Category: Monument Engineering

Land Surveys Are An Essential Part of Land Purchases

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems - Updated

When you’re researching buying a plot of vacant land or a bit of property this is one area that really should not be taken without considerable consideration. Buying land can be a procedure that is exceptionally pricey that represent a significant outlay of your individual’s time and finances. There are some inquiries to have clear answers to before an investment is recognized as not to mention made.

First it is very important determine the causes behind purchasing. There are lots of common reasons people look for buy land that’s not developed such as developing a home, creating a residence for vacationing or for an investment. Sometimes you could have an interest in getting the piece of property for a combination of the reason why in the above list as well as for each some other listing of considerations and priorities must be met through the property.

When searching for a primary residence you are considering aspect such as privacy, easy accessibility to the town, close schools and playgrounds or maybe the thought of staying close to, near or on water.

If you want to create a vacation home it might be crucial that you are surrounded by things you can do. If hiking you are interested in compared to a location towards the mountains could possibly be important.

If you have been looking into property as an investment you’ll be thinking about the market, the location as well as the potential expansion of the area.

You will need to do not forget that purchasing a piece of land is a personal decision as well as the requirements depending on how the land will probably be used and how come unique on the individual purchasing it.

It’s also important to determine which kind of return will probably be made upon selling the exact property. Consider other parcels located inside area you are wanting to purchase. If you are getting the land just as one investment you would like areas that are areas considered to be great for potential future growth.

One other thing to consider is that if you will need to proceed with obtaining a new mortgage or will you’ll be able to proceed with all the purchase as being a cash purchase. Lots of people feel getting a mortgage is really a difficult help purchasing of the magnitude. I however disagree and believe that it is harder to spend the mortgage off not obtain the mortgage to begin with. If you fail to purchase the exact property you risk having it foreclosed leaving you without money or land.

Also consider if a recent land survey has been done about the land. It is hard to make sure you decide to make a smart purchase that don’t have them being recently done. A land survey will guarantee you are getting what you are paying for. Just a certified land surveyor are able to inform you the actual boundaries of the land you are considering. This will help you to make a purchase with confidence.

It is a must to understand before hand also if there is any restriction in relation to zoning the land. Should you be considering to build you will need to guarantee the blue print is not violating any regulations presented for the property. Learn whatever you can to complete legally and what’s illegal when it comes to building on the land you hope to purchase.

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Monument Engineering

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The Importance Of Land Surveying In The World We Live In Today

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Many individuals may not be aware but the world’s second-oldest profession is land surveying.  Land survey is simply the art and science of mapping and measuring land.  Land survey is vast in scope but truly comes down to people’s land boundaries and where they are located.  Land surveys are critical for buildings, railroads, skyscrapers, airports and bridges.  A prime example of when a land survey is necessary is when a fence is added to a yard.  Without knowing exact boundaries the fence permit will never happen so in this case as in many a land survey is needed.

 

Boundary surveys are a vital part of the design and construction element of any projects.  A boundary survey is conducted to give a precise location to the property that is in question.  A land survey professional will come and inspect the topography of the land for many reasons.  First the engineering design needs precise land surveying results for the main purpose of designing.  A key element in site design is to ensure that the land in question is elevated to prevent building floods.

 

A title survey helps to facilitate any type of real estate transaction and certifies that a dwelling is built according to the design that was approved.  Surveying is needed for so many different activities.  For instance in order to dredge a river bottom or other body of water a map (survey) must be taken to pinpoint precise locations to avoid unnecessary complications.  Another prime example of how a land survey is beneficial is when mapping out property for public use such as tunnels, roadways, air traffic and air ports, pipes, cabling and railways.  A land survey also is necessary when splitting a parcel of land into several smaller lots.

 

The basics involved in field surveyor’s duties include elements involving measuring, mapping and observing the land.  A tool known as a total station helps land surveyors.  Land surveyors derive elevations of the land using total station along with geometry, angel measurements as well as distances along with GPS that shows intersections from space satellites.  A surveyor will report data in a concise manner into the office which will then pass info on to a client.  Contractors rarely work directly with a land surveyor yet coordinate plans with office staff.

 

In order to have success as a surveyor basic knowledge regarding zone, building and planning regulations must be know and changes should be kept up on.  It is also important to know health policies, wetland regulations and rules regarding general land use.  You must be able to apply previous learned techniques together with the latest in technology advances to measure land. It is essential to the success of the land surveyor that their equipment is kept up to date including computers, lasers and satellite technology.

 

Land surveying is critical in the world we live in today.  A professional land surveyor can help to eliminate issues that arise because of land boundaries.  They are also the first people to be called in when advances and improvements are being made to public spaces and land we all use regularly.  It is important to recognize that only one job of a surveyor is boundary line management the many other hats they were ensure public safety and allow us modern day conveniences such as bridges, roads and airports.

Monument Engineering

Solving The Mystery Behind Types of Land Surveys

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When surveying land the type of survey you need can often be a bit confusing.  There are many different types of land surveys that can be done.  Your need will determine exactly what you are looking for in a survey.  Land surveys for construction, home and business vary in the way they are handled by professional land surveyors.  It is best to know have some idea of what you are looking as you begin the process of hiring a professional to work with.  You will both need to be on the same page as far as expectations as well as what the professional fees cover.

  • ALTA Survey:  An ALTA survey stands for American Land Title Association.  This type of survey is necessary to supply title companies and financial lenders with a survey and exact location data needed for the issuing of a title and proper mortgage insurance.  An ALTA survey needs to cover detailed property lines, any locations on improvements that have been done since the last survey, easement identification, utility locations and anything else that would typically affect the land and property within the sale.  The nature of this type of survey makes it expensive and they take some time to complete.  This survey is very comprehensive in nature.  Most commercial property sales will require an ALTA survey.
  • Boundary Survey:  This type of survey is used to establish the true property corners and property lines of a piece of property.  They are usually performed in order to begin building and obtaining the proper permits, to resolve issues between property owners and for fence lines when fencing is going to be erected.  If a consumer is looking for easement lines as well they can pay the land surveyor extra for this need when a boundary survey is performed.
  • Construction Survey:  A survey of this nature is made at the start and during the construction phase of construction.  This type of survey helps manage the progress and control the elevation, positioning, configuration and dimensions of the building in line with the property.
  • Control Survey:  Land surveying that is used for precise locations of vertical and horizontal position points to determine boundaries, for the mapping of aerial photos and staking off of construction prior to the beginning of work.
  • Floodplain Survey:  A floodplain survey is used to help determine the elevation of land verse structures.  This is to help with building plans and to determine flood zones to ensure proper insurance for homes with in flood zones.  This is a very common survey needed upon receiving a mortgage.  Often there are disputes between mortgage companies and loan recipients due to the fees involved in more flood insurance coverage.
  •  Geodetic Survey:  This is a type of land survey that changes because of the curve of the Earth and other astronomic observations.
  • Topographic Survey: A topographic survey helps locate natural and man-made changes mostly improvements in comparison to the structure located on the land.  This can include fencing, elevation changes, land contouring from erosion, tree growth and the changes in water features.

 

Monument Engineering

A Land Survey Is Critical To Buying Property

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is important to be informed no matter what you are proceeding with in life.  This is true from the little purchase such as a new car to the large ones like a new house.  Being informed is important for several reasons; it lets you make decisions based upon facts instead of pressure and it leads you to explore each piece of a puzzle before settling.  It is important to note that purchases where money is exchanged need to be thought about.  This is especially true when it comes to purchases that need to be financed.  Purchasing a home is the biggest decision of many people’s lives.  It is a must to involve professionals into the picture to clearly understand what your dollars are buying.  When purchasing any type of property a land surveyor is a professional to count on.

It is critical to have any land surveyed that you are intent on purchasing.  There are several reasons for this.  The first is quite critical; you want to protect the investment you are making.  You are entitled to know exactly what your dollars are purchasing.  As a purchaser you want to know of boundary lines, any encroachment issues and where the easements lay.

A land survey is advisable before a purchase is made to clear up any information about where your land is.  When you look into adding onto that new purchase or installing a fence it will be important to know exactly where your land starts and stops to avoid encroachment issues with the neighbors.  Many neighborhoods are adding special by laws in about the property amount in comparison to the size of the home and any out buildings. They want to maintain a natural appeal to the neighborhood keeping natural landscaping and maintaining a ration of lawn to non-lawn.  This helps prevent an eye soar on people’s property.

You will want to know exactly what you are getting for your buck with land surveying.  The cost associated with land surveying will depend a little upon the type of survey that needs to be completed, the land type and how much has already been documented in previous land surveys completed upon the parcel of property.  Many times in existing sub-divisions home buyers get lucky and there is already a substantial amount of information known about the parcel.  If this is the case you may get away with corner monument being verified or line stakes placed on the property lines.

If you are looking to cut costs in the land survey process you will want to find copies of the homes current title and deed.  If you have already made the purchase before the land survey, which is unadvisable, clearing brush along the proposed property lines helps on your own will help decrease fees.

When choosing a land surveyor you should base your decision upon the surveyor’s competency and experience. Ask to see examples of previous jobs and find out before you hire them if previous jobs they have done are similar to what you are asking them to do for you.  A good survey meets your needs and will help you legally if boundary lines are ever questioned.

It is important to be informed no matter what you are proceeding with in life.  This is true from the little purchase such as a new car to the large ones like a new house.  Being informed is important for several reasons; it lets you make decisions based upon facts instead of pressure and it leads you to explore each piece of a puzzle before settling.  It is important to note that purchases where money is exchanged need to be thought about.  This is especially true when it comes to purchases that need to be financed.  Purchasing a home is the biggest decision of many people’s lives.  It is a must to involve professionals into the picture to clearly understand what your dollars are buying.  When purchasing any type of property a land surveyor is a professional to count on.

It is critical to have any land surveyed that you are intent on purchasing.  There are several reasons for this.  The first is quite critical; you want to protect the investment you are making.  You are entitled to know exactly what your dollars are purchasing.  As a purchaser you want to know of boundary lines, any encroachment issues and where the easements lay.

A land survey is advisable before a purchase is made to clear up any information about where your land is.  When you look into adding onto that new purchase or installing a fence it will be important to know exactly where your land starts and stops to avoid encroachment issues with the neighbors.  Many neighborhoods are adding special by laws in about the property amount in comparison to the size of the home and any out buildings. They want to maintain a natural appeal to the neighborhood keeping natural landscaping and maintaining a ration of lawn to non-lawn.  This helps prevent an eye soar on people’s property.

You will want to know exactly what you are getting for your buck with land surveying.  The cost associated with land surveying will depend a little upon the type of survey that needs to be completed, the land type and how much has already been documented in previous land surveys completed upon the parcel of property.  Many times in existing sub-divisions home buyers get lucky and there is already a substantial amount of information known about the parcel.  If this is the case you may get away with corner monument being verified or line stakes placed on the property lines.

If you are looking to cut costs in the land survey process you will want to find copies of the homes current title and deed.  If you have already made the purchase before the land survey, which is unadvisable, clearing brush along the proposed property lines helps on your own will help decrease fees.

When choosing a land surveyor you should base your decision upon the surveyor’s competency and experience. Ask to see examples of previous jobs and find out before you hire them if previous jobs they have done are similar to what you are asking them to do for you.  A good survey meets your needs and will help you legally if boundary lines are ever questioned.

Monument Engineering

Drawing Out Boundaries

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Land surveyors are a jack of all trades.  They are people that take information gained through education and experience then use it to define the characteristics of spaces involved in land ownership. These professionals have the tools available to give the history of land and its changes through history.  This is important because of all of the factors that will change the land over time that records are kept and details recorded as they happen.

How does a land surveyor go about performing the retracing the history of land?  This is the question needed to be answered in order to figure out the job they do.  First, land surveyors use mathematics, technical research and abilities to measure and plot.  They do this with both natural and artificial points of reference on the Earth’s surface. The direction and length of boundary lines and the curve of the Earth are also measured to help determine exact land boundaries.

It is important for land surveyors to be familiar with the way the laws and regulations of the state that they are working in and out.  Different zoning, building, planning and wetland regulations along with all the different land use codes should be acknowledged.    They work on plot plans, GPS surveys, boundary surveys and a variety of different projects.  It is amazing all of the different jobs that require land surveyors services.

When purchasing a plot of land to build a home on it is important that even an average real estate buyer should contact a land surveyor.  This is especially important before the purchase is made.  Only a licensed land surveyor will truly be able to show you and provide a map of the actual space that has been purchased or is going to be purchased.    They help to define what is actually purchased.

This is such an important piece to the puzzle in purchasing land.  A surveyor will tell you exactly what defines the space you purchased.  It is important for people to be aware of the space they own, what trees constitute the space.  If a land surveyor feels a deed has been previously written incorrectly they have the ability to provide and updated version.  This can happen as land changes especially if features have changed drastically.  It is also common when the previous owner has made changes to the lands features since the previous deed. Some land surveyors go ahead and place permanent markers on the corners of the property.  This is helpful so that you can always have a hold of the property lines.

People are very anxious when it comes to property and defining what is theirs.  If you look back in history it is evident that property lines matter.  This is why it is so important to have an expert out when looking into purchasing property.  It is not fun to purchase land only to realize what you though originally belonged to you is actually a community access point.  Nothing could be worse than sitting enjoying the view of the lake to have it ruined by people dropping boats in the water on what you assumed was your property.

Monument Engineering

Difficulties In Finding A Perfect And Buildable Lot

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When we were looking to purchase a home three years ago one thought was to build.  We were interested in doing this one time and only one time.  With kids we were interested in finding a school district we loved, a large enough floor plan and a home on the water.  Our criteria were specific so we really focused on property at first when our search began.

There was so much confusion in determining if a certain lot was buildable or not.  Many references we looked at told us as long as the local government would issue a building permit the lot would be buildable.  However true the above statement is it leaves out the facts that even though it is buildable the dream home you are thinking of building might not work on that lot.  A buildable lot only means that if the criteria are met for a home can go on it not necessarily the home of your dreams.

A land surveyor will be brought in by the seller of the land.  This will plot out all of the boundaries that exist.  This should help you get a feel for the layout that homes on that lot could be placed.  The seller should also provide a title insurance property which shows that the property has a clear title and can be sold free and clear.  A soil analysis should also be provided by the seller.  A clear soil analysis is needed for the lot to be buildable as well.

It is clear that you must decide which is most important to you the lot of land or the home. In many cases you can have both however if you fall in love with a lot of land and the location but the dream house does not work there determine if you are willing to settle for a different home. It is hard to find property to meet all dream requirements when looking at lots with acreage, water or access to certain points of interest.  If you have specific demands for the location then you may have to give a bit when it comes to the type of house that can be built.

Some restrictions on property that is deemed buildable can be but are not limited to; size, color, direction of the garage door, driveway materials, style of the home, siding material or even that you must include a garage.  This can be the trickiest part of all.  To determine if the lot of land you are interested in will fit the home you like it will take more research than just finding out if the land is simply buildable.  You will need to have a land surveyor, architect, contractor and local government officials out to inspect the property for any loop holes they might see in placing the home of your dreams on the property of your dreams.

My husband and I were way more focused on the location of the property than the home.  In the end after surveying many different land plots we decided that in order to get the property acreage we desired with a water front in the school district we were aiming for we would have to purchase an existing home.  The house was not in any way the dream home I had envisioned building however we made it work and now can’t imagine being anywhere else.  We spend little time inside anyhow with the brilliant yard and water activities beckoning us in the spring, summer and fall we have little time to worry about the things inside that were not what we exactly desired.

I am sure the same is true for those homeowners who dream of a home and never envision the outside.  If would work the same for them.  Every day they would wake up in the room of their dreams, drink coffee in the nook they envisioned and eat around the dining room they pictured making memories in.  They are outside so little that the yard has very little significance. When they are outside it is such an infrequent and insignificant matter that they barely look to see that it might not be everything they hoped it to be but it works and the sacrifice is worth it to them.

Monument Engineering

Engineering Firms: A Look At Engineering As A Major

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So you have just graduated from high school and are wondering what the next step is for you.  Are you going to follow in your parent’s footsteps and head to work in large engineering firms or are you thinking you would like to work more with people in social work?  It is important when looking into universities that you ask if it is necessary to declare a major upon entering.

Often time’s students get into school leaning towards a course of study only to learn after the first semester that really working for an engineering firm no longer sounds of interest.  If you have already declared a major and the courses that you have taken are specific for that particular degree than you have wasted a semester.  It is important to find out ahead of time with the university if this is something that could potentially happen to you.

If possible try to wait to declare a major until you have been in school for a year.  In that time take moments to explore career options that exist and focus your course studies on some basic classes that are not major specific.  In a recent study that was done on college graduates it was found that fifty percent of them had changed their major course of studies at least once.  I did it, I went in for teaching and two years later realized I was far more interested in marketing.

Finding a college that offers the flexibility to change majors is important especially if you are one of the many high school senior graduating with no idea of where you see yourself in the future.  Even though many students think it is ideal to follow in the footstep s of older siblings or parents it is important to remember that your career choice will have to make you happy.  If in the long run you don’t see yourself working in an office involved in science, technology and math than that engineering firm mom and dad work for is not going to be a perfect for you.

Another thing to contemplate is that many adults graduate with a degree that in actuality is not seeing growth in the career world.  What do you do then?  It is important that even though you graduate with a degree it does not necessarily limit what you will do in the future.  I know many people who have degrees that their current jobs do not even relate to.  Employers are looking for a commitment when they hire and train a new employee.   The degree you have studied so d for, no matter what it is shows them that commitment.

One way to really find out if something is going to appeal to you is to look in the books that surround that field of study. A good place to do this is at the campus book store. Then take a class that is relevant to the material that sparked your interest.  That should give you a look into the field and a taste of careers within it.  Talk with professors; they are a wide source of knowledge on career opportunities that follow all different routes of study.

One thing I ask you not to do when looking into a field of study at college is to look at the pay scale for it.  It would be awful sad for you to discover even that the three figured salary you are bringing in does not bring you happiness with it because what you are doing is not in your heart.  Your career is a large part of your life.  It is essentially your first child.  You will nurture it, grow it and live with it so you want to make sure that it brings you happiness and fulfillment.  You will find that if those qualities lay within you the money won’t be anything but a number.

Monument Engineering