Land Surveying: The Foundation of Every Successful Project
Before we design anything, we begin with a Land Survey to document existing conditions. This becomes the basis for all sound engineering decisions.
Topographic (“Topo”) Survey—Captured In‑House
We perform Topographic Surveys in‑house as part of our design services to ensure the quality of data and sufficient survey data for design is obtained. Better survey data results in:
- More accurate civil engineering plans
- Seamless blending of proposed grading and improvements with existing conditions during construction
Property Lines vs. Lines of Occupation
One of the most important outcomes of surveying is knowing exactly what you own—and what you’re responsible for maintaining. Fences, tree lines, and other “lines of occupation” often do not match the recorded deed lines. As professional Land Surveyors, we:
- Survey existing improvements and boundary evidence
- Analyze deeds, plats, and monuments (e.g., iron pipes)
- Make a professional determination and advise you so you can make informed decisions (such as relocating or rebuilding a fence to match true property lines)
Real‑world example: Our team encountered two iron pipes approximately six inches apart from each other at the expected property corner location. Which was the true corner? We investigated, evaluated the record and physical evidence, and provided a professional determination; preventing future boundary disputes and construction risk.
Environmental Features: Wetlands, RPA, Floodplains
Our Land Surveying services go beyond solely determining the location of property lines. You may be aware through county GIS maps that your property has a stream and wetlands on it (See example of a Loudoun County GIS Map below), but those maps are approximate and for general information purposes only.
If your property includes streams, wetlands, or sensitive resources, we field‑verify and accurately delineate those environmental resources through a structured process:
- Wetland Scientists investigate and flag wetland and stream limits per the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.
- Our Land Surveyors locate the flags and add them to the Existing Conditions Survey Plan.
- We coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to request a determination letter confirming findings.
- We also delineate Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) and FEMA/County Floodplains on your topo survey.
This ensures you know precisely what areas are buildable and what areas must be protected, which is critical for permit approval and sustainable land development.
More than Topography: Utilities, Septic Field, and Well Locations
Even on sites without protected natural resources, a Topographic Survey involves far more than capturing elevations and ground contours. Our Existing Conditions Surveys document every critical element needed for proper design and permitting, including:
- Utility Markings: We locate above‑ground and marked underground utilities to confirm they fall within their recorded easements and to identify any potential conflicts early in the design process.
- Septic System Data: We survey the locations of existing and proposed drainfields, test pits and markings from your AOSE Septic Designer (Authorized On‑Site Soil Evaluator) to ensure accurate placement and compliance with health department requirements.
- Well Information: If a site has an existing well or is planning a new one, we identify and survey the well locations of any existing wells on-site or nearby. Proper spacing between wells, septic fields, and property features is essential when determining where a new well can be drilled.
All of these items must be accurately identified and verified during the Land Surveying Phase before moving into Schematic Design and, eventually, the Site Plan phase. This groundwork helps ensure that our engineering solutions are buildable, code‑compliant, and free of avoidable conflicts later in the process.
Civil Engineering Plans: Designs You Can Live With
With today’s construction costs, you need plans that deliver comfort, accessibility, and long‑term usability—not just permit approval. Every element of your project is ultimately built from the approved site and building plans, which means the money you spend on construction should be supported by thoughtful, accurate, and buildable design.
High‑quality civil engineering ensures that the materials you invest in are installed correctly, function properly, and contribute to the long‑term enjoyment and performance of your property. Rather than viewing civil engineering as a permit requirement, we approach it as a design discipline that shapes how you will live on your land for decades.
Design for Daily Experience
We consider the practical details that affect your everyday life:
- Driveway slopes that drain correctly but don’t feel steep
- Step counts and grades that make carrying groceries easy
- Home siting that maximizes views and site functionality
Poor design choices become daily frustrations—doors slamming from steep driveways, too many steps, awkward grades. Our approach ensures your property feels designed, not just permitted.
- Example: A Loudoun County site designed by DeMarr Engineering blended proposed grading so seamlessly with the existing contours that the cut/fill transitions were virtually invisible. The driveway used a 3% cross‑slope (optimal drainage, barely noticeable) and a near‑flat longitudinal grade, creating a smooth driving experience.
Constructability & Cost Optimization
With DeMarr Engineering’s parent company DeMarr Construction, who are specialists in residential site development, we design with construction in mind. That means:
- Clear, correct, easy‑to‑build plan sets
- Fewer RFIs and change orders
- Cost‑effective, realistic solutions for construction
Cheaper plan sets may appear to save money upfront, but poor design often translates to higher installation costs and delays. Contractors build what’s on paper; plans that aren’t designed properly can lead to construction budget over‑runs and rework.
Planning for Approval: Review Cycles
Even the best plans require county review. We typically aim for approval in 2–3 submissions. More complex sites or lower‑quality plan sets may take 4–5. High‑quality plans generally move faster because they resolve issues earlier and are easier to review; critical for challenging or highly scrutinized projects.
Permitting & Entitlements: Expert Guidance, Real Value
We manage Land Disturbance/Grading Permit expediting as part of the site plan approval process; so you can focus on the Building Permit with your builder or architect.
- Once approved, our site plans are typically valid for five years in Arlington County and Fairfax County.
- Permits aren’t just about disturbing land; they entitle the land use shown on the plan for what you want the property to be used for. That increases property value immediately, whether you decide to sell or proceed to construction.
In short, quality Land Surveying and Civil Engineering are not soft cost expenses; they’re an investment in your property’s equity and success.
Construction Layout & Quality Control: Building It Right
After approvals, precision layout and verification protect the design intent and your schedule.
Pre‑Construction & LOD Stakeout
In preparation for the Pre‑Con meeting with the site inspector, we stake the Limits of Disturbance (LOD) in advance. Continuous white ribbon and wood lathe stakes in the field make it easy for the inspector, contractor, and owner to walk the site and set up erosion controls.
House Stakeout & Cutsheet for Excavation
For foundations, we set offset nails with precise elevations and locations to guide excavation and footer placement. We also stake culverts, driveways, and stormwater facilities where exact locations and elevations matter.
Brickpoints Stakeout (Don’t Skip This)
Brickpoints mark the corners of foundation wall forms or final brick faces. We typically set masonry nails with bright paint or flagging so the concrete contractor can pull stringlines and place forms accurately.
Skipping Brickpoints to save money is risky; especially in Arlington or Fairfax County where margins are tight and an inch off can have costly consequences. House stakeout surveys should only be referenced for excavation and footer placement. Brickpoints Stakeout Surveying is critical for foundation placement.
Wall Check Survey
Once the foundation walls are in, we perform a Wall Check Survey:
- Confirm the foundation location against design
- Verify top‑of‑wall and footer elevations vs. plan elevations
Arlington County requires a wall check plat before framing approval; Fairfax and Arlington may not always require submission, but lenders often do before releasing funds. If Brickpoints were done, wall checks should confirm expected results. If not, wall checks may uncover issues, which will be much costlier and time consuming to fix after walls are placed.
Our Wall Check Surveys performed by DeMarr Engineering measure the location of foundation construction as-built (in red X’s below) compared to the design location in black lines. We also measure the top of wall and footer elevations for conformance with the designed basement and first floor elevations.
Once the Wall Check Survey is complete, the house will go vertical with framing until it is time for the final height and location certification.
The value of these construction layout and as-built surveys provide, far exceed the incremental cost of these services.
Quality Control & As‑Built Surveys
During construction, we provide QC surveys to verify earthwork grading conforms to plans and to document as‑built conditions.
Final Location & Height Certification
Near completion, we prepare the final house location survey for your occupancy permit to demonstrate zoning compliance for setbacks and building height; closing the loop from design through construction.
Why Choose DeMarr Engineering?
DeMarr Engineering is your one‑stop shop for Land Surveying and Civil Engineering services for land development projects throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Our goal is to deliver high‑quality professional services that result in a smooth, well‑executed project from start to finish.
Choosing a lower‑cost firm may save money at the beginning, but those initial savings often lead to higher construction costs, delays, and avoidable headaches by the end of the project. Although our services may seem intangible beyond the final plan deliverables, the impact of high‑quality surveying and engineering is direct, measurable, and essential to project success.
Our work is not an expense; It’s an investment in your project’s performance, value, and long‑term equity.
For your next land development project in Northern Virginia or Washington, DC, contact DeMarr Engineering to learn how we can help bring your vision from concept to construction—with confidence and precision.
