I look at a lot of survey maps in my research of a project as I am sure you do too.
One curiosity is the way surveyors note buildings, and in particular, the houses.
Instead of simply writing the house number in the outline of the building they write something like “wood frame dwelling” and that is irritating. While dwelling is a synonym for house it sounds unnecessarily formal. Besides that, I think the house number would be more helpful.
It’s like the highway signs that announce “Lodging Next Exit.” I mean have you ever asked for or needed lodging in plain language? Have you ever referred to a house as dwelling, domicile or abode?
And what about dilapidated houses. Do we then write shack, dump or hovel?
Just give me the house number please.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
Common practice hereabouts is to label lots with lot numbers or deed references. Addresses could be useful, too. The address of my own home changed when we added an ADU to the property several years ago.Identifying the type of structure that is tied is important, I think. Said structure may be knocked down and replaced with a structure of an entirely different character. I'd avoid making subjective judgements when choosing words to describe them. Objective descriptions like "unoccupied wood frame house" are appropriate.
I look at a lot of survey maps in my research of a project as I am sure you do too.
One curiosity is the way surveyors note buildings, and in particular, the houses.
Instead of simply writing the house number in the outline of the building they write something like “wood frame dwelling” and that is irritating. While dwelling is a synonym for house it sounds unnecessarily formal. Besides that, I think the house number would be more helpful.
It’s like the highway signs that announce “Lodging Next Exit.” I mean have you ever asked for or needed lodging in plain language? Have you ever referred to a house as dwelling, domicile or abode?
And what about dilapidated houses. Do we then write shack, dump or hovel?
Just give me the house number please.
I see your point, I agree provide the house number. I also disagree. We survey, "observe" in a hundred years perhaps the use, and observed condition of a site during our time period will matter. I report what I see and let the next guy down the road determine if that information is relevant to their survey.
Most will include the assessors parcel identification and deed references. It's the "wood frame dwelling" without any other identifying language that is puzzling. And unless the house was built before numbers were required, then that is more important than what materials were used.
I can tell by the configuration if a building has been replaced or if additions were made. It's just that I was taught to write the way I talk. Keeping language simple, and not unusually formal is better. I don't think that anyone refers to their house as a dwelling.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
Wood Frame Dwelling? Report them to the Bar Association and the Board of Architecture for practicing without a license. 😉
Existing Structure is my go to after spending more time than is necessary figuring out sheds, garages, houses with attached garages or woodsheds etc. For engineering surveys, I'll list the house # in the mailbox code (MBX 205) and the finished floor elevation (FFE H#205).
If it's clear what the structure is I put a simple label on it like house, shed, garage, or barn, and if it's not clear what it is I just hatch the building and put "existing building" in the legend. It's really unlikely I'd put an address or owner name on there since those can change pretty easily. Lately I've switched to listing both the parcel number and deed instrument number I used and I like that way of doing things.
I prefer a more detailed description such as "3 story brick dwelling" some property lines around here are referenced off the bldg. So the question becomes is it the same building or a rebuild on the rough footprint or entirely different.
I had one case (no map just the deed to work with) where there was a dispute between myself and another surveyor over a PL tied to a building that was rebuilt 50± years ago which was then 125± years after the original deed tie to the original building. He used the current building which was wood frame and not the original brick. Long story short, I put the line in based upon the bldg to the west that was original and had a tie to in the old deed. It was only a couple of feet different but significant.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
Today we found a well house on a property we were surveying, and I will label it so, because I think that is significant
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
I dunno, maybe we should remain focused:....
Split level Ranch, homo-sapiens nuclear family habitable domicile with blue curtains.
🤓
I'm with not-my-real-name on this. Having the street number shown on the plans I research would be very handy, but is remarkably rare. I show it on my plans. Street number assignments don't change all that often.
Just for fun, I have used "dwelling" in a sentence. I feel compelled to employ "domicile" in the near future for maximum linguistic impact.
Once upon a time I was creating a route map for a six-mile road improvement project. We were asked to identify land usage and buildings within 100 feet of the road center line. in the corner of a fenced area, I put the label "HOG WALLOW". This led to the question, "What the heck is that?" I invited them to drive by and take a look. They did. Anwered that question. About 30 full-grown hogs were observed 'wallowing' in depressions of mud and water in the shade on a hot, sunny Summer afternoon.