TERMONOLOGY
Alta Surveys: ALTA/ACSM Surveys: Usually referred to as ALTA Surveys, these surveys are performed on commercial properties. They determine property lines, locate improvements, and identify easements, utilities, schedule B exceptions, and many other conditions affecting the property. They show the boundaries, buildings, improvements, and encroachments on the property. ALTA/ACSM surveys are the most comprehensive of all surveys.
As-Built Survey: a survey conducted several times during a construction project to verify, for local and state boards (USA), that the work authorized was completed to the specifications set on the Plot Plan or Site Plan. This usually entails a complete survey of the site to confirm that the structures, utilities, and roadways proposed were built in the proper locations authorized in the Plot Plan or Site Plan.
Builder's Packages: the economical solution to provide all of the land surveys and certificates that you will need for city permits for the construction of a new home or commercial building. Typically three trips are made to the property to perform the needed work which includes the following:
- 1st Trip: A Property Line Survey staking the corners of the property is performed, and a Proposed Certificate of Elevation is submitted.
- 2nd Trip: After the slab has been poured or the floor has been added,a slab survey is done. If required by the parish a building under construction certificate is issued, and a form survey (location of form on the lot is prepared.
- 3rd Trip: Upon completion of the building (when the building is ready to be moved into and all equipment is hooked up to the building), a FEMA Final Elevation Certificate is issued, along with a survey plat showing the improvements.
Boundary Surveys: These surveys are also called Property Line Surveys and, like the ALTA land surveys, show all boundaries, buildings, improvements, easements and encroachments on a property. They also establish the true property corners. Boundary surveys are typically performed to obtain building permits, to resolve property disputes, and for erecting fences. Easement lines may also be located, if requested, with this type of survey.
ELEVATION CERTIFICATE: An elevation certificate requires us to transfer an elevation from a FEMA or HCFCD (Harris County Flood Control District) bench mark (a monument stamped with the elevation) to obtain the actual ground and finished floor elevation of your property at mean sea level. This is done by starting at the Bench Mark and surveying all the way to the subject property maintaining the Elevation datum as we traverse. This information can then be compared to the base flood elevation in that area.
Geodetic survey: A survey of a large area of land in which corrections are made to account for the curvature of the earth.
GPS (The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) developed by the United States Department of Defense and managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. It is the only fully functional GNSS in the world, can be used freely by anyone, anywhere, and is often used by civilians for navigation purposes. It uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 medium Earth orbit satellites that transmit precise radiowave signals, which allow GPS receivers to determine their current location, the time, and their velocity.
Since it became fully operational on April 27, 1995, GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying.
Industrial Plant Layouts: Involves establishing points for construction inside an industrial facility. It can also include the arrangement of items including equipment and rooms in an industrial plant, such as a manufacturing or processing plant.
Land Surveying: is the technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional space position of points and the distances and angles between them. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and are often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership or governmental purposes. In order to accomplish their objective, surveyors use elements of geometry, engineering, trigonometry, mathematics, physics, and law.
Lot Surveys: the boundaries are established and all property corners are marked on the ground and easily visible. A plat drawing is prepared (unless otherwise specified) that shows the boundaries, setbacks, easements of record, etc.
No Work Affidavit: An inspection is made by a surveyor of the property to determine that no work has started and that no materials have been delivered to the site. The inspection must take place on the same day that the No Work Affidavit Certificate is issued.
Photogrammetric Control: Control established by photogrammetric methods as distinguished from control established by ground methods.
Right of Way Survey: involves property ownership verification, obtaining right-of-entry, researching deeds, and creating a deed map.
A right-of-way is a type of easement that gives someone the right to travel across An easement is a right given to another person or entity to trespass upon land that person or entity does not own.
Slab Survey: will show the form (proposed slab) as it lies on the property. It will verify that it is within the setbacks and does not encroach any easements.
Topographic Survey: a survey that measures the elevation of points on a particular piece of land, and presents them as contour lines on a plot.
Wetland Delineation Survey: establishes the location and size of a wetland for the purposes of federal, state, and local regulations.
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