What’s the Difference Between a Boundary Survey and a Topographic Survey?
Looking to buy, sell or develop a parcel of land? There are two kinds of land surveys to consider– depending on your project, you’ll want a boundary survey or a topographic survey. These surveys are key factors in the buying, selling, developing or even redeveloping process. Let’s take a look at the difference between boundary surveys and topographic surveys. Boundary Survey: A boundary survey is exactly what it sounds like: It’s the mapping out of the boundaries of the property. Prior to purchasing, sub-dividing or building on the parcel of land, a boundary survey needs to be performed. The overarching goal of conducting a boundary survey is to establish exact measurements of the parcel of land so that improvements or other projects do not encroach on adjoining property lines. Your
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What is an As-Built Survey, and When Do I Need One?
When you’re starting a construction project, you need a land survey to establish the boundaries of the project. You might also need an ALTA/NSPS land title survey to confirm that you’re able to use the land in the way you intend. After that, your plans are drawn up and approved, and construction begins. But how can you be sure that everything is going according to plan? That’s where an as-built survey comes in. As-built surveys, also known as “in place” surveys or record drawings, may show any and all improvements to a piece of land or they may focus on a few particular aspects of the construction project, such as sewers, utilities, drainage or building foundations, depending on the local governmental requirements and site needs. During the process of construction
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What is LEED Certification?
LEED-certified buildings are becoming more and more common in the Midwest. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) that evaluates the environmental performance and sustainable (green) design of buildings. The aim of LEED certified buildings is to reduce energy and water usage, promote better indoor air quality and overall quality of life for the building’s occupants. LEED certifications have four levels: from lowest to highest, they are: certified, silver, gold and platinum. Although LEED certifications are primarily sought in new builds, the process can also be applied to existing buildings that are undergoing improvements. How Does it Work? In terms of commercial building, the prerequisites include: Compliance with all relevant environmental laws and
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Where in the World is Roger?
The Adventures of the World’s Most Interesting Engineer What makes Roger Ward, Sr. the world’s most interesting engineer? Roger Ward, Sr. (PE, BCEE) is the CEO at Roger Ward Engineering. A veteran of United States Army, he proudly served our country in the early 70s. After his honorable discharge, he led a water practice for a national engineering firm’s Indianapolis office. He currently oversees all of the public sector projects at Roger Ward Engineering and provides senior-level consulting services on public water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Ward Sr. has traveled the world with Engineers Without Borders, an amazing organization that provides volunteer engineering services and relief to communities around the world, volunteering to help them solve infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water and sanitation problems and other engineering challenges. In September, he
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What is an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey and When Do You Need One?
When you’re starting a new construction project, or purchasing a piece of residential or commercial real estate that may or may not already have some improvements on it, one of the first steps should be to request a survey of the land. After all, you need to know the extents of the land you’re purchasing. However, a boundary survey may not always be enough. Your lender, the land title insurance company or perhaps you, as the buyer, may be negatively impacted by things discovered later that might affect your ability to use the land in the way you intend. To determine whether any such conditions exist, an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey may be necessary.. An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey will provide you with a more complete map of the parcel,
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