WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SURVEYING AND MAPPING?

Oct 14

The science, art, and profession of land surveying entails determining the positions of points on the earth's surface and measuring the distances, directions, angles, and elevations between them. This information aids in the accurate creation of maps and the determination of plot boundaries.

Since at least Ancient Egypt, surveying and mapping has been a known science. In reality, three of Mount Rushmore's four presidents were land surveyors. Civil engineering, construction, architecture, and real estate all rely on surveying to meet key demands.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LAND SURVEYOR?

Land surveyors determine the boundaries of properties and create maps and survey plots of land. They take the measurements needed to create a map of a certain area. Land surveyors use tools including theodolites, levels, plumb bobs, and total stations, as well as software like AutoCAD. Engineers, architects, and developers can benefit from their experience, which they can supply as expert witnesses in court disputes.

"The only legally enforceable records that show where your property begins and ends are professional surveys." As a result, they have the potential to be the determining factor in property disputes and are critical when purchasing and developing land."

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A LAND SURVEYOR?

You must meet one of the following two qualifications to become a licensed land surveyor in Florida:

1st criterion:

Bachelor's degree in surveying and mapping or a related subject is required (geomatics, geomatics engineering, land surveying, etc.).
Experience: You worked as a subordinate to a licensed surveyor for four years, and you were responsible for the work's accuracy.

2nd Requirement:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus 25 semester hours of related coursework.
Six years as a subordinate to a licensed surveyor, five of which must demonstrate that you were accountable for the work's accuracy.

You are entitled to apply for the license once you have met these prerequisites. You can take the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, and the Florida Jurisdictional exam if the board approves your application.

There are two sorts of licenses that are issued:

The designation LS (Land Surveyor) grants the surveyor the right to practice surveying and mapping. Professional land surveyors have the authority to sign and seal legal papers and are responsible for the data and maps' correctness.

This license designates a licensed land surveying business. LB (Surveying and Mapping Business) - this license designates a licensed land surveying business.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A LAND SURVEY?

A land survey may be required for a variety of reasons:

Before buying land, make sure you have legal confirmation that you're getting what you think you're getting.
Before you construct a fence around your property, be sure you know exactly where it will go.
A recent survey on file will make your house more appealing to potential purchasers if you're selling it.
Prior to the construction of any new structures on a property. Surveys will be able to determine the location of your property lines. They'll also check to see if the new building complies with zoning and neighborhood restrictions.
If your neighbor begins to construct new structures and you feel they are infringing on your land,
Before establishing a land easement, be sure you and other parties involved understand what the easement means. Existing easements will also be visible on title surveys.
The only legally binding records that show where your property begins and ends are professional surveys. As a result, they have the potential to be the decisive factor in property disputes and are critical when purchasing and developing land.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A LEGAL DESCRIPTION?

The dimensions and bounds of a parcel are clearly defined by legal descriptions. They differ from addresses in that they are unique to each plot of land and use existing township grids to establish the location of the parcel. As a result, they clear up any ambiguity about where each parcel of land is located and offer legal proof of where its boundaries begin and stop.

Legal descriptions are used in sales contracts, deeds, and mortgages. They can be found on property deeds and tax bills.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SURVEY TYPES?

There are numerous types of land surveys and services available:

LAND TITLE SURVEYS BY ALTA/NSPS

These surveys give a comprehensive picture of a property. They adhere to a set of criteria established by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and give detailed information about the property's borders, real estate, easements, encroachments, liens, and land ownership data. During the building, development, and permitting phases of a project, ALTA/NSPS surveys are required. In commercial real estate transactions, they are regarded standard.

SURVEYS OF COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL BOUNDARIES

The boundaries of a specific piece of property is determined via commercial/residential surveys. This survey is required for a variety of reasons, including the purchase or sale of land, the clarification of property borders, the construction of structures on land, and if there is no plat on file or it has been too long since the last survey.

LAYOUT SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION

These surveys, also known as construction staking or site layout surveys, determine the precise location of new structures on construction sites prior to their completion. They ensure that the construction is completed on time and within budget.

ADJUSTMENTS TO LOT SPLITS AND BOUNDARY LINES

Splitting a parcel of land into two new lots is known as a lot split. This method can be used for a variety of situations, such as when a lot has numerous owners and needs to be divided, or when a property owner wishes to maximize profits by selling two lots. Land surveyors create boundary line adjustments when a property line needs to be modified. Drawing lots necessitates adherence to zoning and size regulations, thus land surveyors who are knowledgeable with these regulations are required for these two services.

LOT STAKING AND PLATTING SERVICES

Platting services are similar to Lot Splits in that they entail mapping the entire property. When the division between the subdivided lots needs to be highlighted, Lot Staking comes into play. To mark the boundary, a surveyor will use wooden stakes (thus the word "staking").

SURVEYS OF THE TOPOGRAPHIC AND TREES

Topographic surveys collect precise information about the elevation points of natural and man-made land features. Tree surveys provide thorough information about the trees on a given piece of property. They can disclose the tree's species, age, and physical measures, as well as its overall health and lifespan. Both surveys assist landowners in determining the condition of their property and what can be built on it.

AS-BUILT/RECORD

After a structure has been erected, surveyors prepare as-built papers. These documents detail the current state of the construction as well as any modifications to the original design. They're also a certified record of what was constructed.

SURVEYS OF WETLANDS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental surveys are used to determine a piece of land's environmental status. Wetland delineations are a type of environmental survey that determines whether or not a wetland exists and how big it is. These distinctions are crucial because wetland lots are subject to restrictions and regulations that may not apply to other types of properties.

SURVEYS OF HYDROGRAPHIC AND MEAN HIGH WATER

Hydrographic surveying is used to characterize shorelines and water features in any body of still or flowing water. The limits of private and state coastal waterways are determined by Mean High Water Surveys. Important peninsulas, such as Florida, are the focus of these assessments.

ELEVATION CERTIFICATES FROM FEMA

In Special Flood Hazard Areas, FEMA elevation certificates determine the total elevation of new buildings and significant renovations (SFHAs). As a result, they are required when applying for flood insurance and aid in the reduction of insurance premiums. Surveyors determine the property's elevation to ensure that it complies with the certification standards.

LOCATION OF SUBSURFACE UTILITIES

The location of subsurface utilities is mapped out in this survey. They lessen the chances of problems arising during the building of or near subsurface utilities. Unexpectedly running into subsurface utility systems, for example, can have a severe impact on the original design.

MAPPING FROM THE SKY

Aerial mapping (also known as photogrammetry) is a technique that uses survey planes to make high-resolution topographic maps of bigger areas. Traditional methods would make it difficult to capture these locations.