LAND SURVEYING

Success on your next engineering project begins with a quality survey. HLR’s surveyors are known for their accuracy and responsiveness.

Start Your Project with Accurate Land Surveys Across Illinois

Success on your next engineering project begins with a quality survey. HLR’s surveyors are known for their accuracy, responsiveness, and ability to serve communities across Illinois and beyond, with offices in Elgin, Crystal Lake, Springfield, and Mt. Carmel. Whether you're in the northern, central, or southern regions of Illinois, our team is equipped to handle your surveying needs across the entire state.


If it can be measured, we can survey it. From route and stream surveys to full-service right-of-way acquisition, construction staking, and GIS surveys, HLR provides the base data engineers need to develop projects and support construction partners. We utilize cutting-edge technologies, including electronic survey instruments, drones, GPS receivers, and real-time data transfer, to deliver precise information necessary for starting and completing projects efficiently.


Exceptional Surveying Backed by Clear Communication

Surveying isn’t just about mathematics, physics, engineering, and law—it’s about communication. Our Professional Land Surveyors and survey technicians implement proactive communication techniques from the start of each project, ensuring we align with your objectives and address any unique challenges. In addition to serving all regions of Illinois, HLR is also equipped to handle surveying projects in neighboring states, ensuring your needs are met, wherever your project is located.

  • ULTRA HIGH-PERFORMANCE 3D LASER SCANNING

    Our highly qualified and experienced staff utilizes the latest technology to develop safe, innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet your project goals. The introduction of the RIEGL VZ-400i by RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems allows us to provide cutting-edge 3D laser scanning and waveform processing LiDAR technology for a wide range of applications while maintaining the highest level of safety. In addition to traditional survey methods, the scanner can be mounted on a vehicle for stop-and-go scanning to reduce the risk of hazardous situations. Scan data can be processed in a variety of platforms, including RIEGL’s RiSCAN PRO for Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) projects, TopoDOT® for MicroStation Connect, Revit® and AutoCAD® by Autodesk, Power Line Systems software for electric grid projects, and many other platforms.


    Applications include, but are not limited to: As-built surveying, civil engineering, Building Infrastructure Management (BIM), 3D topographical modeling, architecture and facade measurements, forensics and crash scene investigation, city modeling, tunnel surveying, forestry, research, and monitoring.

  • TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS

    By utilizing state-of-the-art equipment that includes drones, GPS, total robotic stations, sonar equipment, etc., we provide topographic mapping ranging from project site plans to large-scale countywide projects. This provides our clients with the necessary framework for their projects by mapping both natural and manmade features. The data collected can then be delivered in a wide range of formats such as AutoCAD and MicroStation CAD files, ESRI shapefiles, and point cloud files. Our team will ensure an accurate topographic survey, resulting in fewer headaches, as you begin the design and layout for your project.

  • ROUTE SURVEYS

    Roadways, highways, railroads, utility, and water and sewer line projects often require a route survey to help determine existing conditions. When accuracy matters, your choice of land surveying companies is key. Whether the project is public or private, 1 mile or 50, our professional land surveyors will utilize their decades of experience to provide you with the most reliable route surveys.

  • BOUNDARY SURVEYS

    For thousands of years, it has been the surveyor’s duty to the community to accurately locate property boundary lines. Our team can perform surveys of municipal boundaries, road right-of-ways, residential lots, commercial developments, and farms. By joining forces with Lamac Engineering in 2015, HLR added a wealth of boundary survey experience in southern Illinois and Indiana. Utilizing the latest technologies and equipment, no boundary is too big or too complex. We also specialize in surveys in sectionalized areas, French Donations and Locations, riparian surveys along rivers and lakes, and State line surveys.

  • DRONE SURVEYS

    Drones are the perfect platform for aerial photography and remote sensing. In 2014, we received exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing us to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct precision aerial surveying, construction observation, mining surveying/inspection, aerial photography, and utility monitoring. With our senseFly eBee drone, we can provide you with up-to-date, high-resolution aerial photography for any project.

  • CONSTRUCTION LAYOUT

    Once construction projects are ready to be built, our survey crews can help lay out the improvement, turning two-dimensional line work on plan drawings into an exciting, three-dimensional reality. We utilize the latest robotic surveying equipment, digital levels, and computer modeling software to maximize efficiency. Our extensive field experience allows us to communicate and coordinate effectively with the project owner/site representative during the course of the project and resolve questions quickly.

  • RIGHT-OF-WAY SURVEYS / MAPPING / PLATS

    Our survey department regularly prepares plats of highways, parcel plats, and legal descriptions required for land acquisition by public agencies. We also support our client’s need for accurate mapping information for various uses. Other survey services include annexation plats, vacation plats, TIF district mapping, subdivision plats, and many others. We have the knowledge and experience to provide you with the survey product you are looking for.

  • ALTA / NSPS LAND TITLE SURVEYS

    The American Land Title Association/National Society of Professional Surveyors (ALTA/NSPS) standardized a survey format that would be acceptable to title companies for the purpose of insuring title. Lenders, title companies, and property owners rely on HLR to provide accurate and complete ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys including optional items listed in Table A.