Smithco provides a wide range of services to many different industries, corporations, municipalities and individuals. Our experience is extensive in such areas as telecommunications, renewable energy, petroleum production and related facilities, co-generation and geothermal facilities, roads and bridges, pipelines, powerlines, land development and building construction.
ALTA/NSPS Maps
Considered the “Cadillac of Surveys”, an ALTA/NSPS map is a detailed survey that meets the requirements and minimum standards set by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). It provides Clients, Lenders and Insurers precise details about boundaries, easements, improvements and any potential risks related to the subject property.
As-Built Mapping
Conducted at the end of construction activities, As-built surveys provide a detailed record of a project as it stands after completion, reflecting any changes made during construction. They capture the exact state of the project as it was actually built, not just as it was originally planned, including final locations of structures, improvements, site features, and other important details.
Boundary Surveys
Commonly ordered when selling/purchasing real estate, installing perimeter fencing, or building on land, the purpose of a boundary survey is to retrace, determine and mark the location of property lines and corners on the ground by the application of appropriate boundary law and principles. A boundary survey is crucial for preventing and resolving boundary disputes and avoiding possible lawsuits that may arise as a result of from these disputes.
Construction Staking
Construction staking is an essential phase of the construction process carried out by Land Surveyors which translates Engineering/Architectural designs from plans into physical points on the project site. This ensures that structures and improvements are built in the correct location in accordance with the design plans and specifications.
Easements
An Easement is a nonpossessory interest in the land owned by another which entitles the Easement Holder to legal right of access or special use to the land in which the easement exists. In addition to identifying, interpreting and plotting the location of existing easements onto survey maps, the Land Surveyor also prepares descriptions for creating easements with the proper technical data and clearness to define an exact location.
FAA 1A and 2C Certification
When constructing tall structures, such as a telecommunication (Cell) tower or satellite mast, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may require certified documentation prepared by a Licensed Land Surveyor to report the horizontal location, vertical elevation and structure height based on a field survey that meets specific accuracy standards set forth by the FAA.
Flood Certificates
Governmental Agencies and Insurance Providers may require a Flood Elevation Certificate (EC) from the Landowner or Land Developer to assess potential flood risk to structures, improvements and property within designated flood zones. If the local Floodplain Manager (City or County agency) does not have an EC on file for the property, a Land Surveyor can be engaged to complete one based on field surveyed data.
Land Divisions (Subdivisions)
Subdividing property into multiple lots/parcels requires the preparation of technical maps and documents by a Land Surveyor. The specific process varies widely dependent on the location, the type of subdivision (commercial, residential, etc.) and local government agency requirements. In most cases, this involves a “Tentative Map” for planning purposes, a “Final Map” for official use, public hearings, detailed studies, coordination with other professionals, and meeting government imposed conditions.
Legal Descriptions
A legal description is a written record that precisely defines a parcel of land. It provides a legally recognized way to detail the property’s location, boundaries, and dimensions. Legal descriptions are commonly used in legal documents such as deeds, contracts, and land records to ensure accurate identification and ownership of the property. Only a Licensed Surveyor should prepare property descriptions as any inaccuracies could lead to title issues.
Lot Line Adjustments
To move or modify the location of a boundary line between two or more parcels of land can be accomplished by the preparation and filing of a Lot Line Adjustment (LLA). Often utilized to address encroachment issues between neighbors or to realign boundary lines across multiple parcels, making the land more suitable for proposed development. Governmental Agencies typically require a Land Surveyor to prepare legal descriptions and exhibits depicting the proposed LLA to ensure accuracy and compliance with local regulations.
Parcel Mergers
Parcel Mergers, or Lot Consolidation, involves combining existing parcels into fewer parcels by removing or modifying shared property lines. The goal of a lot merger is to combine two or more contiguous parcels, or lots, under common ownership into a single parcel, or to consolidate substandard sized parcels into one larger parcel. The overseeing Local Agency may request that a Licensed Land Surveyor prepare new legal descriptions and exhibits illustrating the proposed merger.
Photogrammetric Control
When surveying large areas of land, it may be more cost efficient to collect the existing site conditions and features by photogrammetric mapping methods using a manned aircraft. Prior to the flight, survey control points, as known as ground control points or targets, are placed on the ground by the Surveyor. This provides reference points that allow the flight data to be linked to the ground data, avoiding inconsistencies or “shifts” between Surveyor and Photogrammetrist.
Topographic Maps
Topographic/Topographical surveys, or simply Topo Surveys, are essential for professionals involved in land management, development, planning and construction projects. These surveys provide a detailed representation of the existing physical features on the surface of the land, including natural elements like contours, waterways, and vegetation, as well as man-made structures such as roads, buildings, fences and above-ground utilities.
UAV Drone Surveys
State-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fitted with high-resolution cameras and operated by a certified drone pilot, are used to capture aerial imagery from multiple perspectives and heights. This data is carefully processed and analyzed with advanced software, enabling the Surveyor to derive precise measurements, created detailed mapping, and produce highly accurate 3D surface models of the project area.
Volumetric Surveys
A volumetric survey involves measuring and calculating the volume of earthworks, stockpiles, “spoils” or other materials on a portion of land. Commonly used in industries like construction, mining, and more, this type of survey provides precise volume calculations essential for inventory counts, soils import/export planning and resource management.