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Land Surveys: Are They Necessary? | Corona, CA

When deciding to purchase land it is important to know what you’re buying into, just like any other major investment. How large is the area, what kind of terrain is involved, and what does the surrounding area consist of? To find these answers, it is likely that you’ll need a land survey. I know what some may think – but is a survey really necessary?

When new land is being divided into various developments, it is important to have the land surveyed in order to ensure the land is used beneficially. Not only do surveys help plot out the land but surveyors are used in the design and planning of said land to make room for things like roads, utilities and landscaping. Yes, it may seem like a new-found industry, but we’ve needed land surveying for as long as we’ve had land to develop.

But why are they so intricate to creating our structures? Believe it or not, but it isn’t just about plotting open spaces to place buildings and other structures upon. Surveyors work with lots of other important industries like engineering, geology, architecture and planning in order to create a successful construction site. They measure the land and map it all out before anyone even steps foot on the site. These findings are given to the architects, who create a blueprint based on the needs of the client. Once complete, engineers use those plans to create a structure that will be successful based on the land available. So, as you can see, land surveys are the environmental trackers of structural design.

To find out more about considering a land survey, please contact us at (800) CALVADA or visit www.calvada.com.

Calvada proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

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Types of Land Surveying Jobs | Corona, CA

Besides surveying land for property owners and developers, surveyors also may do construction surveying. This is helpful in the planning of roads and buildings since the slope and grade of the land can affect the level of difficulty — or even possibility — of some construction projects. They also take into account any underground portions of the project that might be influenced by the geography of the property, such as the type of soil or presence of bedrock or streams.

Engineer using surveying equipment at a construction site with a backhoe in the background.

Construction surveyors are often needed throughout a project.

Forensic. Forensic surveyors work in tandem with the legal system. Using their particular skills and techniques, they can help reconstruct a crime or accident scene. They can also provide critical information relative to storm damage and evaluate the potential threat of environmental factors. These professionals provide reports to law enforcement, insurance companies, government agencies, or other involved agents.

Hydrographic. A hydrographic surveyor surveys land in and around bodies of water. This includes mapping coastlines, riverbeds, and sea floors. This information is helpful to the Navy and other seamen, but also to developers planning waterfront projects or governmental bodies that are building bridges or other structures near the shore. In the case of bridges especially, the makeup of the land under the water can be critical (i.e., whether it is sand, clay, mud, etc.) These surveyors measure water depth, mark the patterns of erosion and assess navigational risks as well.

Environmental. Environmental surveyors map undeveloped land, often pinpointing areas populated by an endangered species. They may also survey areas contaminated with hazardous materials or those affected by storm, flood or fire damage.

To find out more, click here.

To find out more about a career in land surveying, please contact us at (800) CALVADA or visit www.calvada.com.

Calvada proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

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What Exactly Constitutes Land Surveying? | Corona, CA

Any department or agency of the state or any city, county, or city and county that has an unregistered person in responsible charge of land surveying work on January 1, 1986, shall be exempt from the requirement that the person be licensed as a land surveyor until such time as the person currently in responsible charge is replaced.

The review, approval, or examination by a governmental entity of documents prepared or performed pursuant to this section shall be done by, or under the direct supervision of, a person authorized to practice land surveying.

An excerpt [2] from Section §8771 of the State of California Business & Professions Code (Land Surveyors Act): 8726. Land surveying defined

A person, including any person employed by the state or by a city, county, or city and county within the state, practices land surveying within the meaning of this chapter who, either in a public or private capacity, does or offers to do any one or more of the following:

(a) Locates, relocates, establishes, reestablishes, or retraces the alignment or elevation for any of the fixed works embraced within the practice of civil engineering, as described in Section 6731.

(b) Determines the configuration or contour of the earth’s surface, or the position of fixed objects above, on, or below the surface of the earth by applying the principles of mathematics or photogrammetry.

(c) Locates, relocates, establishes, reestablishes, or retraces any property line or boundary of any parcel of land, right-of-way, easement, or alignment of those lines or boundaries.

(d) Makes any survey for the subdivision or resubdivision of any tract of land. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term “subdivision” or “resubdivision” shall be defined to include, but not limited to, the definition in the Subdivision Map Act (Division 2 (commencing with Section 66410) of Title 7 of the Government Code) or the Subdivided Lands Law (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11000) of Part 2 of Division 4 of this Code).

(e) By the use of the principles of land surveying determines the position for any monument or reference point which marks a property line, boundary, or corner, or sets, resets, or replaces any such monument or reference point.

(f) Geodetic or cadastral surveying. As used in this chapter, geodetic surveying means performing surveys, in which account is taken of the figure and size of the earth to determine or predetermine the horizontal or vertical positions of fixed objects thereon or related thereto, geodetic control points, monuments, or stations for use in the practice of land surveying or for stating the position of fixed objects, geodetic control points, monuments, or stations by California Coordinate System coordinates.

(g) Determines the information shown or to be shown on any map or document prepared or furnished in connection with any one or more of the functions described in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f).

(h) Indicates, in any capacity or in any manner, by the use of the title “land surveyor” or by any other title or by any other representation that he or she practices or offers to practice land surveying in any of its branches.

(i) Procures or offers to procure land surveying work for himself, herself, or others.

(j) Manages, or conducts as manager, proprietor, or agent, any place of business from which land surveying work is solicited, performed or practiced.

(k) Coordinates the work of professional, technical, or special consultants in connection with the activities authorized by this chapter.

(l) Determines the information shown or to be shown within the description of any deed, trust deed, or other title document prepared for the purpose of describing the limit of real property in connection with any one or more of the functions described in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive.

(m) Creates, prepares, or modifies electronic or computerized data in the performance of the activities described in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (k) and (l).

(n) Renders a statement regarding the accuracy of maps or measured survey data.

 [2] This excerpt from California law may have been edited to provide relevant portions in a limited space. Refer to the complete text of the statutes and laws for full meaning and context.

To find out more about land surveying, please contact us at (800) CALVADA or visit www.calvada.com.

Calvada proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

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So, You Want to Be a Land Surveyor | Corona, CA

Are you a fan of maps? Do the land variations of a certain area fascinate you? If so, you may be an ideal candidate to be a land surveyor. A land surveyor is a technical specialist who uses mathematics and data gathered to measure surface distances and boundaries. You will observe and record elevations and depressions in an area, calculate coordinates and research property information to identify boundaries and prepare sketches, maps and reports. But what does it take to become a land surveyor? Here are the five simple steps:

High school/apprenticeships. If you’re interested in surveying, high school courses in algebra, trigonometry, geometry, drafting and computers may help prepare you for this type of work.

Earn a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree program in surveying includes, satellite surveying and remote sensing, land information systems, survey research, statistical methods and real estate law.

Obtain a surveyor’s license. All states require surveyors become licensed. Most states accept the results of two exams administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (www.ncees.org).

Seek employment. You’ll find surveying jobs mainly at government agencies and at architectural, engineering, mining, construction and utility companies. These jobs will be the result of more demand for surveyors, especially on infrastructure projects, as well as the retirement and turnover of current workers.

Certifications and specializations. Many employers prefer to promote workers who have obtained a voluntary Certified Survey Technician (CST) certification from the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). This four-tier certification is available at stages throughout your first six years of experience as a surveyor.

To find out more about becoming a land surveyor, please contact us at (800) CALVADA or visit www.calvada.com.

Calvada proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.