Boundary Survey A boundary survey is a way to formally define the boundaries of a property. It focuses largely on defining the corners of a parcel of land. People generally commission boundary surveys before buying, dividing, improving, or building on land. After a boundary survey is complete, a land surveyor will create a drawing. It is better to have a professional do the survey, as measurements need to be as exact as possible. The drawing can include:
 
The primary purpose for a Boundary Survey is to discover the boundary lines (dividing lines among a parcels of land). While many feel they are the same, a boundary survey is very different from a home survey.
 
Boundary surveys determine the lines of a particular property. Markers, also known as property corners, are set with iron rods. While a house location has an estimated accuracy of +/- three feet, a boundary survey is nearly 100% accurate. They are used for construction or improvement purposes, such as constructing a fence or putting in a swimming pool. They can also be used for encroachment or other property line issues. Other overlooked facts about boundary surveys are how they have the ability to add to your property value. Knowing where your property lines are is a valuable commodity to any homeowner, as well as a great future selling point! Our team of experienced professionals will be happy to give you any additional information, as well as a free estimate.
 
Frequently, we see fences and expensive landscaping placed in the wrong place because the property owner did not hire a Licensed Professional Surveyor to do the boundary survey. Don’t make this mistake. Only hire licensed professional surveyors to survey your property. Fence, pool and landscape companies are not permitted to do a boundary survey unless they have a surveying license.
 
Location Survey Similar to a boundary survey, a location survey provides additional information on the location of interior improvements. This type of survey is most commonly used to fulfill the requirements of a zoning permit or loan application.
 
Site Planning Survey Often a requirement for development permit applications, a site planning survey combines the elements of boundary and topographic surveys for site planning. This survey is used to plan design improvements and developments before construction begins.
 
Site planning surveys are frequently used for designing house lots, subdivisions, stores, playgrounds, commercial & industrial sites, and streets and highways.
 
Subdivision Survey A subdivision survey is used to divide a parcel of land into smaller tracts, lots, or estates. This type of survey is also used to design streets and drainages, and it must be recorded by the local and state government agency. This survey is also known as a partition survey.

General FEMA Elevation Certificate Information

An Elevation Certificate compares a property’s elevation data to the Base Flood elevation data. A licensed Surveyor makes actual field measurements using survey instruments and techniques to obtain the property’s elevation data and then transfers that data to the Certificate which is an official form of the National Flood Insurance Program.

If you own property that falls within a Special Flood Hazard area (SFHA) as depicted on Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Maps, it is advised that you obtain flood coverage. For homes with mortgages, it is required. Accurate delivers Federal Emergency Management Agency Elevation Certificates that denote all the required vertical data that insurance companies require.

The FEMA Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This certificate provides information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordnances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate and to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F).

Accurate Land Surveyors uses the latest survey equipment and software to do field surveys which determine your sites elevations. The certificate is completed under the supervision of a Registered Professional who certifies the Elevation Certificate. Don’t wait, contact us today!

FEMA LINKS
The following are two important links that give you additional information on flood insurance and mapped floodplains from FEMA. 

FEMA Flood Map Service Center: Search All Products

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Regarding new sites or new / updated construction on an existing site, several surveys and or certificate services may be required:

• A Boundary Survey
• A FEMA Elevation Survey
• As Built Survey
• Construction Layout
• Topographic Survey

Boundary Survey The site may be empty or a prearranged demolition may be involved. In all cases, you will need a Boundary Survey.

Permitting Once you get to the permitting stage, you will have your surveys and site plans. The City’s building department will look at the project plans and verify they are aligned with local zoning codes, appropriate setbacks and drainage.

Construction Once you begin construction, your contractor will require a Construction Layout Survey. They are commonly represented as “stakeouts” of proposed improvements.

Accurate Land Surveyors will work with you to confirm all details regarding the scope of work before we proceed. Contact us for a free estimate.

An improvement survey is a Boundary Survey locating the extents of the property as well as the of location of all improvements. Inside the property boundary, improvements are located such as, buildings and fences. Easements and rights-of-way are also located. Property corners are set and a plat is created and recorded at the county or city clerk and recorder’s office. A title commitment is required.

Hydrographic Surveys
Mean High Water Surveys
Special or Specific Purpose Surveys
 
In the case where one of the standard types of surveys won’t work, the state of Florida Administrative Code allows for specific surveys. These unique surveys are permitted only where unusual conditions make more impractical or impossible standard performance.

Many local municipalities require special surveys in order to obtain certain licenses. These special surveys are known as Radius or Distance Surveys. These Specific or Special Purpose Surveys are outside of the normal

The purpose of this survey is to locate both natural and man-made topographic features on a parcel of land. Examples of such features include fences, utilities, buildings, elevations, streams, trees, improvements, and contours. A topographic survey may be required by a state or local government agency or might be used by architects and engineers for planning site improvements and developments.
 
A topographic survey is typically implemented through a combination of aerial photography and ground field methods. This type of survey is not limited by property boundaries.

Property Disputes

From time to time, we come across instances where neighbors are in disagreement over their property lines. There are questions regarding who should have access to a certain piece of property. This can commonly happen when one neighbor wants to build a fence on their property and their neighbor may not agree with the established line. In these cases, a property survey will help establish the correct property lines to help settle the dispute and allow for any work on the property in question to commence.