We went out today to carve out a portion of land to separate a shop building from the owner’s house. The exterior corners were all in place (3½” open top pipes). The division has several turns in the lines from front to back. Our client set ½” re-bars at each angle point over the weekend (except for the ones that would intersect the outer boundary). He knew that we would have to calculate those. In Georgia, we are required to place a cap or tag on every monument we set but not the ones we find. So, should I place a cap/tag on every ½” re-bar placed by the client since they are creating a new boundary? Or should I just describe them as I would a typical found monument? I think I should place a cap/tag on them and put a note on the plat with a simple explanation. Does anyone see a downside to that?
I think that is perfect.
I would personally place my cap on them if I had caps that fit 1/2" rebars and note on my survey (as you stated) that I capped the monuments as placed by landowner where he wanted the new corners to be located.
Or
Ask the landowner if he cared if you stated that you had set the monuments during your survey and that would not make a note necessary. Either way, there would be a record as to how the monuments came into being.
I disagree with removing the client's rebar. They absolutely show the intent of where he wanted them and leaving them in place and capping them is the best solution. The better you can leave the original marks showing the client's intent the better.
but maybe I'm being too anal....
I do have caps to fit so that seems to be the logical way to go. If I didn't, I think I would be inclined to set my own monuments either right beside his (pincushion?) or remove his setting mine at the same location (It would be pretty difficult to remove his).
As long as they met the minimum standard for size, length and sturdiness, I'd slap a cap on them and go on. You could to generalize it and say "1/2" rebar set this survey". No, it wasn't exactly set by you, but it was set for you and for the particular survey. I've had the same thing happen here, but we're not a capping state.
Carl
I am with Carl on this verify they meet the standards for the length.
Nothing anal about that. It's the best way. If the plastic caps won't fit, it is quite common (and required) to affix your RLS to the accepted monument. We wire on a brass tag with our number. In these parts it's more permanent than plastic caps.
Why does a monument set by a non-registrant need to meet the requirements established for registrants? If you're going to pull them out to see what their length is are you not removing and/or disturbing them? I'd just cap/tag them and put a not of the map that the owner set them.
> Why does a monument set by a non-registrant need to meet the requirements established for registrants? If you're going to pull them out to see what their length is are you not removing and/or disturbing them? I'd just cap/tag them and put a not of the map that the owner set them.
I was suggesting more along the lines of asking the person that set them. If he says they're 36" long and snug, I'd say that they are fine. If he's got a whole bunch of rebar laying around that are 16" long and it's soft ground, then there might be a problem. That's all I'm suggesting. 🙂
Carl
Having the client set the pins is no different that having your unlicensed helper set them.
Gotcha, although if he says they are 16" I would probably still just tag/cap them, assuming they were relatively secure in the ground...
When they call and tell you they know where they want the new line to be located, make an appointment to meet them on site. Then with your hammer, flagging, lath and monuments walk the line with them setting your monuments at the desired angle points. Do it often, don't understand making a big deal out of it. If they have placed their own markers, set straddles if it is that critical or use the holes as place keepers after pulling theirs so you can set yours in their place. Have even dropped off monuments for them to use, if that is what it takes. The only thing that counts is that the client gets what he wants, if it is legal, and the proper monuments are placed to memorialize the land division. Chickens do a lot of clucking, beginning to see some surveyors developing the same habit. As Larry would say, "Geter done" while leaving the proper tracks, no one really cares how you do it.
jud
setting pins before surveying
(for a subdivision) We try to drive as many of the monuments as we can before breaking out the total station. We do this for the same reasons as an intelligent land owner would divide his own property; to work around the natural features of the land when designing lots, as well as comforming w/ minimum lots sizes, min frontage, setbacks, etc.
By pacing, compass & tape, or whatever; many of the pins can be set first, and located on the first to the site. This saves much time, all avoid the errors in setting pins in the real world.
setting pins before surveying
Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer integers. Hard to stick something in the ground and get it to fall on the X0.00 foot line. I tend to toss my cookies when I find new tracts laid out that are 150.02 on one end and 149.97 on the other with side lines of 250.03 and 249.98. Do it right, lie, I don't care which, just make them suckers all 150 by 250.
I understand what you are doing, Perry, and sometimes that really does make sense. Work with the terrain instead of forcing a rectangle where one should not be.
However, you must understand that, being in PLSSia, we are stuck with millions of examples where Mother Nature would have recommended something other than a square for our sections.
setting pins before surveying
We don't have caping requirements but for those who do if you cap a monument it seems to me you stating the monument meets the standards.
> Having the client set the pins is no different that having your unlicensed helper set them.
I disagree. The client is showing you his intent with physical evidence. The unlicensed helper is working under your direction whereas client is giving you instructions and indicating his intent.
setting pins before surveying
> Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer integers. Hard to stick something in the ground and get it to fall on the X0.00 foot line. I tend to toss my cookies when I find new tracts laid out that are 150.02 on one end and 149.97 on the other with side lines of 250.03 and 249.98. Do it right, lie, I don't care which, just make them suckers all 150 by 250.
>
> I understand what you are doing, Perry, and sometimes that really does make sense. Work with the terrain instead of forcing a rectangle where one should not be.
>
> However, you must understand that, being in PLSSia, we are stuck with millions of examples where Mother Nature would have recommended something other than a square for our sections.
But when you set your pins at and even 250.000', you just know someone's gonna come along and measure a value of 249.96'.
setting pins before surveying
Since they were in place when you first arrived on the site, why can't they be described as being found? Monument size requirements only apply to those that are set by the surveyor.
setting pins before surveying
Put your cap on them and describe them as such.
I'm not sure who the victim would be if you capped them? I don't see an issue.
