Geodesy Journal

When the rain hit Salt Lake City earlier this month, it wasn’t just another storm. It was the city’s rainiest day since 1901, flooding dozens of homes in Rose Park and Westpointe. Streets turned into streams, yards filled with debris, and entire blocks were underwater. For many homeowners, the flood left more than mud behind — it left unanswered questions about insurance, rebuilding, and property boundaries. That’s where a property survey comes in. If you’ve filed an insurance claim after a disaster, you’ve probably noticed that insurers now ask for new surveys before processing payouts or approving repairs. It might sound like another piece of paperwork, but after a major storm, an updated property survey can be the key to moving your claim — and your recovery — forward. When Floods Rewrite the Map Floods don’t just damage buildings; they change the land itself. Soil shifts, boundaries move, and drainage patterns alter. Corners that once marked property lines can get buried, washed a...

B uying or selling a home is stressful enough, but now there’s a new twist: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has officially lapsed. As of September 30, 2025, no new NFIP flood insurance policies or renewals can be issued until Congress takes action. That means if your property is in a FEMA flood zone, your closing could stall. Here’s where an elevation certificate comes in. This single document, prepared by a licensed surveyor, can make the difference between a deal collapsing and a deal closing. With coastal flood advisories already active in Duval County this week, buyers and lenders are paying closer attention than ever to flood risk. If you’re in the middle of a transaction, the certificate might be your fastest way forward. Why the NFIP Lapse Hits Jacksonville Closings Hard The NFIP isn’t just another government program; it’s the backbone of flood coverage across the country. Lenders who issue federally backed mortgages cannot close on properties in flood zones without...

A homeowner on Reddit shouted, “$3,500 plus $900 for pins? Seriously?” The post blew up, and I get why. Prices hit hard when you don’t see what’s inside the work. If you live in or around Enterprise, you probably wonder the same thing. You hear “ boundary survey ,” you picture a quick visit, a couple of measurements, and a simple map. But the truth runs deeper. And once you see it, the price starts to make sense. The sticker shock: what $3,500 actually buys People imagine a surveyor with a tripod and a 30-minute visit. But a real boundary survey doesn’t start at the curb. It starts at the courthouse, the GIS office, and the title file. First, the team pulls deeds, plats, and any prior surveys. Then the crew plans how to find or set corners on the ground. After that, they mobilize to your site with GPS rovers, total stations, and safety gear. They walk lines through brush, check fences that don’t match plats, and hunt for old iron rods that may sit six inches under roots or gravel. Next...

Construction projects depend on accuracy. Whether it’s laying out a new road, preparing a subdivision, or building a commercial site, even a few inches off can cause major problems. That’s why a construction surveyor plays such an important role. They make sure the plans on paper match the work happening on the ground. But what happens when equipment fails—like when a survey instrument tips over in the wind or loses calibration?  Why Accuracy Matters More Than Ever If a foundation gets staked in the wrong place, the building could encroach on a property line. If utility lines are marked a little off, crews might dig in the wrong spot. These mistakes don’t just create delays. They can lead to legal disputes, safety hazards, and expensive rework. In Sylacauga, where construction is growing and timelines are tight, accuracy is non-negotiable. Surveyors face tough conditions on site: rough terrain, sudden storms, heavy machinery moving around them. No matter the challenge, their job i...