Geodesy Journal

If you read homeowner forums or Reddit threads about flood insurance, one document comes up again and again: the elevation certificate . Many homeowners say they did not know they needed one until their lender or insurance company asked for it. Others say they were shocked by rising insurance costs and did not understand how to lower them. In a city like Columbus, where rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas affect flood risk, this confusion is common. An elevation certificate is meant to provide clarity, but for many people, it feels like another unexpected step in an already stressful process. Why Homeowners Keep Complaining Online Many online complaints start the same way. A homeowner receives a notice saying flood insurance is required or that premiums are increasing. The notice mentions an elevation certificate, but does not clearly explain what it is or why it matters. Homeowners often say they feel caught off guard. They may have owned the property for years without flood insurance...

If you spend time on homeowner forums or Reddit threads about buying property in Florida, one regret comes up again and again: “I wish I had ordered a property survey sooner.” In a city as large and diverse as Jacksonville, this regret is very common. With older neighborhoods, fast growth, and flood-prone areas, guessing where property lines fall often leads to stress, delays, and surprise costs. A property survey removes that guesswork. Still, many homeowners only see its value after something goes wrong. By the time a lender, neighbor, or city inspector raises a concern, the problem is already serious. Why Homeowners Keep Complaining About Property Surveys Online Across Reddit and real estate forums, the same stories appear over and over. A buyer skips the survey to save money. A seller assumes a fence marks the boundary. A homeowner starts a project without checking setbacks. Then an issue comes up, and everything comes to a stop. In Jacksonville, these problems are worse because o...

  When it comes to property boundaries, construction planning, or real estate transactions, accuracy isn’t optional. Small measurement errors can lead to major legal and financial problems down the line. That’s why working with a licensed surveyor is one of the most important steps a property owner can take. For homeowners, buyers, and landowners in Jacksonville, understanding what a licensed surveyor does — and why licensing matters — can help you avoid disputes, delays, and costly corrections. What a Licensed Surveyor Does A licensed surveyor is a trained professional authorized by the state to measure land, determine boundaries, and prepare legally recognized survey documents. Their work is used for property transfers, construction planning, permitting, and resolving boundary questions. Unlike unlicensed or informal measurements, surveys completed by a licensed surveyor meet state standards and can be relied on by lenders, title companies, and local authorities. This legal stan...

Property owners in coastal areas often ask the same question: is LiDAR mapping really necessary, or is it just an added cost? In places like Pensacola, Florida, this question comes up often. Many projects involve land near water, changing elevation, or drainage concerns. These factors make the decision harder than it seems. LiDAR mapping can provide detailed elevation data, but not every project needs it. Some property owners worry about paying for services they may not fully understand. Others are unsure if LiDAR mapping is required or optional. Understanding when LiDAR mapping adds value helps property owners make better choices and avoid paying for services they don’t need. For coastal projects, the answer often depends on land conditions, project size, and drainage needs. Why Property Owners Question the Cost of LiDAR Mapping LiDAR mapping is often seen as expensive compared to traditional surveys. Property owners may wonder why they should pay more for data that looks complex or u...