Land Surveyor with Total Station in Field
LAND SURVEYING

The Modern Surveyor's Workflow

Cut ALTA survey field time by 55%

See exactly how drone LiDAR transforms your workflow, reduces crew hours, and delivers survey-grade accuracy—with real project comparisons and pricing.

From Field Control to Final CAD in Days, Not Weeks

Traditional survey methods are reliable but don't scale. When projects demand 500-acre topographic surveys or dense vegetation penetration, field crews face weeks of dangerous, labor-intensive work.

ROCK Robotic provides the complete ecosystem—hardware, software, and services—to capture survey-grade data in hours, process billions of points without crashes, and deliver CAD-ready files your clients can use immediately.

ALTA/NSPS SURVEY PLAYBOOK

The Complete ALTA Survey Solution

ROCK Robotic enables licensed surveyors to deliver ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys faster and more profitably by pairing high-accuracy drone LiDAR (ROCK Ultra) with ROCK Pro Services for topographic and planimetric extraction.

32-48%

Cost Reduction

1-3

Day Delivery

1-2cm

Survey Accuracy

You Still Control:

  • Boundary decisions and legal certification
  • Utilities coordination and Table A requirements
  • Total station pickup for critical features
  • PLS seal and final deliverable quality

Understanding ALTA/NSPS Surveys (2021 Standard)

Complete boundary, title, and improvement surveys to national standards

Core Requirements

  • Records research (title commitment Schedule B, prior plats/deeds)
  • Field measurement and monument recovery
  • Boundary analysis and PLS certification
  • Table A optional items as requested

Common Table A Items

  • Item 5:Vertical relief with contours (1-ft or 2-ft typical)
  • Item 9:Parking counts and striping (urban/commercial)
  • Item 11a:Utilities from observed evidence and records
  • Item 11b:Private utility designating when requested

A-to-Z Workflow Comparison

See exactly where ROCK Ultra saves time and money

Traditional Method

1

Kickoff & Records

4-6 hrs office

2

811 Ticket & Locates

Schedule marking

3

Control & Boundary

4-8 hrs field

4

Data Capture

8-16 hrs RTK/TS detail

5

QC & Processing

4-6 hrs office

6

Extraction/Drafting

12-20 hrs CAD work

7

Boundary & Certification

PLS review & seal

ROCK Ultra Method

1

Kickoff & Records

4-6 hrs office

2

811 Ticket & Locates

Schedule marking

3

Control & Boundary

2-4 hrs field

4

Data Capture

30-45 min flight + spot TS

5

QC & Processing

1-2 hrs with ROCK Desktop

6

Extraction/Drafting

1-3 days Pro Services

7

Boundary & Certification

PLS review & seal

The Complete ROCK Ecosystem

1. Capture with Survey-Grade Hardware

ROCK Ultra LiDAR System

ROCK Ultra

RECOMMENDED

The surveyor's choice for large sites and dense vegetation. 1000m range lets you fly at 400ft AGL for maximum efficiency and safety.

1000m
Max Range
7 Returns
Vegetation
1-2cm
Accuracy
1550nm
Wavelength
Explore ROCK Ultra
ROCK R3 Pro V2

ROCK R3 Pro V2

The versatile 3-in-1 system for aerial, mobile, and handheld SLAM scanning. Perfect for corridors and mixed indoor/outdoor projects.

3-in-1
Modes
1.28M
Pts/Sec
360°
FOV
SLAM
Ready
Explore R3 Pro V2

2. Process with Professional Software

ROCK Desktop

ROCK Desktop

Field processing and QC before you leave the site. PPK trajectory processing, coverage verification, and rapid visualization in minutes.

  • Immediate data verification
  • PPK/RTK processing
  • No costly re-flights
Learn About ROCK Desktop

ROCK Cloud

Process massive datasets that would crash your workstation. Ground classification, reprojection, and alignment to control—all in the cloud.

  • Handle 100GB+ datasets
  • Web-based visualization
  • Share via simple links
Discover ROCK Cloud

3. Deliver with Pro Services

ROCK Pro Services

Your on-demand drafting team. Order deliverables with one click from ROCK Cloud and receive professional CAD files in 48 hours. AI-powered extraction with human QC ensures survey-grade quality.

DTMs & Contours at any interval
Planimetrics: buildings, roads, utilities
Breaklines for TIN generation
Delivered to your CAD standards
Explore Pro Services
Pro Services Pricing (per acre)
ROCK Surveyor$3-10
Planimetrics (Rural)$15-25
Planimetrics (Suburban)$25-35
Planimetrics (Urban)$35-50+

Use Area of Interest tool to only process what you need

Real ALTA Survey Project Comparison

Based on actual project data and industry-standard billing rates

Traditional Method

COST BREAKDOWN

Pre-field (Records, 811)$585
Field Crew (18 hrs)$3,510
Utility Locator (4 hrs)$1,040
Office/CAD (18 hrs)$1,653

TIMELINE

14 days
Total Project Cost
$6,788

ROCK Ultra Method

COST BREAKDOWN

Field Crew (9.5 hrs)$1,852
Utility Locator (4 hrs)$1,040
Office/Boundary (7 hrs)$986
Pro Services (Full Plan)$750

TIMELINE

3 days
With Full Planimetrics
$4,628
Save $2,160 (32%)
With Topo Only
$4,378
Save $2,410 (36%)

Summary: All Three Scenarios

ScenarioTraditional CostROCK + PlanSavingsROCK + TopoSavings
Urban Strip Mall
1 acre
$6,788$4,628
$2,160
(32%)
$4,378
$2,410
(36%)
Greenfield
5 acres, dense vegetation
$6,942$3,880
$3,062
(44%)
$3,630
$3,312
(48%)
Mixed-Use
3 acres
$7,171$4,822
$2,349
(33%)
$4,572
$2,599
(36%)
45-55%

Less Field Time

32-48%

Cost Reduction

75-85%

Faster Delivery

3-5

Projects to ROI

What ROCK Pro Services Delivers

Professional extraction services that integrate seamlessly with your workflow

What Pro Services Does

  • Classify point clouds - Generate bare earth DTM and accurate contours at any interval (Item 5)
  • Extract planimetric linework - Curbs, ramps, striping, signs, fences, walls, building footprints
  • Package deliverables - DWG/DXF/LandXML/SHP with your layering standards
  • Provide QA artifacts - Control report, check-shot residuals, notes on data gaps
  • Fast turnaround - 1 day for topo, 2-3 days for full planimetrics

You Retain Control Over

  • Boundary adjudication - Legal opinions and boundary decisions remain your responsibility
  • PLS responsibilities - ALTA certificate and seal authority stays with you
  • Subsurface utilities - Item 11 caveats apply; 11b designating remains separate
  • Monument setting - Construction staking and monumentation by your field crew
  • Client relationships - Direct communication and project management

Pro Services Pricing Guide

Transparent per-acre pricing with minimum orders. Use Area of Interest tool to process only what you need.

ROCK Surveyor

$3-10

per acre

Basic DTM & contours

Rural Planimetrics

$15-25

per acre

Low density features

Suburban Planimetrics

$25-35

per acre

Moderate complexity

Urban Planimetrics

$35-50+

per acre

High detail density

Note: Minimum orders typically $500 (topo) or $750 (planimetrics). Contact for volume pricing.

Industry Standard Billing Rates

Use these rates for accurate project estimation and ROI calculations

Office Roles

PLS / Project Manager$180/hr
Project Surveyor$150/hr
CAD Technician$120/hr
Survey Technician / Analyst$110/hr
Admin / Coordinator$95/hr

Field Crews & Equipment

2-Person Robotic/RTK Crew$195/hr
3-Person Crew (as needed)$260/hr
Private Utility Locator$260/hr
ROCK Ultra Flight Time30-45 min
Traditional Topo Collection8-16 hrs

Note: Rates shown are industry averages for the US market. Adjust based on your region and market conditions.

Control, Targets, and Accuracy Standards

Achieve survey-grade accuracy that meets ALTA/NSPS certification requirements

Control Setup Best Practices

Primary Control

  • Establish 2-3 primary control points tied to project datum
  • Add traverse legs where GNSS is occluded
  • Capture with GNSS RTK/PPK and total station as needed

Aerial Targets

  • Place 6-12 targets based on acreage and geometry
  • Include independent check points not used in adjustment
  • Validate with check shots and report RMSE/95% stats

Small Sites (1-3 acres)

  • Aerial targets6-8
  • Check points2-3
  • Control points2-3
  • Setup time1.5-3 hrs

Medium Sites (3-10 acres)

  • Aerial targets8-12
  • Check points3-5
  • Control points3-4
  • Setup time2-4 hrs

Accuracy Achieved

  • 1-2cm vertical accuracy
  • 2-3cm horizontal accuracy
  • RTK/PPK trajectory processing
  • ALTA 2021 compliant
  • 95% confidence reporting

Protect Your Team & Your Business

ROCK Ultra dramatically reduces field exposure and operational risks

Traditional Survey Risks

Dangerous terrain exposure - Crews traversing cliffs, steep slopes, dense woods with snakes, ticks, poison ivy
Traffic hazards - Working alongside highways, in medians, crossing active roadways
Weather dependency - Multiple days of perfect conditions needed; rain delays entire projects
Line cutting injuries - Chainsaws, machetes, heavy equipment in rough terrain
Repetitive strain - Days of carrying equipment through difficult terrain

ROCK Ultra Safety Advantages

Minimal field exposure - 30-45 minute flights replace days of dangerous fieldwork
Work from safe areas - Fly at 400ft AGL with 1000m range; no need to enter hazardous zones
Weather flexibility - Need just 1 hour window; capture entire site between rain events
No vegetation clearing - 7-return LiDAR penetrates canopy without cutting
Reduced insurance claims - Fewer worker comp incidents and equipment damage

Why This Matters for Your Survey Business

💰

Lower Insurance Costs

Reduced field exposure means fewer claims, lower premiums, and better safety ratings

👥

Better Employee Retention

Keep skilled surveyors happy with safer working conditions and modern technology

📈

Win More Contracts

Deliver faster with fewer weather delays; take on dangerous sites competitors avoid

The Bottom Line: ROCK Ultra isn't just about efficiency—it's about protecting your most valuable asset: your people. When crews spend 55% less time in the field, they face 55% less exposure to hazards. That's fewer injuries, lower insurance costs, and a competitive advantage in hiring and retention.

We Ensure Your Success

Comprehensive training and support from Day 1

🎓

ROCK Academy

48+ modules covering ALTA workflows, control setup, and CAD integration

Start Learning →
🤝

1-on-1 Onboarding

Personal setup sessions focused on your typical projects and workflows

Learn More →
💬

Expert Support

US-based geospatial professionals for mission planning and troubleshooting

Get Support →

Resources for Land Surveyors

Case studies, workflows, and insights from surveyors using ROCK Robotic

Transform Your Survey Business

Join 500+ survey firms already using ROCK Robotic to win more bids and increase profits

ROCK Robotic | Drone LiDAR Systems & Cloud Mapping Software