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The Pros and Cons of Conducting ALTA Surveys

According to many sources all over the Internet, “Surveying or land surveying is the method, business, talent, and discipline of defining the earth’s locations of points and the areas and slopes between them.” So it is simply the measurement of lands on Earth. 

Types of Land Surveys

There are many types of land surveys. Below are the common examples and the description of how they are needed.

1. Boundary Survey -  As the name suggests, it covers the boundaries of a property, which include property monuments (physical), deeds of records, and plats. It is used primarily for verification of the appropriate land boundaries, which involves actual fieldwork.

2. Location Survey -  It is similar to a boundary survey. It also involves in the plan where to build the proposed structures. It’s a requirement if you’re applying for a loan or zoning permits.

3. Construction Survey – It covers the surveys on structures such as roads, buildings, walls, etc. It also involves It involves slopes surveys,  horizontal and vertical grading, and As-Built surveys

4. Topographic Survey – It is usually performed by civil engineers or foresters when locating topographic features of land like contours, ridges, gullies, watercourses, roads, etc.

5. Site Planning Survey – It is a combination of boundary and topographic map surveys. When you are designing commercial and industrial sites, streets, highways, subdivisions, house lots, etc., this is the type of survey you need.

6. Subdivision Survey – It is the process of dividing a parcel of land into smaller lots.

7. ALTA Survey – So far, the most comprehensive type of land survey because it covers all the features and characteristics of the land or property. It is like the combination of all types of land survey and more.

What exactly is an ALTA Survey?

ALTA stands for American Land Title Association. So basically, it follows the standards adopted by the American Land Title Association and National Society of Professional Surveyors. It is specifically designed to fulfill the needs of corporations, lenders, companies that are involved in the development of commercial properties. 

 When Do You Need An ALTA Survey?

      1. When Buying Or Selling Commercial Real Estate 

Commercial purchases are often risky. It may involve boundary disputes, encroachments, or other circumstances such as claims not found in public records. ALTA Surveys can reveal (and resolve) these “problems” and somehow clear the risk before your transaction gets concluded.

      2. When Buying A Piece Of Vacant Land

Same as purchasing commercial properties, risks are always involved. An ALTA Survey can provide deeper research about the property you will purchase.

     3. When You Only Want To Know More Detailed Information About the Property

Information is the new currency these days. So if you want to know more about the property (or properties) you are planning to purchase, conducting an ALTA Survey is the answer. 

Pros and Cons of ALTA Surveys

The Pros of conducting ALTA Surveys are all over this article. And what’s the most important advantage of conducting ALTA Surveys? It is the peace of mind that you will have, knowing that all bases are covered. 

And the disadvantages? There are no cons in conducting ALTA Surveys unless it isn’t required.

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The Importance of Drainage Study

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the existing drainage conditions at the proposed site and vicinity and to determine the potential impacts from the proposed improvements.

A good drainage system design is a much needed solution for home owners who have large land surfaces to irrigate, who live in areas with greater rainfall rates, and whose land includes surface dips or depressions.

Drainage can be either natural or artificial. Many areas have some natural drainage; this means that excess water flows from the farmers' fields to swamps or to lakes and rivers. ... There are two types of artificial drainage: surface drainage and subsurface drainage.

Surface drainage is the removal of water that collects on the land surface. A surface drainage system consists of shallow ditches and should include land smoothing or land grading. This type of system is suitable for all slowly permeable soils and for soils with fragipans or clay subsoils.

Drainage systems can prevent water accumulation that can lead to flooding by directing the water away from your home. Water that over-accumulates in your yard may kill plants. Drainage systems also prevent the accumulation of stagnant water, which can encourage mosquitoes to breed.

Subsurface pipes can be used to drain heavy (clay) poorly drained soils successfully but their spacing would need to be so close together that they are uneconomic in extensive farmland systems. Subsurface pipe drainage was referred to as 'tile drainage' in the past due to the use of short clay pipes.

Below are 4 common types of drainage patterns:

Dendritic. A dendritic drainage pattern is the most common form and looks like the branching pattern of tree roots. ...

Deranged. Drainage patterns are found in areas recently disturbed by events like glacial activity or volcanic deposition. ...

Centripetal. 

Trellised.

In geomorphology, drainage systems, also known as river systems, are the patterns formed by the streams, rivers, and lakes in a particular drainage basin. They are governed by the topography of the land, whether a particular region is dominated by hard or soft rocks, and the gradient of the land.

Importance of Drainage. Drainage system allows the free flow of water and in most cases prevents accumulation that can lead to flooding. The function of the field drainage system is to control the water table.

The function of the field drainage system is to control the water table, whereas the function of the main drainage system is to collect, transport, and dispose of the water through an outfall or outlet. In some instances one makes an additional distinction between collector and main drainage systems.

Drainage system may refer to: Drainage system (geomorphology), patterns formed by streams, rivers, and lakes in a drainage basin. Drainage system (agriculture), a system by which water is drained on or in the soil to enhance production. Sustainable drainage system, designed to reduce the potential impact of development.

Drainage mainly means controlling falling water to move it away from the home or farms and protect ponding that can affect landscaping. And other drainage issues can be a result of marshy soil. A lot of areas or places that won't dry up and make it difficult to drain properly.

Open drainage systems, also called natural drainage systems, consist of uncovered channels or ditches that pick up wastewater flows. Apart from wastewater, open drainage system also serve as stormwater run-offs, and should be designed to accommodate heavy flows. These systems are not suitable for transporting sewage.

  Author: Area West Engineers

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4 Tips to Finding a Quality Land Surveyor

Doing a land survey before purchasing a property is a must for every property owner. However, most people only make their decision based on one factor - the cost the project entails. Often, the choice results in disappointment in the longer run. No worries, here are some tips you could use in hiring the perfect professional to survey your land.

1. Check if the land surveyor is licensed.

Professional land surveyors are required to be licensed by their state for the work and services they offer. If in any case, you hire an individual not qualified to legally survey your land, you compromise the quality of the work you’ll get, and you are assisting someone in breaking the law. To avoid such scenarios, reach out to the licensing board to verify if they are licensed or not.

2. See to it that the land surveyor has extensive experience in the service you require.

Typically, there are no licensed subjects under the land surveying profession, but it is better to get assured. In case you are hiring a land surveyor to do, for instance,  a drainage study, ensure that they have a great history in doing such a project. Additionally, you can ask how long they have been employed or worked as a professional land surveyor.

3. Make sure that the land surveyor has a professional demeanor.

This trait talks about the respect the land surveyor is giving, and it starts right at your first call and dealing. If your land surveyor firsthand doesn’t act professionally, they most probably won’t do good as well in surveying your land. Remember, even the smallest details must be professionally monitored and handled for everything to work for you.

4. Verify if the land surveyor uses modern equipment.

Nowadays, there are now a wide array of cutting-edge tools that land surveyors use like Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Robotic Survey Systems, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and  Laser Scanning. These technologies give better meticulousness and precision in the projects they do. Hire a professional land surveyor that will take time and effort to learn these latest technologies to improve their services continuously; thus, resulting in better work and cost savings for you.

Like in many other fields,  the quality of work can vary greatly depending on the professional you choose to work with. Take note of the given factors to ensure that you hire the best land surveyor for your money’s worth.

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Why Getting an ALTA Survey Matters

So, you’re on your way to purchase that property you have been eyeing on for so long. During the process, the title company or a lender asks what type of survey you want to be performed on the property. You are then given a choice between a regular survey and an ALTA survey. Before making a decision, let’s check what, and ALTA survey is, and how it benefits the buyer in the long run.

What is an ALTA Survey?

Before we continue with the discussion, it is helpful to have a better understanding of what an ALTA survey is. Also known as a Land Title survey, an ALTA (American Land Title Association) survey is more than a boundary survey. It is a detailed survey that looks and defines the lot’s dimensions, while also showing clearly the building limits. Performed by registered and licensed surveyors, it uses past and present records correctly set the limits and boundaries. The process follows strict rules and standards from ALTA and American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM).

Benefits of Getting an ALTA Survey

An ALTA Survey gives information on whether any future home improvement like adding a pool or a garage would go beyond boundary limits. Also, since it goes back on the property’s history, it shows if any previous home improvements went out of bounds.

Additionally, it provides the easements and right of ways on the property that service companies could use for repair and maintenance. Having this information can help the buyer plan future improvements, avoiding the easements, and prevent future problems.

When to Get an ALTA Survey

While getting an ALTA survey is not mandated on every purchase, some would greatly benefit from it. Here are a couple of examples that we recommend having and ALTA survey performed:

Vacant Lots – there is a big possibility that the vacant lot you are going to buy has not gone through a proper survey. There could also be some inaccuracies on the land information that needs correction. To avoid any potential problems that could happen after the purchase, it is recommended to have an ALTA survey done.  

Commercial Properties – many title insurance companies and lenders require an ALTA survey on a commercial property before purchase or refinancing. Due to the inherent risks like encroachment and boundary disputes that public records might miss, the survey lowers such chances. It also allows the buyer to compare the results of the survey to current records and see possible inconsistencies.

In the end, while costing more than a regular survey, an ALTA survey has its own set of benefits. Property buyers can use these benefits for additional information, home improvement guidelines, and insurance protection. Are you planning to get a new property? Have an ALTA Survey performed by our expert team of surveyors now.     

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Why Elevation Certificates Are Needed

A community's permit file must have an official record that shows new buildings and substantial improvements in all identified Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs)are properly elevated. This elevation information is needed to show compliance with the floodplain management ordinance. FEMA encourages communities to use the Elevation Certificate developed by FEMA to fulfill this requirement since it also can be used by the property owner to obtain flood insurance. Communities participating in the Community Rating System (CRS) are required to use the FEMA Elevation Certificate.

If your home or business is in a high-risk area, your insurance agent will likely need an Elevation Certificate (EC) to determine your flood insurance premium. Floods mean rising water. Knowing your building’s elevation compared to the estimated height flood waters will reach in a major flood helps determine your flood risk and the cost of your flood insurance. An EC documents the elevation of your building for the  floodplain managers enforcing local building ordinance, and for insurance rating purposes.

How an EC Is Used

If your building is in a high-risk area—a zone indicated with the letters A or V on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)—the EC includes important information that is needed for determining a risk- based premium rate for a flood insurance policy. For example, the EC shows the location of the building, Lowest Floor Elevation, building characteristics and  flood zone.

Your insurance agent will use the EC to compare your building’s elevation to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) shown on the map being used for rating and determine the cost to cover your  flood risk. e BFE is the elevation that flood waters are estimated to have a 1 percent chance of reaching or exceeding in any given year. The higher your lowest  floor is above the BFE, the lower the risk of flooding. Lower risk typically means lower flood insurance premiums.

Who Needs an EC

For certain high-risk structures, an EC is required by an insurer as a condition for issuing  flood coverage. There are exceptions. For example, if your building was constructed before your community’s first FIRM became effective (known as pre-FIRM) and you are eligible for a subsidized rate, you do not need an EC to purchase coverage. However, subsidized rates for pre-FIRM buildings are being phased out through annual premium increases. Your full-risk rate is specific to the property, and an EC will be needed to calculate the property-specific full-risk rate. Depending on your elevation, the full-risk rate could already be lower than the subsidized rate.

Where to Get an Elevation Certificate for Your Building

1. Ask your local  floodplain manager. Every National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)–participating community has a  floodplain manager, but that person might have a different title or serve in multiple capacities.

2. Ask the sellers. When buying a property, ask the sellers to give you their EC. If they don’t have an EC, ask if they can provide one before settlement.

3. Ask the developer or builder. In a high-risk area, the developer or builder might have been required to get an EC at the time of construction.

4. Check the property deed. ECs sometimes are included with the property deed.

5. Hire a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or certified architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. For a fee, these professionals can complete an EC for you. To find a professional surveyor:

• Check with your State professional association for land surveyors. • Ask your State NFIP coordinator. • Talk to your local building permit office.

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Area West Engineers

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

(916) 725-5551

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