We do trig all the shots from the TS and we run a level loop through the traverse. It is company policy to set BM with topos.
For elevation certificates a level is faster and easier than setting up a total station unless you can see everything you need to pick up from one setup.
If you are doing large or precise data sets go digital. They actually do have maintenance issues just like other equipment. Some of the old ones where the case was designed wrong will not stay adjusted unless you lay the case flat.
A decent autolevel will run a few hundred. You can peg and adjust it yourself and it will last until you do something bad to it...
I bought an expensive automatic level with a high power telescope and other features set apart from the ordinary types. It is well worth it to have long sights when leveling over miles. I would recommend it's use it for elevations over a surveying instrument used for traversing.
