What are all these nails you set? Can I remove them?

In most projects, you’ll find large nails set in ground at seemingly random locations far from the property boundary. These are not boundary monuments- they are temporary control points used by surveyors at each location where the total station is set up to run a traverse network. These points are geographically referenced to each other and from a certain base point in order to determine the relative distances and angles to the survey monuments and relevant topographic features such as fences, building/foundation corners etc.

Normally, we will try to set these control points outside of the property boundaries such as in grassy boulevards, sidewalks, gravel etc., but if we need to measure the back yard details we will set nails (with orange ribbon for visibility purposes) in the ground at certain spots within the property.

We try not to inconvenience the property owner by setting them flush with the ground to avoid any hazard associated with tripping or mowing etc. Until the survey or job has been fully completed and signed off by the Ontario Land Surveyor, it is best to not to remove any of these temporary control points because if there is a need to come back and reset a new monument, having these control points already in the ground will make it quicker and easier to complete the project.