Construction and Topographic Surveys

When starting a new development project, land surveyors are often the first people on the ground. We are able to survey and prepare plans showing the topography of the parcel under survey, and other features such as utility fixtures, creeks, buildings and watercourses.   With this plan in hand, our clients and other professionals like biologists and geotechnical engineers are able to make design decisions such as access and building siting for the project.  Often times, the local governments rely on these plans to determine setback requirements from watercourses and steep slopes, to determine maximum building heights, and flood construction levels.

Once design plans are completed we can then ensure that the proposed construction is built within the required zoning setbacks and at the correct height to conform to any height restrictions.  On a typical house layout, we will stake the house location for excavation and then again for foundation construction.  After the foundation has been stripped of its forms, we are often required to certify the location of the foundation as part of the building inspection process.  For this purpose we will prepare a building location certificate. 

Building Location Certificates

Building Location Certificates (BLC’s) are surveys for the purpose of providing a certificate of building location on a particular parcel of land and may be requested by lawyers, notaries public, financial institutions, municipal building inspectors or owners.  It is normally accepted as proof by municipal officials and mortgage companies that there are no encroachment or zoning placement problems, and therefore represents a safeguard or protection to the permit holder or investor.

Recently with the introduction of Title Insurance in British Columbia, fewer buyers are getting BLCs of the property they intend to buy. It’s important that buyers understand that the main purpose of title insurance is to protect the lender from hidden interests in the property. In British Columbia, under the Torrens Land Title system, title is guaranteed to be correct with no hidden charges not shown on the title certificate. The main benefit of a BLC versus title insurance is that the BLC gives an accurate record of the  state of the property and as a planning tool for any future works on the property.

For more information on Building Location Certificates and Title Insurance in British Columbia, please click here to view the Information Guide