Services We Offer
K-1 Boundary Stakeouts
This type of boundary stakeout is done to fulfill the requirements listed in section K-1 of the Purchase Contract and must be repeated each time the property is sold. The Surveyor will locate the corners of the property, which are usually identified by half-inch iron pipes, and will typically place flagged, wooden lathes near the pipes as the pipes by themselves may be difficult to see. A Survey Map is not provided with this type of survey.
K-2 Boundary Survey (includes map)
This type of boundary survey is done to fulfill the requirements listed in section K-2 of the Purchase Contract and must be repeated each time the property is sold. The Surveyor will locate the corners of the property, which are usually identified by half-inch iron pipes, and will typically place flagged, wooden lathes near the pipes as the pipes by themselves may be difficult to see. In addition to staking the property, the surveyor will indicate if any improvements along the boundary are encroaching either onto the subject property or onto neighboring property. A survey map showing these encroachments, if any, will be issued in a K-2 Survey.
Elevation Certificates
An elevation certificate is required when the owner is seeking flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, which is managed by the Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration (FIMA). An elevation certificate is also required by all counties in the State of Hawaii, when the owner builds a residence in either a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated flood zone or a community designated flood zone.
The elevation certificate certifies that the finished floor elevation is above the flood zone that governs. Final inspection on the new residence will not be approved by the county unless the elevation certificate is filed.
Condominium Property Regimes (CPR)
Condominium Property Regimes (CPR’s) are a form of ownership of real property and governing process created when the real property becomes a condominium. To create a CPR the sole owner or all of the owners including all of the lessees of a property must execute and file the declaration, bylaws, condominium map including floor plans and master deed or lease with the Bureau of Conveyance or Land Court.
The surveyor will be responsible for generating the CPR map and metes & bounds descriptions for each unit, easement and common element associated with the CPR. The services of an attorney will need to be rendered to file the bylaw and declarations.
Topographical Surveys
A topographical survey measures ground elevations which are used to generate a topographical map, which has contour lines – lines of equal elevation at a specific interval. Existing features, such as utilities, roads and buildings, will also be field surveyed and included on the topographical map. Topographical maps are used by Architects to design buildings, and Engineers to design new infrastructure.
Shoreline Certifications
A Shoreline Certification is generally required when an Owner whose property shares a boundary with the shoreline needs to determine the building setback for a new structure. Shoreline certifications are governed by the State of Hawaii while building setbacks are governed by the local County having jurisdiction over the property in question.
Subdivisions / Consolidations / Easements
A subdivision is created when a lot is divided into two or more smaller lots. A consolidation is created when two or more adjoining lots are joined to make one larger lot. Easements come in many forms. Easements are encumbrances to a piece of property, they grant the right to somebody other than the owner to use the land in a particular way. The most common types of easements are Access and Utility.
ALTA Surveys
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has specific rules regarding issuance of title insurance. Likewise title insurance companies require specific information. Title insurance companies insure title to land without exception as to the many matters which might be discoverable from survey and inspection but not be evidenced by the public records. In other words, title insurance companies want to know if there is a defect in title, for example encroachment, that is not in public record. This type of survey is typically requested when commercial property is being transferred, but in some cases private property buyers request an ALTA survey to ensure that there are no defects associated with the title of the property.
Construction Stakeouts
Construction stakeouts can range from setting out a single family residence to large subdivisions, roads, and utilities. Construction Staking is the process of interpreting construction plans and marking the location of proposed new structures such as roads or buildings. Construction staking is performed to ensure a project is built according to engineering design plans. The staked reference points guide the construction of proposed improvements on the property, and will help to ensure the construction project is completed on schedule, on budget and as intended.
Cell Tower Surveys
These types of surveys are done on existing communication tower compounds to create easements or new builds.
FAA 1-A Certifications
This type of survey is needed when the location and height above sea level is needed for a structure, usually done on towers
Bathymetric Surveys
Bathymetric Surveyors provide the surveying and mapping tools necessary to monitor coastline erosion, provide data for hurricane recovery programs, measure depths and computer volumes for dredging projects, locate and map submerged obstructions, and prepare for underwater construction. Measuring and mapping navigable water bodies and accompanying shorelines and beaches is essential to keeping coastal resources healthy, viable and safe. Hydrographic Surveying is also sometimes referred to as “Hydrographic Surveying”.
Aerial Drone Surveys
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV or “drone”) surveying and mapping has become a more efficient data collection process for some applications compared to traditional ground-based methods. Drones are particularly useful in collecting data for large area projects and in restricted access or unsafe areas. Additionally, UAVs can drastically improve the cost effectiveness of 3D topographic data collection and volumetric calculations. Construction, oil and gas, mining, forestry, and agriculture industries are all taking advantage of the relatively new technology. The most common scenarios for Aerial Drone Surveys include large urban and rural sites, survey grade photography, damage assessments, and unsafe or inaccessible areas.
