One thing that really irks me is the request for a "plot plan" which I take to mean a cheaper version of a survey map. When I used Google to get an answer, I get this...
"Sometimes the terms survey and plot plan are used interchangeably; however, a plot plan is a simpler and less accurate version of a survey."
So, I want to know, who here does less accurate surveying. Is that a thing? ...and how is that accomplished?
The whole idea seems aimed at manipulating a lower price for professional services.
In today's request the client wants "plot plans" to build garages on several small lots that haven't had the benefit of a survey in one hundred years or more since they were created. He also wants it in a hurry.
So, what do you think a "plot plan" means??ÿ
That's been my understanding as well.
"Plot plan" = "Stick figure"?ÿ= "I don't want to pay survey prices, but want a surveyor to give me a survey"
If it ain't a survey, you don't need a surveyor.
Of course:
"Wants it in a hurry" = "You're paying well above market survey prices, or this conversation is over"
Do they mean a site plan??ÿ Proposed improvements plotted on a map? (hopefully based on a recent survey - sometimes on a record plat info)
Plot Plan is a boundary and a proposed house,,,garage,,,,office building,,,,,concrete,,,,,fence shown where it's to go, but the boundary needs to be done, otherwise why call a surveyor.?ÿ
There are people here who do house site plot plans without boundaries, a drawing layout using record plat dimensions and lidar topos.?ÿ
I don't take those on, I'm too expensive for them anyway.?ÿ
That would be correct. I also agree that if there was a recent survey of the property and there were fresh marks the situation might different. The term "plot plan" never made any sense to me. If it doesn't need to be accurate then why doesn't the builder do it himself?
Assuming that you work in Mass, I'm sure you're aware of the scourge of all surveying, the mortgage plot plan.
There've been threads here and on the old site discussing these, which moved neither side from their position.?ÿ
That said, I've produced plans which for a lack of anything better, I called, plot plan.?ÿ But they were the result of a real survey, and showed everything a boundary survey needed, just not what was needed to record at the Registry of Deeds, which wasn't desired by the client.?ÿ So, I ran afoul of no one, other than survey snobs who may have an issue of my plan title.
Aren't all plans plotted?
Yes, I am in Massachusetts so I know about the bank "surveys" and I thought the Board requested the term Mortgage Loan Inspections to distinguish from being a real survey. However, banks still call them "Tape Surveys" and other terms.
I refuse to work for mortgage loan inspections. Why can't banks just use GIS to get the information they need?
I agree.?ÿ I don't think that I've been party to one of those in decades, not since my first year or so in surveying, when I didn't really know what I was going to do when I grew up.?ÿ Certainly never did one as a licensed surveyor.
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The term plot plan is frequently used by cities that merely ask the owner requesting some action to provide them with a cartoon resembling their lot and improvements but showing where, and in what manner, the request would impact their tract.?ÿ Say the guy has a two acre lot with plenty of room to erect a basketball court.?ÿ The city wants to know where he wants to put it in relation to other improvements.?ÿ No survey is required unless he plans to put it up against one apparent edge of the property.?ÿ The city signs off on his permit and then returns later to confirm the final location compares to what was on the cartoon.
@not-my-real-name They don't use GIS because they are seeking another layer of liability that they can go to in case they need to recover their investment in the loan they are about to provide. It really isn't about surveying, as it is about what fee you want to charge for the potential of the bank using you/your insurance as the vehicle for their loss recovery.
I do Plot Plans quite regularly. They are a planning tool to figure out lot layouts before the actual Platting and monumentation is done.
I use them in the first meeting with the County Reviewer and with the client so I know what is feasible and we're all on the same page before I start surveying.
I usually underlay a Google Earth image so the client can visualize where those new property lines are going to be.
You are right. They are looking for someone to assume the liability.
@not-my-real-name, I get a lot of work from people who have used GIS maps!
