Construction surveys are used before the construction process to establish desired positions for various structures. In many cases, this form of a survey will be used to mark locations for roads, sidewalks, building corners, and other critical structural elements. A survey is required to ensure accurate measurements are followed throughout the process.
A proper construction survey will focus on avoiding overlapping and encroachment issues. It will provide measurements to ensure construction work does not interfere with boundary lines or other restrictions. Local authorities in different councils will have various restrictions regarding boundary lines, easements, and setbacks. A construction survey helps you conform to these regulations.
In most cases, the surveying process will include staking out various measurements to create a physical blueprint on the construction site. These measurements are precise to ensure that the exact horizontal and vertical measurement requirements are followed.
Instead of staking the exact construction points, surveyors typically place them using an offset. This is a term used to describe a distance between a stake and an official construction point. This method is used to prevent excavation works from occurring at the exact staking point. It helps builders understand where the construction point is located without interfering with necessary excavation and construction.
Stakes are typically marked with “grades” or “offsets” to help building crews understand the distance between the marking point and construction point.
The impact of construction surveying is evident in the modern world. Almost all structures, roads, and paths in Colorado have been built using the assistance of construction surveys. This form of surveying is critical in determining the horizontal location of all new structures. It’s also essential in providing vertical information that assists with pipe flow and surface draining.
Below, let’s take a look at some of the construction survey services we provide to our clients.
Setback Verification Letter
- A “Setback Verification Letter” confirms that a setback distance honors the published setback provided.
- Setbacks dictate the amount of space required between a building or structure and a published boundary line.
- Local authorities typically determine setbacks.
Plot Plan
- This is used to provide an overall foundation outline. It includes easements, as well as the established measurements between the deed lines and the structure or building.
- There is a specific focus on ensuring that there is no interference with property lines, easements, or setbacks.
- This plan helps builders avoid potential issues with deed lines and property restrictions. It’s a critical component of the construction process.
Building and Improvement Layout
- We can stake out the various design points included in your plot plan to help exhibit the exact location of the building and its core components.
- We stake these design points using stakes, rebar, or lathe.
- The stakes can be used by excavation teams to dig the correct hole for the foundation.
- Offset rebars are then used by a concrete team to construct the concrete forms for foundation pouring.
As-Built Verification
- An “As-built Verification” helps you confirm the vertical and horizontal locations of various features in the structure. We compare them against the original drawings.
- “As-built Verifications” can be performed both during and after the construction process.
- We’re also able to construct “As-built Verification exhibits” for clients.
Grading Certificate
- Grading certificates are used to provide an estimate of the grade direction of the lot.
- These do not offer exact grading measurements. They are considered a rough estimate.
Height Verification
- We can provide “Height Verification Letters” that verify the height of a structure in the context of the local grading.
- It’s critical to understand that different counties and local authorities define heights in varying ways. We can work with you to determine the height in the context of your local authority rules.
- One type of height verification is a “Solar Height Verification.” This form of confirmation calculates the shadow casting elements of the vertical position in comparison to the relevant grade. This analysis uses the sun’s angle on the shortest day of the year.
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