Surveying has moved beyond the total station. QGIS and drone mapping are free to learn and increasingly expected on site.
Step 1: Learn QGIS
- UN Maps Learning Hub: free QGIS training
- QGIS map layout tutorial (YouTube, free)
- Download QGIS (free and open source)
Step 2: Drone mapping
- Plan drone mapping missions in QGIS (free FlyPath plugin workflow, YouTube)
Site context
Combine this with solid total station fundamentals. Engineers who can deliver a drone survey plus a proper CAD drawing are hard to find in Nepal.