drone and Scans spectrum — LiDAR, sUAS, 3D imaging, and topographic mapping — quantity surveys can be delivered as a standalone service or integrated into a broader site capture workflow, eliminating redundant mobilisations and reducing overall cost.
Three Ways We Measure Your Site
Meyer Land Surveying selects the capture method based on site size, access, required accuracy, and schedule — or combines methods for the most complete picture.
Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning
Ground-based laser scanning captures millions of precise 3D points of stockpiles, cut slopes, and fill areas in minutes. Best for confined sites, complex geometry, and restricted drone airspace. Delivers millimetre-level surface accuracy and a full point cloud for archival and re-analysis.
sUAS Drone Photogrammetry
FAA Part 107 certified drone flights tied to GNSS ground control points produce survey-grade orthomosaics and digital terrain models across large open sites in a single mobilisation. Ideal for active earthwork sites, large stockpile yards, and borrow areas where speed and coverage are priorities.
Conventional Total Station
Traditional ground survey using GNSS and total station is used for smaller sites, dense vegetation, or projects requiring cross-sections at defined stations. Volumes are computed using the average-end-area or prismatoid method to produce certified cut and fill quantities.
From Field Capture to Certified Volume
Control Setup
GNSS control is established and tied to the project coordinate system. For drone surveys, ground control points are set and measured to survey-grade accuracy before the flight.
Surface Capture
The existing surface is captured using the selected method — LiDAR scanning, drone photogrammetry, or total station cross-sections — with full coverage of the volume area.
Surface Processing
Captured data is processed into a TIN surface in AutoCAD Civil 3D. Drone data is processed in Pix4D before import. The surface is reviewed for voids and artefacts before volume computation.
Volume Calculation
Cut, fill, and net volumes are computed by comparing the captured surface against the design or previous survey surface using the prismatoid or average-end-area method as appropriate.
Certified Report
A certified volume report — signed and sealed by a California Licensed Land Surveyor — is delivered with supporting surface files, calculation backup, and a pay-application-ready summary.
Common Applications
Quantity and volume surveys are used throughout the construction lifecycle — from pre-bid baseline through final as-built closeout.
Contractor Pay Applications
Independent, PLS-certified volume calculations give owners and contractors a trusted basis for progress billing — eliminating disputes and speeding payment cycles on earthwork contracts.
Mass Haul Tracking
Periodic quantity surveys track earthwork progress against the mass haul plan — identifying over-excavation, under-fill, and material balance issues before they become costly change orders.
Stockpile Inventory
Aggregate, soil, and material stockpiles are measured and certified for inventory management, royalty calculations, and material balance reporting at quarries, yards, and staging areas.
Final As-Built Earthwork
A final quantity survey documents the as-built earthwork condition for project closeout, contract compliance verification, and owner records — providing a permanent certified baseline for the site.
Existing Conditions Baseline
A pre-construction quantity survey establishes the existing surface as a certified baseline — protecting owners and contractors from disputes over starting conditions and pre-existing material volumes.
Regulatory & Permit Reporting
Certified volume calculations support grading permit compliance, SWPPP reporting, and regulatory submittals that require independently verified earthwork quantities.
Standard Deliverables
Request a Quote for Quantity & Volume Surveys
Tell us about your project and we will respond within one business day with a detailed proposal tailored to your site, method, and scope.