AboutCliff Wagner Expertise General land survey questions, North Carolina specific land survey questions, measurement questions, surveying basics.
Experience I am a licensed land surveyor in the state of North Carolina with over twenty-five years of surveying experience. I am owner of a small survey company surveying Southeastern North Carolina.
Education/Credentials High School graduate
90 plus credit hours in Mathematics Curriculum
numerous continuing education classes
Expert: Cliff Wagner Date: 7/12/2008 Subject: Site layout and drainage plan
Question I will be building a house on a 1/4 acre lot that is sloped somewhere between 0-5%. As part of the layout of the foundation, I will be getting a boundary survey. I have a few questions.
I know I will need to use the survey markers placed by the surveyer, as part of the boundary survey, as a reference to layout the foundation. What is the best instrument to buy to accomplish this? A builders level? A transit? A certain type of transit? I will want to buy an instrument that I can use over the years to build other houses. Some could be on land that has a greater slope, and could be much bigger.
Also, I know I will need to measure elevations for the finished floor, grade, level the foundation subbase,etc. My thought is to ask the surveyer to install a benchmark or monument somewhere on the property that I can use to measure elevation. Does this sound like a good idea? What kind of mark should I ask the surveyor to install? Is it best to install this marker somewhere along the property boundary line itself, or somewhere else on the property?
Also, I will need a drainage plan for the building permit application. I know that a drainage plan is a plan showing how water will drain from the property. I have to show that the water from my property will not drain into someone else's property. Could you explain to me how to create a drainage plan, and any other information I will need to know about what a drainage plan is or what is does?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and answer. I appreciate your help - Larry
Answer Larry,
You should consult a local surveyor with these questions. The municipal and state regulations will vary and a knowledgeable local surveyor will be able to answer your questions. I suggest you call at least 3 different surveyors and use the one who answers your questions the most thoroughly.
