It used to be just storm and sanitary sewer as-builts. In some municipalities, you might as well just to do a complete post-construction topo of the subdivision. Problem is that the builder has tons of cash tied up in escrow so they want you out there as soon as something is completed so you can get it located and turned into the inspector. If it passes, they get some money back.
It feels like extortion to allow someone to feel powerful. I would like it better if that person was just getting a bribe, at least then it would not be wasted wealth squandered into the ether of someone's ego.
That would be a full time job.
You might be surprised just how much influence a well worded email can have.
And, placing coordinates, projection data and scale factor on plans. No one ever asked about these as the reviewer has no idea what they are, they are just on a checklist and they damn well need be on the plan or you do not get approval.
As-builds (record drawings) have a purpose but each locale has their own requirements. Some require digital pdf's, some paper - go figure.
Not sure what they all will do with these coordinates when the clock changes
Not sure what they all will do with these coordinates when the clock changes
That's what they'll do. Having this utility ready is a big part of the holdup.
@hpalmer I have a copy of the draft that NGS states what is recommended meta data for surveys engineers drawings and such for the new datum. I showed it to my boss and he was like where are we going to fit that information in lol. I have very little time here in VA but over tge last couple years i can count on one hand where i find more that nad83 a zone grid bearings. I see the coordinates on a few pins navd 88 or ngvd 29 even one that stated ground distances. Not one factor Or where they even scaled from. Luckily its only a few jobs where i could have used that meta data. Would have saved a lot of time for sure. For stake out.
In my area it varies by county. The two we primarily practice in always require as builts for subdivision approval. My home county doesn't require as builts. Of course they will when they rewrite or recopy their subdivision regulations from another County that already has that requirement.
Surveyor specific requirements can be found on page nine. This is one of the more stringent set of requirements I've dealt with in North Carolina, but if you're going to make a requirement for an as-built, you might as well be specific.
I view it as a form of takings, despite the fact that the as-built requirements are known to developers prior to the onset. At the very least, municipalities should waive review fees in recognition that they are receiving useful and valuable data.
I'm concerned that the discussion is drifting away from the original question. I'm not asking if as-builts are required in your area, I'm asking if they need to be based on a certified survey of the as-constructed works, and not just on markups by the contractor and/or inspectors.
The two main counties we practice in do require an as built plat signed and sealed by a PLS. I believe at least one of them will accept as builts signed and sealed by a PE.
I'm concerned that the discussion is drifting away from the original question. I'm not asking if as-builts are required in your area, I'm asking if they need to be based on a certified survey of the as-constructed works, and not just on markups by the contractor and/or inspectors.
A resounding "yes", as-builts must be certified by either a PLS or PE. It would be unwise to trust a contractor to certify their own work. Especially when much of that work is buried underground. Too much temptation to skimp on the work.
It used to be just storm and sanitary sewer as-builts. In some municipalities, you might as well just to do a complete post-construction topo of the subdivision. Problem is that the builder has tons of cash tied up in escrow so they want you out there as soon as something is completed so you can get it located and turned into the inspector. If it passes, they get some money back.
It feels like extortion to allow someone to feel powerful. I would like it better if that person was just getting a bribe, at least then it would not be wasted wealth squandered into the ether of someone's ego.
The municipalities and creditors learned from the 2008 housing debacle when many subdivisions were in mid-construction and the developers went under and walked away leaving infrastructure unfinished.
A resounding "yes", as-builts must be certified by either a PLS or PE.
Both. PE signs the set, the PLS has their certification added to each page that they have information on.
It would be unwise to trust a contractor to certify their own work.
Don't we have inspectors?
You can see how much weight they place on the inspectors, I guess.
BTW, around here, they video each and every pipe and get a third party cert for materials, etc.
The municipalities and creditors learned from the 2008 housing debacle when many subdivisions were in mid-construction and the developers went under and walked away leaving infrastructure unfinished.
This would not stop that at all.
