V3 strives to provide the highest level of service to our clients. Part of that mission is to communicate information that helps make your project more efficient and cost effective.
The following briefs highlight a specific short topic of surveying that may offer insight or serve as a quick refresher of something that affects the survey component of your project. These topics - developed from many of the questions about survey and layout services we receive - will be added to quarterly. If there's something you'd like to have covered, please let us know by clicking the following e-mail: info@v3co.com. |
Why do I need site control?
Site control is often the first item in a construction surveying proposal. Before surveyors can set a stake in the ground, they must first get on the same system as the engineering plans.
When V3 prepares engineering plans, it's typical for us to also have prepared the original topographic survey. In this case, both survey and plan set will be on the same system. However, the control points set in the ground often move due to weather or construction processes. These existing points need to be checked and likely will have to be reset for the proposed construction work. More... |
Will I need Record Grading Surveys?
The answer to this is clear cut: Absolutely, "yes". Every detention, retention or storm water management system has to be surveyed before a municipality, county or state will accept the improvements and reduce the client's letter of credit.
This survey shows the inflow and outflow pipe elevations, the existing water elevation (if the pond is holding water), the contours and shape of the pond, details of the overflow construction and any restrictor structure details. The drawing is reviewed by the engineer of record, who determines if it will perform the way it was designed or if changes will need to be made. Once the pond appears acceptable, the engineer will sign and seal to this effect and forward it on to the governing authority for their records and acceptance. |
Should dry utilities be included in layout scope of services?
The answer is it really depends on the complexity of the project and what you want in your scope of services. Many infrastructure and building projects require the layout and installation of wet and dry utilities. First, let's take a quick look at the difference between them.
· As you might expect, wet utilities are constructed to move liquids: Sanitary sewers move sewage, storm sewers move rain water, and water main moves potable water.
· Dry utilities include everything else: electric lines, natural gas, cable television, etc.
Wet utilities are always shown in the civil engineering plan set and almost always will be included with the scope for layout. However, dry utilities usually will not be included with the bid or construction set of plans. They often show up as a rough sketch forwarded to the general contractor towards the end of infrastructure construction. Sometimes the dry utility design will require layout, sometimes it won't.
At V3, we work hard to keep our service fees low. If a scope and fee is included for every possible contingency, the proposal would get higher as a result. The best way to make sure all necessary layout for your project will be accounted for is to contact your V3 surveyor and discuss the work prior to the proposal being finalized. We'll tailor a scope that satisfies your needs and help you make certain that when comparing proposals you can make an easy apples-to-apples comparison.
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