head Calvada Surveying, Inc: November 2017

Wednesday 15 November 2017

Role of Land Surveyors in Surveying Lands in Los Angeles

Cartographers are skilled at mapping the earth, but they don’t necessarily pay attention to precise and exact boundaries. Surveyors, on the other hand, collect exact measurements of the earth, marking boundaries particularly in areas where people may have vested interest. It is a land surveyor’s duty not only to measure properties purchased or sold, but also to locate roads, buildings, utilities, and other such land structures or features for real estate developers, as well as to measure the exact limits or extents of mining claims, while mapping their precise locations on the map. Without them, land ownership, development, and construction would turn to chaos. Surveyors play an enormously important role to the public.

Engineering projects are much like puzzles, the design and planning of which are largely based upon the different surveying instruments land surveyors use. The construction of buildings and other establishments and structures such as bridges, highways, dams, and tunnels, require properly surveyed areas. Without professionally calculated and evaluated measurements, engineers, designers, and constructions would not know how each piece of the puzzle fits together. Execution of projects also rely greatly on the lines, points, and boundaries that are established through land surveying.

This said, land surveying in Los Angeles is a basic requirement for all building projects and surveyors are typically expected to:

  • Collect accurate field data
  • Prepare maps or plans of the surveyed area (either an orthographic or a graphical representation of the features or structures on or close to the surface of the earth
  • Analyze and calculate field parameters for setting out actual engineering, design, or construction works and operations
  • Set out field parameters on site for additional or further works
  • Fix property boundaries and establish control points
  • Ascertain specific locations of earth or property features
  • Write legal description of parcels; and
  • Delineate boundaries of interest according to their on-site survey and the records available in land offices

Friday 3 November 2017

Benefits of 3D Laser Scanning Survey in the Architecture Industry

The architecture and construction industries continue to benefit from new technology, allowing faster completion of as-built surveys, which used to take a huge chunk of project assessment periods. Using a 3D laser scanner, it is easy to get precise measurements of sites by simply bouncing laser points off terrains, buildings, and structures, and tracking their flight paths as the points return to the scanning device. Millions of these data points are then assembled into a point cloud, which results in an accurately detailed representation of the site feature scanned. In addition to supporting accurate as-built surveys, below are other benefits of 3D laser scanning in the architecture and construction industry:

  • Perhaps the greatest advantage of 3D laser scanning is allowing fast and accurate data collection in one streamlined scanning session. This compresses weeks-worth of measurement into a day or two of quick and easy scanning work, after which all the data collected can easily be worked and processed without the need to return to site to collect more data. This is also helpful when it comes to project expansions or changes in project plans, as data collected is more than enough for future plans.
  • Laser scanning offers extreme accuracy, which results in precise reproductions of surveyed structures through 3D modeling and similar types of visual presentations. This is as good as being on site and allows project team members to create plans with utmost confidence that they are working with great precision.
  • 3D laser scanning is becoming the preferred method of surveying for all kinds of architecture and construction projects. Because of its convenience and accuracy, the technology is fast catching on in many industry settings and for a wide range of purposes. Another great thing about 3D scanning is that accurate data can be preserved for future use, in case of adding new systems or retrofitting new structures.

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Tips on Hiring a Professional Land Surveyor for Surveying Your Land

If you own property or are planning to buy or build on one, having a go-to professional land surveyor will come in handy come when you decide to develop, remodel, or even sell what you own or make a new purchase. Many times, property owners make their choice based solely on a surveyor’s asking price, which all too often leads to great dissatisfaction with the results and the overall quality of the survey. Below are some top tips to help you avoid mistakes in hiring a professional surveyor and ensure the quality of the service you will receive:

Choose a licensed professional. Make sure that the company you are looking at is licensed to perform the services they offer within your jurisdiction. Understand that there are certain certifications and qualifications they should meet to be able to provide land surveying services and perform the task according to industry standards and state regulations.
Ask about liability insurance. The last thing you want is costly mistakes, especially when making a significant investment on a property. Professional liability insurance protects you from mistakes that your land surveyor might make while on the job. The same applies to worker’s compensation insurance.
Experience in the type of survey you need is of paramount importance. Land surveyors specialize in different types of surveys. Make sure that the company you are eyeing has ample experience in the kind of service you need done. Surveyors may focus on any of the following specializations: topographic surveys, construction layout, mapping, land development and boundary surveys, geodetic surveys, and others.
Choose professionals that are keen on development. Continuing education is important as this ensures relevance in the field. The best land surveyors are those who keep abreast of professional and technological advancements in their fields, as they are able to provide you with the best services the industry has to offer.
State of the art equipment. Ask about your prospect surveyor’s tools and equipment. While traditional methods are still acceptable and highly reliable survey forms, modern practices are simply more cost-effective and time-efficient. This is why there is great value in companies that keep up to date with the latest developments in the surveying world.


Hire California Land Surveyor to Establish Boundary Lines of Your Property

A California land surveyor is a professional you can call to establish your property’s boundary lines before you build anything on it. You may hire a land surveyor before making any changes, expansions, renovations, or adding a structure on your property, that way, you can be sure that you are building within your boundary lines and you will not encroach on a neighbor’s property. Land surveying may be required if you are buying property, too, as it is a process that validates, defines, and plots the boundary lines and other features within the land, including other critical characteristics listed on the deed, such as the fences, utilities, streets, and location of the buildings.

When you hire a California land surveyor, you will need to make sure that their service is worth your time and money. So, take some time to look up only the best land surveyors in the state and make sure they are reputable. Consider a land surveyor that has been in business for decades in California. This way, you can trust their expertise and knowledge in conducting boundary surveys according to state zoning and property laws.

Only work with a licensed land surveyor in California and make sure they have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau. You may check with the BBB for any complaints, which previous clients may have filed against them. Make sure that the surveyor is highly recommended in the state, too. Reputable ones are known to many engineers, telecommunications professionals, environmental clients, and government offices and are highly recommended by them.

The process of establishing boundary lines on property is not merely about making measurements. It involves research and analysis of the land and previous surveys, which may have been conducted on the property, too. This way, a California land surveyor can cross-check and verify data that may affect the way you use your land. Boundary surveys can be helpful in case of dubious lands, too. For faster and accurate results, surveyors use the latest equipment and technologies, like GPS and high-definition 3D laser scanning.