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.

The Benefits of a Land Survey | Corona, CA

When looking to purchase a plot of land, it is important to know what you’re buying. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that can be seen with the naked eye. There are property lines and various other factors that all play a part in purchasing land in order to build upon it. This is where land surveys come into play. Before you buy land, you want to know how large it is. To find this out, you need to know the precise property lines to determine a plot of land’s acreage and value. Here are a couple of others you may want to consider:

Does it fit your needs?

Your purchase is going to depend on what you want to build on it. If you want to build a house, you don’t want sloped land, but if you want to build a winery, you would for drainage. Having the survey done will not only point out the slope but the directions of the slope.

Yes, even the direction of the slope can matter. People who farm need to pay close attention to whether sloped land faces north or south.

Where can you build?

Building structures like houses, barns, and sheds can improve the land’s usefulness and value significantly. You need to know the location of underground pipes and utility lines. Without that knowledge, you could break ground on a major waterline.

A land survey provides the information that you need to choose the right locations for your structures. What you learn about your land could help you save money and finish your construction project faster.

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.

What to Know About Hiring a Land Surveyor | Corona, CA

When we decide to purchase some property, there are many times we are going to need a land survey conducted. While some of us may think it’s an easy task they can do themselves, many times it’s better to have a professional do the work for you in order to ensure it’s done accurately. Trust – it is worth the extra cost in order to make the entire purchase run smoothly, especially if you need permits for construction. Below are some tips and ideas:

Recommendations are key. Yelp is there for a reason – it is good to know what kind of experience others have had. Ask people that you know, including your real estate agent or title agency who they would recommend. Rest your mind at ease with a reputable company.

Check qualifications. Because of the skill and complexity involved with land surveying, laws and regulations dictate that this practice can only be done by licensed surveyors.

Find out about their other projects. Asking questions is the best way to make sure this particular surveyor can do what you need them to. Ask about a timeline for your project. You’ll be able to get a detailed cost estimate with detail like location, land size, and survey type.

Consider the value. It is important to choose a surveyor that provides experience, reputation, and reliable service. Keep this in mind as well – the cost of a land survey may be only a fraction of your entire real estate transaction, so it is worth the investment. In fact, getting a proper survey done may save you money, time, and headaches in the long run.

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

Calvada proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

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.

Is Technology Taking Out the Land Surveyor? | Corona, CA

Traditionally the land surveyor had a job that the typical layman couldn’t do – use fancy equipment to survey a particular piece of land and report back any data needed. It was complicated and very necessary to the function of America. It was the backbone of progress.

Today, things have changed due to the continued progression of technological advances. There is now much more sophisticated equipment developed that is now accessible to the public. People have learned to use equipment used by the land surveyor. Perhaps not for land surveying purposes, but they use it for other purposes. They can use the scanners, they can fly drones. They may not have the knowledge that land surveyors do, but with all this technology at their fingertips, is there life after technology for the land surveyor?

Curtis Sumner of the National Society of Professional Land Surveyors spoke about the future of land surveying amidst the development of COVID-19 and technology, and how we can save the future of land surveying.

To read more about his speech, click here.

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

Calvada proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.