Services

This listing attempts to cover a majority of the services provided by our firm, we wish to express that we are not limited to what you will find on these pages.

These services are provided to individuals, small businesses, corporations, major industries, municipalities, and other government agencies.

Property Surveys (Urban & Rural)

(also known as a Boundary Survey) There is no national standard as with the ALTA/ACSM-NSPS Land Title Survey for these surveys, resulting in the features of this product varying greatly from state to state. In most states there are no standards, though some states, such as Iowa, standards are being imposed by state rules and regulations. Kess & Associates, Inc. has implemented those standards, combined with those of other states, and with several enhancements to provide the highest quality survey drawings.

Lot Survey (an existing site)

Locate and/or re-establish property corners from the existing legal description provided by the client or their representative of existing platted lands. Preparation of a "Plat of Survey" showing the property lines, monumentation data (found and/or set), and linear and angular dimensional data, with certification by a licensed professional land surveyor. Also to advise client of any possible encroachments found during field survey.

Parcel Survey (A new site)

Locate and establish property corners generating a new legal description for the client, based upon their requests and needs, severed from a larger existing platted lands. Preparation of a "Plat of Survey" showing the new property lines, monumentation data (found and set), and linear and angular dimensional data, with certification by a licensed professional land surveyor. Also to advise client of any possible encroachments found during field survey.

Farm Survey (an existing farm)

Similar to a lot survey, though much larger in scale and involving either whole sections or aliquot parts thereof. Locate and/or re-establish government corners and property corners from the existing legal description provided by the client or their representative of existing platted lands. Preparation of a "Plat of Survey" showing the property lines, monumentation data (found and/or set), and linear and angular dimensional data, with certification by a licensed professional land surveyor. Also to advise client of any possible encroachments found during field survey.

Farmstead Survey (an existing farm)

Similar to a farm survey and a parcel survey, though in this case involving the generating a new legal description for the client, based upon their requests and needs, severed from a larger parcel/farm. Locate and/or re-establish government corners and establish new property corners. Preparation of a "Plat of Survey" showing the property lines, monumentation data (found and/or set), and linear and angular dimensional data, with certification by a licensed professional land surveyor.

ALTA/ACSM-NSPS Land Title Surveys

The American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) with the cooperation of the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) developed a set of standards to use when preparing Land Title Surveys. These standards are designed to give the title insurer, the buyer, and/or the lender a map drawing (survey) showing where building, improvements, easements, and boundaries were on the property. The "1999" standards are the latest adopted version of these standards.

FEMA Elevation Certificates

Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.), Elevation Certificate, a Federal application form for property shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (F.I.R.M.) to be in a listed flood plain or flood hazard area, in order to show existing/proposed elevation is above the 100 year flood elevation (B.F.E./base flood elevation).

FEMA Letters of Map Amendment

Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.), Letter of Map Amendment (L.O.M.A.), a Federal application form for property shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (F.I.R.M.) to be in a listed flood plain or flood hazard area, in order to show the subject property elevation is above the 100 year flood elevation (B.F.E./base flood elevation) and that said property should be removed from the flood hazard designation listed on the map (F.I.R.M.).

Topographic and Contour Surveys

The distinguishing feature of a topographic survey is the determination of the location, both in planimetric (horizontal) and in elevation, of selected ground points which are necessary to the plotting of the contour lines and to the construction of the topographic map. This survey is similar to the ALTA-ACSM-NSPS Land Title Survey listed above, though less information is included. This map will show where the primary and any auxillary buildings are located, substantial improvements, easements (of record and prescription), and property lines on and near the subject property.

Site Development

Includes aspects of the topographic survey, determination of the location, both in planimetric (horizontal) and in elevation, of selected ground points which are necessary to the plotting of the contour lines and to the construction of the topographic map, and where the primary and any auxillary buildings are located, substantial improvements, easements (of record and prescription), and property lines on and near the subject property. This set of plans will also show proposed development of the site, proposed building locations, parking, drives, sidewalks, and landscaping. All to enable the client to obtain the necessary permits for construction. These plans will also be used in construction staking.

Subdivision Development

This type of survey also includes aspects of the topographic survey, determination of the location, both in planimetric (horizontal) and in elevation, of selected ground points which are necessary to the plotting of the contour lines and to the construction of the topographic map, and where the primary and any auxillary buildings are located, substantial improvements, easements (of record and prescription), and property lines on and near the subject property. This set of plans will also show proposed development of the land, proposed lot and street layout, utilities, building sites, parking, drives, sidewalks, and landscaping. All to enable the client to obtain the necessary permits for platting of the subdivision and the construction thereof. These plans will also be used in construction staking.

Construction Staking

Surveys for construction usually involve the following: (1) making a topographic survey of the site, to be used in preparation of plans for the proposed development, (2) establishment on the ground of a system of stakes or other markers, both in plan and elevation, from which measurements of earthwork or other construction can be conveniently by the construction personnel, (3) giving line and grade as needed either to replace stakes disturbed by construction or to reach additional points on the structure itself, and (4) making measurements necessary to verify the location of completed parts of the project and to determine the volume of work actually performed up to a given date, as a basis of payment to the contractor.

Route Surveys, Right of way acquisition

Surveys of some type are required for practically all route type construction work, whether highway, pipe line, or utilities. This process will include obtaining the necessary information regarding terrain and land use, making surveys to determine detailed topography and the location of planimetric features, and finally the staking of the proposed line on the ground.

Accident Investigations

The Professional Land Surveyor as a fact finder. The surveyor goes into the field to find evidence for the client, lines of site, grade changes, stopping distances, encroachments, etc., as may be required by law enforcement, insurance companies, and attorneys.

Expert Witness Testimony

The Professional Land Surveyor as a fact finder and a reporter of these same facts in a court of law. An extension of accident investigations, beginning with the surveyor goes into the field to find evidence for the client, lines of site, grade changes, stopping distances, encroachments, etc., as may be required by law enforcement, insurance companies, and attorneys, when settlement can not be reached and litigation has become the final option.

GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Surveys

Ground Control for Aerial Mapping

The primary purpose of a ground control survey is the determination of the location, both in planimetric (horizontal) and in elevation, of selected viewable ground points which are necessary to the preparation of the aerial map by the photogramatist.

Mine Surveying

The most significant difference of a mine survey is the determination of the location, both in planimetric (horizontal) and in elevation, of selected points which are necessary to the preparation of the mine map, is that a majority of the work is below the ground surface, either in man made tunnels or naturally occurring caverns.