Any Surveyor's here

I want to build a garage/shed. Went to the parish (county) office to find out about getting permit.
They tell me first thing I need is a Elevation Survey. Finished grade of floor must be at or above 22 feet.
So I call and get 3 estimates on cost and what needs to be done.

1) $650 ... 2 trips to property. First will be to set stake and second will be to verify that I built to stakes. Will go off a grade marker by the state highway. That is 3 miles away.

2) $500 ... 3 trips to property. This guy says he will use GPS so does not need to go off marker by highway. First trip will be to download info to GPS. Second would be to set stake after he puts info threw his computer at home. Third trip will be to verify that I built to stakes.

3) $300 ... 2 trips to property. This guy says he can give me the elevation and set the stakes from the GPS machine. Does not need to download to house computer saving a trip. Second trip will be to verify that I built to stakes.

Now I am more confused than when I started. While I can see differant prices I did not expect three differant ways of doing the same job.
I want to choose #3 because of cost but have learned over the years that less cost is not always the best job; and I really need this to be done right the first time. If I build and I am not at 22 feet it will need to be torn down.

Thanks for any advise you can give me.

Do you have a general idea of your elevation? I mean if you are at 45-50', then you should have enough leway to be able to afford a "little off"

USGS topographic maps should get you close, and those should be available from you local govt.

Any airport close by? Every little airstrip has it's elevation known and listed on FAA maps.

Those two sources should get you close.

Also, the handheld GPS devices should be close.

Garmin ETREX Legend is the cheapest unit they have and it gives elevation. Probably accurate to 10 or 15 feet.

Good luck, Gene

Assuming they are all certified... I'd go with #3... Seems like the only one smart enough to advance with available resources... If he was to use this forum, he'd prolly use modern view also :shock:

I think you'll be fine with him...

LSU has a map. It says the spot where I want the garage is 23 feet. Per the map my land is from 26 feet(SE corner) to 19 feet along a ditch that runs the entire length of the N side.

All three were on a list the parish gave me so I would have to assume all three are certified and licenced to do survey work in this parish.

Doesnt matter about price. What matters is if the lowest bidder is insured. If he does the survey, puts the stakes in the ground and you build the building where he says your good, and its not at the right elevation then the liability and additional costs to correct falls on him.

Those survey companies arent cheap.
BIL used to work for a survey company, $105 per hour for most work performed.
It is usually money well spent.

Are all three registered land surveyors? Will all three give you a stamped document stating the elevation? If so, then I'd say go by price. Otherwise, go with a registered surveyor who will stamp his work; that way you have some recourse if he screws up and costs you money.

I work as a Engineering Technician and perform highway survey, design and construction inspection. I Don't use GPS daily but am exposed to it and design off of the points provided to me by our county highway surveyor. It appears if option # 1 (if not using gps) is using a known elevation and an optical level to carry the grade to your place. Takes 2 people and more labor then GPS. If done with care from a good elevation is the most accurate. GPS if done correctly usually stays under a 1/2 inch in elevation. Option 3 should work out OK but I would allow a little elevation over and above the staked elevation to protect yourself from variation. BEST case scenario is have option 3 set up, get his gps to find it's elevation then have him shoot the highway marker 3 miles away to verify he's matching or close, then mark your grade. Insist that they provide you with a download-paper 1 page copy of the points they shot on their 1st visit for your records. Finally, don't know about LA, but do know here in Minnesota I wouldn't hire ANYONE who wasn't a licensed land surveyor or working under one to perform this work. Good Luck Tom B.

As siad make sure the one you select is licensed
and gives you a signed and sealed document.

John,

I am a licensed surveyor in IN, OH and was licensed in LA although I have allowed it to expire. You can check to see if a surveyor is licensed by going to www.lapels.com and clicking the licensee search.

Regarding the quotes, it appears that the 3 surveyors are providing an elevation by 3 separate, but valid, means.

Surveyor No. 1 is using an established benchmark and using a 2-man conventional level to bring elevation to the site. He will then set a point at the site to provide elevation for construction. Once constructed, he will come back and check to see that you built to the proper elevation.

Surveyor No. 2 is apparently using static GPS. On the first trip, the receivers will gather information from the satellites but then must be taken back to the office to download to computer. Once he has downloaded the information, then he comes back and uses the GPS points to establish proper elevation at the site. Finally, he will come back to verify that it was built to the proper elevation.

Surveyor No. 3 is apparently using real time (RTK) GPS. The receivers not only download the data but process it on site allowing the surveyor to stake the proper elevation during the first visit. He also will then come back to check to see if it was built correctly.

As stated above, all three are valid methods and as long as the surveyor is licensed, any of the above should be satisfactory.

I would think that if all surveyors are licensed, you have nothing to worry about. If you build to their stakes correctly and those are later found to be at incorrect grade you can then go after the surveyor... You aren't paying him to be wrong the first time and I'm sure they carry insurance against that sort of thing.

Rod

Thanks for the advise guys.