Our Services
Below is a list of services we typically offer. Don't see what you need? Give us a call! Please click on the survey link to be directed to a brief description of that survey type. You may request an estimate or order a survey by clicking here or using the links at the top of the page.
•ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey ALTA/NSPS stands for two separate entities. American Land Title Association and National Society of Professional Surveyors. These are national organizations that have jointly developed standards for surveys that typically exceed the maximum standards required by any one State. This is done to standardize the requirements necessary for surveys for clients across state lines and for ALTA title insurance policies. Typically this is only required for high value residential or commercial property. ALTA surveys have a checklist referred to as “Table A” clients must fill out to request any additional information that may be required. Please refer to the “Forms” button above for the latest Table A and ALTA instructions. Please note normally the more items needed on the Table A form affect the cost of the survey.
•Boundary Survey The State of Florida defines a Boundary Survey as “a survey, the primary purpose of which is to document the perimeters, or any portion thereof, of a parcel or tract of land by establishing or re-establishing corners, monuments, and boundary lines, such as for the purpose of describing the parcel, locating fixed improvements on the parcel, dividing the parcel, or platting.” The State of Florida has developed specific stringent requirements for the completion of a boundary survey. Many governing entities require a boundary survey for permitting, platting or parcel dividing purposes. It is best to check with the local governing authority that has jurisdiction in the matter.
•As-built (Record) Survey An As-built Survey (also known as a Record Survey) is the survey of improvements that have been built. This is normally used for commercial construction and is required by government entities to confirm the items, as they were built, conform to approved design specifications. This type of survey might or might not include boundary determination.
•Construction Layout Survey A Construction Layout Survey is typically survey field work performed to layout horizontal and/or vertical points for the purpose of construction of various improvements. Unless specifically requested ahead of time a Construction Layout Survey does not result in a survey map being made for the client.
•Consultant Services Our company offers a wide range of consult services for our clients including other surveyors who are experiencing a temporary uptick in orders. Please call for a quick quote today.
•Drone Photographic Services Employing a FAA licensed Part 107 pilot we are able to perform a number of survey and/or marketing related photographic services such as aerial photography for marketing purposes, site insepction or survey services.
•Elevation Certificate The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a government organization that underwrites most flood insurance policies. If the building of the subject property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) it is a requirement of any loan to purchase a flood insurance policy. FEMA developed the Elevation Certificate Form to provide certain information to the insurance agents required for writing the policy. Additionally the Elevation Certificate was designed to give the local county officials necessary information for the permitting and floodplain compliance purposes. If you are not getting a loan for the purchase of your property this is not a requirement however we recommend getting the insurance if you are in the SFHA.
•Final Survey A Final Survey is a survey of all constructed improvements. It includes the setting of all property corners that may have been removed during construction, the location of all final constructed improvements and existing elevations of the building and surrounding land to confirm everything has been built within allowable tolerances. Confirm with the local governing body to confirm an Elevation Certificate is not needed at this time as well.
•Flood Zone Determination In order to determine if an elevation certificate may be required you must first determine in the building is in a SFHA. A Flood Zone Determination verifies if a building lines in the SFHA.
•Foundation Survey A Foundation Survey is a survey that is completed during the time a building or addition’s foundation is going to be completed. There are two types of foundation surveys, a formboard foundation or a concrete foundation. A formboard foundation is a foundation completed BEFORE the foundation is poured when the formboards exist. A concrete foundation is done AFTER the concrete is poured. Typically the local government entity requires a concrete foundation however you or your developer will need to check with them to be sure. We also recommend a formboard foundation for the purpose of verifying the formboard for the foundation meet specifications. It is much easier and less costly and time consuming to revise a foundation before the concrete is poured rather than after.
•FEMA Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allows for homeowners or their representative to apply to remove a building from a Special Flood Hazard Area thereby potentially removing the requirement for flood insurance if certain requirements are met. This typically takes some time and will not be completed prior to closing. Also FEMA may or may not approve the request. Lastly even though FEMA may issue a LOMR the lending institution may still require flood insurance be purchased. It is best to check with your lender before ordering this service.
•LIDAR Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) is the process of measuring distances on land using a near-infrared laser. It is essential for large civil-engineering and roadwork projects which require locating topographic information on land.
•Mortgage Survey A Mortgage Survey is a survey that is used for title purposes for the sale or purchase of property. The survey locates existing improvements as they relate to each other and to the approximate location of the boundary lines. It will show easements and other matters of title that have been provided to the surveyor or were uncovered during research for the property. Many times, the survey will also list possible encroachments that have been observed.
•Specific Purpose Survey A Specific Purpose Survey is a type of survey that does not fall under any other survey listed here. Perhaps someone needs a survey for a dock. Perhaps someone does not want a topographic survey completed but needs a Normal High Water Line located or needs some spot elevations only where a new pool or addition is to be added. These are all various types of surveys, among many others, that would fall under the umbrella of a specific purpose survey.
•Subdivision Platting When someone would like to divide a parcel of land into several smaller parcels sometimes the governing authority will require a subdivision. The number of lots required to trigger this platting requirement is totally dependent on the governing authority. Some are as restrictive as dividing a parcel into two or more parcels while other ordinances are not as stringent. It is best to make sure what the requirements are from the local governing authority. Usually there are several surveys that are required such as a boundary, topographic, tree location and wetland location surveys. Only the local authority can tell you exactly what is needed. Many of these surveys can be done at the same time easing the cost. Surveyors also draft the mylar plat for recording and the setting of monuments, permanent control points and property corners pursuant to Part 1 of Chapter 177 of the Florida Statutes.
•Topographic Survey A Topographic Survey is a survey that shows the vertical relief of the property. It can contain many items but most commonly are spot elevations, centerline and curb elevations, location of the Normal High Water Line (if the property abuts a lake where it has been determined) and the finished floor elevation of any existing livable structures. A topographic survey also includes the establishment of at least two on-site benchmarks known as Temporary Benchmarks (TBMs). This type of survey is usually requested when there is going to be some designing for construction or for platting purposes.
•Tree Location Survey A Tree Location Survey is the location of trees that meet a governing authority’s regulations. Typically the local governing authority has a minimum tree size and what types of trees (oak, pine, etc) that must be located. Before you order a tree location survey it is prudent to get the requirements from the local governing authority that has requested the survey.
•Wetland Location Survey A Wetland Location Survey is a survey to locate previously marked wetland flags. Surveyors are not environmental engineers. Most surveyors will not mark or locate wetlands in the field unless they are marked (flagged) by an environmental engineer. Typically the environmental engineer that is hired will provide the number and labeling of flags that were placed and may also provide a sketch showing the approximate location of these flags. Many times, if a property needs a wetland location survey performed it is overgrown and swampy and will take a surveyor a good bit of time to locate each marked location. Surveyors should, at the very least, be provided how many flags and the map from the engineer prior to conducting the work and may request the map before quoting the service. There is a big difference in the amount of work to be performed if there are 100 flags as opposed to only 10 for example.
About Us
Our Story
4M Surveying & Mapping Services, Inc, has been in business since 2011. Originally a survey consulting firm, we have expanded our services to now be a full-service survey company offering a wide range of surveying solutions to meet your needs. Surveys ranging from residential to commercial to construction there is no job too large or too small for us to help you meet your goals. Locally owned and operated, our experienced staff has structured our company's priorities to be centered on customer service, honesty, integrity and a desire to be the best. 4M Surveying & Mapping Services, Inc strives to offer exceptional customer service in the form of timeliness, accuracy, honesty and a willingness to put the customer's needs first.
Our Surveyor
Our surveyor, Joseph Williamson, was born in Titusville, Florida and has remained in the central Florida area his entire life. At the age of 16 he began his career in surveying as a rodman. While learning from his exceptional mentors the art and science of surveying, Joe learned the "old school" methods of surveying. He quickly advanced through the ranks and strived to become a licensed surveyor. In 2001, at the age of 26, he became a licensed surveyor in Tennessee. Joe now currently holds survey licenses in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and a Certified Floodplain Manager's license in Florida. He is also a licensed drone pilot with the FAA. Over the course of his more than 30 - year surveying career he has worked on many projects including 3000+ acre boundary surveys, ALTAs on hotels and resorts, cellular tower projects, roadway projects, the MIA mover in Miami, Striping, regrading and repaving runways and building new terminals at local airports, construction stakeouts from large commercial subdivisions down to a single lot house build, countless residential "mortgage" surveys and the list goes on. Joe is the proud father of 3 wonderful daughters.
Our Commitment
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Our commitment to you, the consumer, is to strive to provide the very best service the industry has to offer. We will strive to take on any challenge you send our way and to provide you with the best customer service available in the industry. You will always find a smile and a friendly face at 4M Surveying & Mapping Services, Inc. We realize one of the common complaints with the industry is the inability to complete projects within the provided timeframe. We will provide you with realistic completion times and strive to meet the deadline as expected. Should any unforeseen circumstance arise, we will inform you of any potential delay and the cause of said delay. We will not keep you in the dark concerning your project.