Surveying
North Country Engineering, Inc.'s (NCE) Surveying department has taken surveying to a new level using the current state of the art Robotics and GPS to aid us with accomplishing tasks in less time than before. NCE works closely with the needs of the client to accomplish the job on-time and within the budget. We are able to respond quickly to your needs and seek solutions that best meet your concerns. Our clients range from government agencies to private land owners with a very diverse array of problems that have been solved.
There are many different types of surveys available. Understanding the differences between varying types of surveys can help you to determine which survey best fits your needs.
Please also visit: Surveying FAQ
The following are some of the services we provide:
Boundary Surveys
A boundary survey establishes the property corners and property lines of a parcel of land. It will also indicate the extent of any easements or encroachments on the property. Boundary surveys are typically performed to obtain building permits, to resolve property disputes, and to erect fences and structures. These surveys could include:
- Location of property lines per legal descriptions
- Staking property corners
- Establish new parcels
- Write legal descriptions
- Creation of a survey drawing for recording
Topographic Surveys
A topographic survey depicts the "lay of the land" and the location of natural and man-made objects on a specific parcel. The datum may be assumed or USGS (if working within a floodplain or wetland). These surveys are often useful in determining building and drainage opportunities and constraints. If you are persuing a site plan or design, the engineer will need a topographic survey to develop grading plans and permits. Topo surveys typically include:
- Marking property corners (if a boundary survey was completed)
- Locate topographical features in the field
- Creation of a base map with noted contours and features
ALTA Surveys
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) implemented standards with regards to title insurance. ALTA surveys combine elements of boundary, topographic, and easement surveys into one report with specifically required deliverables. ALTA surveys are often required by banks and mortgage lenders for financing. They typically identify:
- Property lines, corners and encroachments per legal descriptions
- Easements and/or right-of-ways on or across property
- Topographical features
- Physical improvements on and adjacent to the property
Construction Staking and Building Layout
Construction staking consists of surveying and staking prior to and during the construction of roads, houses, developments, etc. This can include the marking of specific lines, offsets, elevations, grades, and setbacks so that the client (contractor, builder, or landowner) can be sure that the project is being built according to the plans and specifications. Construction staking services may also include As-Built (post-construction) surveys, and quantity calculations for project close out. NCE has experience in a variety of construction staking projects, including:
- Roads, streets, highways, and bridges
- Home and building site staking
- Site grading and layout
- Embankment and ditch slope staking
- Designed earth work such as landfills
Geodetic Control Surveys (GPS & Standard)
These surveys entail the location of existing monumented control points. They involve:
- Research of government corners
- Locate needed corners and/or evidence in the field
- Establish proper corner position
- Record corners in the Register of Deeds per P.A. 74
Monument Preservation and Remonumentation
These types of surveys entail research of all historical records which pertain to a corner and all field activities for that corner including:
- Reconnaissance for evidence revealed in research
- Location of property corners and measures to ensure preservation of point
- Establishment of witnesses
- Peer Group review and ratification
- Provide Corner Certificates for filing and preservation
Plat Approval Submittals
Plat approval services are often retained by municipalities and involve:
- Location of property lines per legal descriptions
- Preliminary plat development and layout
- Obtain proper approvals and signatures
- Final plat development and layout
- Obtain proper approvals and signatures
- Stake lot corners and rights of ways
Mapping, Drafting and GIS Services
NCE can also provide services to assist you in best utilizing your survey once complete. We can:
- Develop base maps from boundary and topographic surveys
- Provide drafting services in AutoCAD (*.dwg) format
- Provide aerials and maps in GIS format
