Does construction layout fall under the direction of a professional land surveyor or professional engineer in NC?
Can one or the other do it?
Can an unlicensed person do it, i.e. someone working for a construction company?
> Does construction layout fall under the direction of a professional land surveyor or professional engineer in NC?
>
> Can one or the other do it?
>
> Can an unlicensed person do it, i.e. someone working for a construction company?
1. No
2. Yes, but I would check them.
3. Yes
If "as-built" drawings are part of the contract/scope those may need to be certified by PLS or PE depending on type of documentation submitted.
Interesting. That's pretty much how it is here. Is it like that in most states?
I don't see the need for a license to do construction stakeout. It can be just as treacherous as boundary surveying if not more so, but usually it primarily involves field work and not signing plans. It also doesn't often require a professional opinion and is more technical in nature.
Also, I like that it leaves an avenue for unlicensed surveyors to make a very good living. This is especially true in light of the increased number of states requiring a 4-year degree for the license. There are plenty of good surveyors here who will never get the license, but at least they can make good money in the construction industry if they have the know-how and work ethic. (I feel bad I am currently taking up a spot)
In NY where I am, this is the case. Many non licensed surveyors work for larger construction firms, not as contractors but actually on the payroll with benefits. Some friends of mine who work for said companies make more money doing construction layout than I do as a licensed surveyor. It's probably considerably more profitable to these construction firms to have their own surveyors (so long as they are skilled to fit the bill and reliable) in house. No down time waiting for a crew, no billing disputes... The few that I know are very good and they are paid accordingly.
The North Carolina Board has issued policy statement (not an official ruling) that Construction Staking falls within the scope of land surveying: http://www.ncbels.org/Policies/Construction%20Staking%20BP-1003-1.pdf That said, I have yet to see this ruling enforced in any way, and there is debate as to whether this would stand up in court or politically (building contractors have a lot more money and influence than us lowly surveyors) if the Board did try to enforce it. A stricter interpretation of the policy, one which may be enforceable, is that the establishment of construction control based on property boundaries falls under the definition of land surveying (i.e. a land surveyor must establish site control, but anyone else can do the stakeout).. The board has also been pushing for enforcement of a related policy which states that 3D site models must be prepared by a surveyor or engineer. A full catalog of all of the NC Board's policy positions is available on their web-site.
With the advent of GPS grading, we have had a number of projects where we pretty much just establish a network of site control, and then the contractor/grade takes over from there. This way, the contractor can point to the fact that a licensed surveyor established control with reference to the property boundaries.
If the construction company is staking on their own project they can stake it . If they go outside the project and offer staking, it would be considered a violation.
So if I am understanding the implications of that, someone without a license cannot start a stakeout company. You would have to work for a construction contractor and only work on their jobs. I'm not sure how that works here....I'm sure if you tried to start a stakeout business and didn't have anyone with a license you would eventually get shutdown somehow. People wouldn't like it.
No cannot start a staking company with out a licensed.
Sorry, but you have been given some misleading answers by some on this board. The definition of surveying includes construction staking in NC and thus should be performed under the direction of a PLS. The board has issued an advisory opinion of this and has enforced the rule. Those that ignore the board do so at their own peril.
Ive been in the heavy construction field for 15+ years now. I have a few friends who are land surveyors. They can not do what I do lol. I also own my own (stake out company) corporation that we do all construction stakeout. If I need to stakeout a new building, or foundation, I work with licensed surveyors who will provide me with property line and grade. From these points I will stakeout the rest of the project. Its a different line of work. Its hard for a construction firm to hire a Land surveyor, hand them a set of drawings and say I need these bolts marked out on top of the 35' wall. Make sure the men have the correct bolts and pattern. Stay up there while they install the bolts and make sure they are correct. Its just a different type of work. Its like having a concrete carpenter build your kitchen and install crown molding lol. Its just a different line of work no matter how you look at it.
I would talk to someone with your state board for a more definitive answer before taking on a job. If a building has a setback from a property line, are you allowed to determine what monuments to set on to stake it @ its setback? Is there a limitation in your state statutes that says that if the control is tied to boundary it must be done by a land surveyor? Of course, I'm not giving you a hard time for asking on this board, because there is probably some guys that have a definitive answer. But I am suggesting that you study the statutes, and/or talk to someone on a state board in case they can warn you as to what lines you can and can't cross.
Oh, and for the record, I emailed a question to the NC state board and got a quick and concise reply to my question (regarding licensing in NC). From that response, I think they might be willing to help you out with your questions. I would suppose that they would actually appreciate a non-licensed construction survey asking these kinds of questions.
