Surveying teams for contractors: what 20 to 30+ crews look like on Saudi mega projects
How many surveying teams do large Saudi projects need, and what do they do? Real numbers from YAZ’s work on NEOM, Riyadh Metro, King Salman Park and Misk Schools.
The short answer
Saudi mega projects often need 20 to 30 or more surveying teams at once, one or more per work front. YAZ supplied more than 30 teams on Riyadh Metro, more than 25 crews at NEOM and more than 20 teams each on King Salman Park and Misk Schools, covering control, setting-out, earthworks and as-built checks.
Key takeaways
- Mega projects need many surveying teams because they are built on many work fronts at once.
- YAZ supplied more than 30 teams on Riyadh Metro and more than 25 crews at NEOM.
- More than 20 YAZ teams worked on King Salman Park and on Misk Schools.
- Teams from one company share the same control, procedures and technical office.
Large projects in Saudi Arabia are built on many work fronts at once: earthworks in one zone, structures in another, finishing in a third. Each front needs surveyors who set out the works and check them. That is why contractors on mega projects hire surveying teams by the dozen rather than one at a time.
How many surveying teams does a mega project need?
It depends on the number of work fronts and on the schedule, but YAZ’s own projects give real examples:
| Project | Surveying teams from YAZ | Worked with |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh Metro, Lines 4, 5 and 6 | More than 30 | Samsung C&T, Strukton, Freyssinet Saudi Arabia |
| NEOM | More than 25 crews | Survey consultancy with NEOM; crews for Nesma, Baytur, Azmeel, Saudi Binladin Group and joint ventures |
| King Salman Park | More than 20 | Nesma & Partners, Freyssinet Saudi Arabia, MBL |
| Misk Schools | More than 20 | Saudi Arabian Baytur |
What do surveying teams do on site?
The work changes with the stage of construction. On these projects YAZ’s teams covered:
- Earthworks: field surveys and level checks for excavation, filling and grading.
- Survey control: establishing and checking the points and benchmarks every other measurement depends on.
- Setting-out: grids, coordinates, positions and elevations for foundations, structures and infrastructure.
- Verification and as-built: measuring completed works and reporting differences from the drawings.
- Progress monitoring: at NEOM, field surveys and daily reports on progress percentages.
Why one company for many teams?
When many crews work for one surveying company, they share the same control, the same procedures and one technical office. Alignments and levels stay continuous between adjoining areas, and the contractor deals with one point of contact instead of many freelancers.
Teams that follow the whole project
On Misk Schools, YAZ’s teams supported Saudi Arabian Baytur through all construction stages, from site preparation and foundations to finishing works and as-built verification. Keeping the same company from start to finish keeps the same references across the job.
How to request surveying teams
Tell the surveying company the location, the number of work fronts, the start date and the expected duration. YAZ Development, with more than 50 active surveying teams, supplies teams by day, month or project: use the surveying teams request.
Common questions
How many surveying teams does a mega project in Saudi Arabia need?
It depends on the work fronts and schedule. On YAZ’s projects it ranged from more than 20 teams (King Salman Park, Misk Schools) to more than 30 (Riyadh Metro).
What does a surveying team do on a construction site?
It sets out works, maintains survey control, checks levels and positions during construction, and measures completed works for as-built records.
How many surveying teams does YAZ have?
More than 50 active surveying teams on construction and infrastructure projects across Saudi Arabia.
How do I request surveying teams from YAZ?
Send the location, number of work fronts, start date and duration through the surveying teams request form or WhatsApp.
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