Happy Global Surveyors Day!

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CELEBRATING OUR WORK IN SURVEYING

Did you know?  The path to Global Surveyors’ Day began in ancient Egypt when society first used surveying techniques to divide land. In 2013, the signing of the Budapest declaration created a common worldwide celebration for those leaders, past and present. 

Here’s how GHH’s team was inspired to enter the surveying field and what keeps them at it:

CALVIN WEINGART, P.L.S. – Surveyor (top row center)
How did you enter the career field?
I was looking for a new job and surveying looked like a job that might keep me outdoors so I sent a resume to Godfrey Hoffman Associates – that was more than 25 years ago!

What keeps you in the profession?
The variety of tasks involved, the mix of physical and mental work and the random things you see while out and about in the field.

What’s the worst and best part of surveying?
The worst is cold, wet feet, dead batteries, bad data, and forgetting to bring my lunchbox to the field. The best parts are the changing seasons, unlocking the secrets of the land and working alongside dedicated people.

ZACH WEINGART  – Surveyor (top row right)
How did you enter the career field?
My dad took me to work as a kid and I started working in the summer during high school.

What keeps you in the profession?
I enjoy the day-to-day variety of work and being able to work independently.

What’s the worst and best part of surveying?
The worst is nosey neighbors and prickers. The best is being outdoors, encountering a variety of environments and people.

ADAM HOFFMAN, P.L.S. – Principal/Director of Surveying (bottom row left)
How did you enter the career field?
I was working at a gas station.  My uncle who owned GHH at the time had an employee who got hurt. He hired me to “shlep” the equipment for the field crew that was led by a guy by the name of Red. My uncle then pushed me to study the field in college – the rest is history!

What keeps you in the profession?
Initially I really loved the outdoors.  As I grew and matured I came to enjoy and appreciate the historical aspect of what we do and figuring out the puzzles of a boundary.  These days it’s more how run to run a successful business and deliver for our clients in a constantly changing world.

What’s the worst and best part of surveying?
The worst are ticks, traffic, leaves, and the frozen ground of winter. The best is working with people who love it almost as much as I do and delivering accurate information to satisfied clients.

CASSIDY FOX – Surveyor (bottom row center)
How did you enter the career field?
I was undecided in college and worked for my dad who is a surveyor for a few summers. I ended up really enjoying the math, problem solving and outdoors.

What keeps you in the profession?
Finding solutions to problems is very rewarding. I’ve always been interested in math and geometry. I love to keep my brain strong that way.

What’s the worst and best part of surveying?
The worst is the extreme heat and extreme cold. And bugs.  The best is that for me it’s fun, that there are new jobs all the time and the fact that we work both inside and outdoors – it always feels fresh – never stale!

TEDDY & ROMY- Office & Field Dogs (top row left / bottom row right)
How did you enter the career field?
We were both adopted by surveyors so we’ve been dogs both in the field and in the office since we can remember.

What keeps you in the profession?
Besides our owners? Treats, belly rubs, great walks on surveying sites, a cozy place to nap and being around the best people in the world.

What’s the worst and best part of surveying?
Being ignored is always the worst – The best would have to be unlimited treats in the office, chasing the ball up and down the hallways, being spoiled by Maria and Cassidy, and being there for my people when they need company in the field.

Top Ten Reasons To Work With GHH…

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Why work with us?

Here’s 10 reasons why GHH is above and beyond the rest:

(🥁 Drum Roll Please 🥁)

 #10 – Efficient and Accurate Surveys:
Understanding the value of your time, we ensure our surveys are conducted efficiently without compromising accuracy. Our state-of-the-art technology and experienced surveyors work diligently to provide precise results promptly.

#9 – Clear and Undisputed Property Boundaries:
We specialize in delivering clear and detailed boundary surveys. Our meticulous approach ensures that the boundaries of your property are established with undisputed accuracy, providing you with peace of mind and legal clarity.

#8 – Comprehensive Initial Surveys with All Details:
Our initial surveys are thorough, aiming to capture all necessary details to prevent the need for additional work mid-project. This comprehensive approach saves you time and resources in the long run.

#7 – Accurate Representation of Constructed Projects:
For those involved in construction, we offer as-built surveys that accurately reflect the completed project. This ensures that your construction aligns with planned designs and meets all regulatory requirements.

#6 – Cost Effective Surveying Services:
We understand the importance of budgeting. We offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality, ensuring you receive the best value for our services.

#5 – Reliable Surveys for Confident Development:
Our surveys provide the reliable data needed for your development projects. With our detailed reports, you can proceed with your projects confidently, knowing that you have accurate and comprehensive information.

#4 – Surveys Simplifying Real Estate Transactions:
We streamline the real estate transaction process with our surveys. Whether you are buying, selling, or developing, our accurate surveys provide the essential information needed for smooth transactions.

#3 – Access to a Range of Survey Types:
Our services cover various types of surveys, including topographic, boundary, and special purpose surveys like floodplain analysis, ensuring that all aspects of your land are thoroughly assessed.

#2 – Updated and Precise Records:
We use the latest methods to ensure that our survey records are up-to-date and precise, reflecting the current state of your property accurately.

#1 – !!!YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY!!!:
All of us at GHH are committed to providing services that not only meet but exceed your expectations. We invite you to give us a call and thank you in advance for choosing us as your trusted partner in land surveying!

GHH Helps 7-Brew Establish First Location in CT

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Founded in Arkansas in 2017, this ever-expanding drive thru coffee shop plans to open its doors to Connecticut customers this fall. GHH’s local knowledge and expertise helped the permitting process run smoothly.

 GHH was involved on the following aspects of this project:

  • Survey of existing conditions
  • Site Plan / Demolition Plan / Permitting
  • Construction to demolish the existing building
  • Stakeout of the site for new building

GHH’s Director of Engineering, Marcus Puttock, P.E. & P.L.S played a pivotal role in representing the client’s interests for this project. He presented to the Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission to gain approval of a special permit for the building which only serves as drive-thru and provides no interior or exterior seating for customers. The construction is modular and has been assembled on a newly laid foundation.

Cars will queue up in two lanes and customer will have orders taken by “runners” with electronic tablets. Drinks will then be delivered by other staff at the end of the line.  Construction of building began in July and the  plan is to open in mid-September 2024. An additional site in Vernon, CT also just received approval – GHH is providing similar services for that location.

For a recent article covering this story link here to the Hartford Business Journal.

Stay tuned!

GHH Celebrates 100 Years of Quality & Accuracy!

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Building on Trust, Delivering Results:
Godfrey Hoffman Hodge Celebrates 100 Years!

We’re pleased to share the news of this milestone and look forward to continuing to do what we’ve been doing for a century: providing our clients with fast, accurate and quality services. Here’s a brief history of how we got here:

1924: The story begins when two young engineers, recent Yale graduate Lewis Stein and Constantine “Gus” Giordano meet while working for the City of New Haven Engineering Department. Together, they set out on their own and forge a partnership in New Haven, laying the foundation for a legacy in land surveying.

Bernard Godfrey enters the scene. While still in high school, he learns the ropes under Stein & Giordano’s guidance, igniting a lifelong passion for the field. His journey takes him through forestry, entrepreneurship, and back to surveying, eventually marrying Stein’s niece and taking over the firm in 1960.

Enter the next generation: Adam Hoffman, Godfrey’s nephew, joins the firm in 1977, inheriting the family’s dedication to precision and service. He expands his expertise with a forestry degree and land surveying minor, rising through the ranks before becoming a partner in 1988. The firm rebrands as Godfrey-Hoffman Associates.

The 2000s usher in expansion. Godfrey retires in 2000, and Hoffman restructures, solidifying the company’s future as a Limited Liability Company. The firm ventures into engineering with the addition of Victor Benni in 2001, further diversifying its offerings.

2010 marks a pivotal moment. Hoffman acquires Hodge Surveying, a Farmington Valley mainstay since 1925. This strategic move broadens the company’s reach and expertise.

Finally, in 2019, the two entities merge to become Godfrey Hoffman Hodge, LLC. This marks a culmination of nearly a century of dedication, bringing together 100 years of combined experience in land surveying and engineering.

Today, Godfrey Hoffman Hodge stands as a full-service powerhouse. We tackle projects across Connecticut, serving public, private, commercial, residential, and industrial clients. Our commitment to quality, accuracy, and cutting-edge technology ensures every project receives the attention it deserves.

Why GHH? Ask Surveyor Calvin Weingart…

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Meet Surveyor Calvin Weingart, P.L.S.

A Q & A with a 25 year veteran surveyor, Calvin finds passion and inspiration in his work and brings that to GHH’s clients on every project. 

How long have you worked at GHH?
I have worked here since June 15, 1998, so a little over 25 years.

What do you do and why do you do it?
I am a Professional Licensed Land Surveyor.  I do it because it is a good mix of outdoor physical activity and indoor intellectual activity.   I’ve been the Survey Manager at Godfrey Hoffman Hodge since 2015. I enjoy every aspect of the position from initial client contact to mission planning and execution to training and mentoring of survey technicians.

Why should someone seeking a survey contact GHH over your competitors?
I manage each job as I would want it managed if I was the client: consistent communication, performance to utmost ability, professionalism, patience. My goal is to minimize the chance the client will ask for an update.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I get in the office a little before 8 most days and review the plan of the day for our department.  I start mission briefs promptly at 8:00 and get the crew(s) ready to head out to the field.  If I am part of the field crew I gather files, gear and people and try to be out by 8:20 or so.  Between travel time and company hours there is only about 5 hours of onsite time so every minute counts in the morning.

If I am working in the office, I get the crew(s) launched out the door and start working on whatever task I have for myself that day.  This can range from survey computations, autocad drafting, land records research and quality review of completed surveys.  I have a dual mission in the form of staff and client support, so I am often switching from one function to another.

By about 2:30 or so I start thinking about the next day’s tasking to try and stay ahead of everyone so there is minimal down time and maximum efficiency.  By 3:30 the crew is usually back in, if they aren’t in already. They download the day’s data files and process all the info.  We attend to a few administrative chores such as time keeping and we wrap up at 4:30 with, hopefully, the next day planned out and all gear and files set to go.

What has changed during your career?
Technological advances in data collection, the availability of very accurate open-source data and municipal GIS.  All for the better or worse depending on your point of view.

What hasn’t changed?
The need for a professional surveyor’s expertise to verify measurements, the need to apply the rules of evidence and interpret boundary law and chopping line through dense brush on very hot days.

What’s the most interesting property you ever surveyed?
I  can’t name the exact property but I did get a chance to work in a very interesting location in the very heart of New Haven . Lets just say that we worked in spaces where some globally powerful people once socially  gathered in private.

What’s the hardest property you ever surveyed?
That is a subjective question! Some small parcels are very challenging with respect to forming a boundary opinion so the hard part is intellectual. On the other hand, some large parcels are physically demanding, such the 100 plus acres we surveyed in North Stonington.  I had two back to back days of walking 8 plus miles during one phase of the job. And there was the job this summer where we located and identified 612 trees.

What keeps you going back?
My job checks all the boxes for me: Physical work, intellectual work, technical expertise, mission planning, leadership, doing something that is a little offbeat that most people know a little about but not too much.  And finally, I am truly fortunate that I found a career in which you can start at the very bottom and work your way up to professional licensing through (I know this sounds quaint) hard work and dedication.

How Land Surveyors Set The Stage For A New Building

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This Is How We Do It…

This sequential photo montage highlights all the phases involved in preparing a site for the construction of a new building.

  1.  The undeveloped, overgrown site in Hamden, CT at commencement of survey work.
  2.  Site conditions during field work with survey gear.  As we often do, our crew contends with towering, tangling vegetation.
  3.  A year later, after site design and the permitting process, the finished plan set is delivered to the town permitting agency.
  4.  The site is cleared and prepared for construction.
  5.  The crew and survey instrument are in position to locate and mark 384 points for Helical Pile installation.  (These piles, or piers, are used to stabilize soil to support the building foundation).
  6.  The pier stakeout is complete and the site is ready for the pile driving crew to commence work. Each location is identified by the  pink whisker flag and orange numerical identifier.

Once the piers are installed the foundation will be marked out for construction.

Stay tuned for updates as we follow this project to completion!

GHH Celebrates Calvin Weingart’s 25th Year!

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Congratulations to Calvin Weingart, P.L.S.

At Godrey Hoffman Hodge, we believe in recognizing and celebrating our employees’ milestones and achievements. Recently, we had the pleasure of honoring Calvin’s 25th year of outstanding service within our organization. This remarkable milestone not only signifies his unwavering dedication but also showcases the opportunities for growth and success at GHH.

Calvin’s impressive tenure at Godfrey Hoffman Hodge began 25 years ago when he was hired by none other than our esteemed founder, Bernard E. Godfrey. Recognizing Calvin’s strong work ethic and his experience growing up on a farm, he showed early on the tenacity and resilience required to excel in our industry. Today, he is a licensed land surveyor and Survey Manager, contributing to our success.

To celebrate, we organized a memorable get together at the 12% Brewery (a valued client of GHH), featuring delectable cuisine from Mikro. The event showcased our strong client relationships and sense of community. Calvin’s journey inspires us, emphasizing perseverance, growth, and excellence. As we honor this occasion, we anticipate a bright future and remarkable opportunities for our employees and organization. Together, we will create more memorable milestones in the future.

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Side note: When asked for some words of wisdom on the occasion, Calvin (pictured third from right) had this to say: “I am grateful for all the opportunities presented to me and for the encouragement to pursue them. Beyond that, I am just happy to work here and drink some beers on the boss. “

Building a Solid Foundation, One Form at a Time

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Foundation Rising.

Building a solid foundation is a critical part of any construction project, and it requires careful planning and execution every step of the way. At GHH, we understand the importance of getting every detail right, from the initial site survey to the final construction stakeout. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a project that is now seeing the foundation rising, one form at a time. 

This project started with a site survey, which allowed us to gather important information about the site’s topography, existing structures, and potential obstacles. Based on the results of the survey, we were able to develop a site plan that met the client’s needs while also complying with all applicable regulations and zoning requirements. We then worked with the client to obtain the necessary permits, ensuring that the project could move forward. 

Now, with the foundation rising, we’re seeing the culmination of all that hard work. The concrete forms are being carefully placed and secured, ensuring that the foundation wall will be strong and stable for years to come. As the foundation takes shape, we’re reminded of the importance of attention to detail and precision in every aspect of the construction process. 

At GHH, we take pride in our ability to deliver high-quality surveying and civil engineering services that help our clients achieve their goals. Whether we’re surveying a site, developing a site plan, or providing construction stakeout services, we bring the same level of professionalism and expertise to every project. As we continue to work on this project and watch the foundation rise, we’re excited to see the results of our hard work and dedication taking shape.

Tools From The Field

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Accuracy Matters.

We incorporate the latest tools and technology in pursuit of capturing robust surveying data in the most efficient manner – all for the benefit or our clients.

Here, Calvin Weingart enters flight data and commences a drone flight. Utilizing this tool gives the ability to augment data collection on sites. In this case we are doing so in Wallingford and East Haven, CT.

Once the flight is complete, team member Ben Weingart monitors the collection of GPS data on a ground control point. This data allows the team to precisely relate ground positions to target locations captured by the drone. Once the field work is done, Ben works in the office to perform the corrections and commence processing.

Accuracy Matters – we have the tools and know-how to help with all your surveying needs.