Element Land Surveying is one of the oldest professions. It involves the research and fieldwork required to locate property lines for ownership and legal documentation purposes.
Using advanced technology, such as GPS and remote sensing, enables a high level of precision and efficiency. This is especially useful for larger-scale projects where speed and accuracy are essential.
Boundary surveys are the cornerstone of land surveying. They establish property lines, preventing disputes and providing legal validation for land ownership. Moreover, they’re vital in constructing and improving residential, commercial and industrial properties. Boundary and land surveys are similar in many ways, but each comes with its own unique applications and nuances. Choosing the right one for your specific needs will significantly impact the outcome of your project.
To conduct a boundary survey, professional land surveyors use research and calculations in conjunction with fieldwork. They start by visiting the courthouse or examining public records to gain knowledge of property deeds and historical maps. They also visit adjoining properties to search for existing boundary evidence like monuments and fences. Once the data has been gathered, they set up a control network of known points called a traverse. These reference points are used to locate existing monuments and find new ones during the field work phase. The surveyors will then compare their findings to the original research and adjust accordingly.
The final product of a boundary survey includes a plan, a written description and property corners marked with either wooden posts or iron pins, marking pipes or monuments in concrete. Additionally, it will indicate the location of any encroachments that may exist on the property due to easements or other limitations on land use by adjoining owners.
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or looking to expand your current property, knowing the precise location of your legal boundaries is crucial. This ensures that you’re not building beyond your property’s boundaries, which is called encroachment. Additionally, it prevents disputes with neighbors and ensures that you’re not violating your local zoning regulations.
In addition to boundary surveys, land surveys can also determine floodplain information. This information is useful for homeowners, developers and businesses that are considering building a structure on a site that’s currently in a flood zone. This information can be critical in avoiding costly infrastructure and development projects that might require a variance from your local government.
Topographic Surveys
Topographic Surveys are a specialized form of land surveying. They focus on the accurate measurement and mapping of a land’s natural and manmade features, including terrain, elevation changes, and existing structures. A surveyor uses specialized technology to scope out all the details on a plot of land and create a detailed map for designers and developers. Topographical surveys provide a wealth of information about a property’s natural and manmade features, making them an essential part of the construction process.
Having a complete picture of the development site before construction begins reduces the risk of costly mistakes down the road. Engineers, architects, and builders can use the data obtained from a topographic survey to design features that will integrate seamlessly with the land’s natural landscape. A topographical survey can also reveal important historical details about a site, such as how its landscape has changed over time.
A topographical survey is a vital tool for anyone planning to build on a plot of land, as it displays the land’s contour lines, elevation changes, and key features in a 2D or 3D digital rendering. It also provides detailed information about a site’s existing drainage channels, vegetation, and buildings. In the construction industry, this information is essential for designing roads and other structures that will not impact or cause damage to surrounding areas.
Besides the construction industry, topographic surveys are also used in other fields, such as geology, forestry, and petroleum, and by government municipalities when developing and enforcing zoning regulations. They can also be useful when resolving disputes between neighbors about land boundaries, driveways, and trees.
The process of completing a topographic survey includes assessment, data collection, processing, and the production of a finished survey report. Depending on the size and complexity of the survey, it may take days or even weeks to complete. Surveyors use precise instruments to collect data, such as total stations and electronic distance measuring (EDM) devices, and then process the information to determine the location of features on a site’s surface. These data are then displayed as contour lines on a finished site map, and can be enhanced with computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Elevation Surveys
Land Surveyors use elevation surveys to document natural and man-made features on property like elevations, contours, streams, trees, buildings, and more. These surveys can help engineers, developers, and architects in their design plans as well as inform land-use decisions. When conducting a topographic survey, it’s important to research local requirements so your field crew is equipped with the right tools to capture accurate data. This prevents costly and time-consuming changes in the process.
A land surveyor will often create a contour line map to illustrate changes in elevation on a plot of land. These lines can be drawn close together to represent peaks and valleys or spread out to display gentle slopes. When combined, these contour maps create a 3D image of the property’s landscape.
Boundary and land surveying services are important for homeowners, real estate buyers, architects, developers, insurance providers, and more. They serve a wide variety of purposes, from safeguarding against flood risk to resolving boundary disputes. Land surveyors can provide a number of different types of surveys, each designed for specific uses and legal requirements.
For instance, boundary surveys delineate property boundaries to help owners understand where they can build structures like fences without encroaching on neighboring plots. These surveys are also used during development projects to determine where roads, utilities, and other infrastructure will be placed on a site.
Other types of surveys include topographic and flood certificates, which are primarily used by property owners and insurance providers. Flood certificates are required by FEMA for properties located in flood zones, and they note the lowest building point and other information to help insurance agents assess a property’s risk.
Both elevation and flood surveys require the expertise of a licensed professional. Land Surveyors are the best choice for obtaining these reports, as they have the training and knowledge to accurately gather and record necessary data. They can also assist with interpreting the results of the report to ensure accuracy and legality.
Construction Surveys
Construction surveys play essential roles in a variety of projects, including establishing property lines, evaluating land suitability, guiding construction placement, and facilitating real estate transactions. Land surveyors use specialized equipment to gather data and produce a CAD-drawn, survey-grade map of the subject parcel for legal documentation purposes. Depending on the project, surveyors also perform research and conduct tests to verify the accuracy of their work.
In addition to determining boundaries, surveyors can also mark the locations of buildings, roads, and utilities on construction sites. These marks help ensure that a construction project is placed accurately according to the design plans and can minimize mistakes. This process is known as staking. Surveyors can also use their knowledge of a region to reduce the amount of time spent on site. They can also identify any issues such as wetlands, slopes, and floodplains that could negatively impact a construction project.
Land surveyors can also conduct environmental surveys, which are important for ensuring that a building or development is safe to build on a specific piece of land. These types of surveys determine if a parcel is suitable for a particular project based on its soil and topography, and they can also indicate whether it’s located within a floodplain or on a wetlands easement.
A land survey is an essential tool for any homeowner or business owner. Not only can it establish property lines, but it can also help prevent disputes with neighbors and ensure that all building and development work is conducted legally.
If you’re considering having a land survey done, be sure to contact a reputable and experienced company. They will be able to provide you with reliable and accurate results that can save you money in the long run. They’ll also be able to advise you on the best type of survey for your needs.
