Hoffman began his surveying career back in 1978 when he worked for his uncle, Bernard Godfrey. After graduating from Paul Smith’s College, he worked his way from rod-man to transit-man and eventually party-chief. In 1988 when Adam received his Land Surveying license, he and Mr. Godfrey formed Godfrey-Hoffman Associates. After 12 years of a great partnership, Mr. Godfrey retired which left Mr. Hoffman with the entire business.

The Importance of Staking Property Lines

Importance of Staking Property Lines

Real estate properties are considered one of the most valuable assets that a person can possess. Moreover, with the continuous increase in property value, it is important that we make sure that the land we own is protected and accounted for.

With this information at hand, it is often recommended that our property lines are marked. In this way, we can install fences or any other improvements as close as your town regulations will allow to your property lines to maximize the use of our land. The process of marking your property limits is commonly referred to as “staking property lines.”

Staking Property Lines

Staking property lines can be described as a service provided by a professional land surveyor that involves the placement of survey markers at property corners with additional markers along the property lines (set at predefined intervals). This process creates a visible line that defines the limits of your property. Typically, a surveyor will utilize concrete monuments or iron pins/rebar to mark the property lines.

Continue reading “The Importance of Staking Property Lines”

Why Should I Hire a Surveyor for Construction Layout?

Construction LayoutWhile working to complete a project in Connecticut, there are many tools available for a contractor to utilize. One of these “tools” that may often be overlooked is the hiring of a licensed land surveyor’s services. Perhaps one of the most important services that a surveyor provides is construction layout. Proper construction layout is vital to a project’s success.

A surveyor uses their skills and knowledge to interpret the plans provided by the engineer or architect. By doing so, the contractor can rely on the accuracy and reliability of the layout provided. This relationship acts as a crucial step in construction that influences whether a project finishes on time, within the budget, and error-free.

Continue reading “Why Should I Hire a Surveyor for Construction Layout?”

Civil Engineering in Connecticut

Civil EngineeringEverywhere we look, we can see magnificent infrastructures like tall buildings, huge dams, and sturdy bridges. We rely on these structures to supply us with clean water, energy, shelter, and even ways to recycle our waste and lessen pollution. All of these benefits that we receive everyday are created through the expertise of Civil Engineering.

Civil Engineering firms in Connecticut, such as Godfrey-Hoffman & Hodge, devote their time and energy to create these wonderful structures to help us live life as comfortably and conveniently as we can.

Continue reading “Civil Engineering in Connecticut”

What Does an A-2 Survey in Connecticut Really Mean?

A 2 Survey CTMany Connecticut residents become confused when someone tells them that they need an A-2 survey done on their Connecticut property. The vast majority of homeowners do not realize that this type of survey is required when they want to expand their existing structures or do any developmental work on the land that they own.

The confusion begins upon this request of the A-2 survey.The term “A-2” is not a survey type, nor a survey category, but it is actually an accuracy class. There are several classes of accuracy in regards to surveys: Classes AA, A-1, A-2, B, C, and D.

When talking about survey types or categories, Class A-2 is the industry standard for accuracy. If someone is requesting that you need an A-2 survey for your property, what they are actually intending is for you to obtain a “Property Survey,” or an “Improvement Location Survey.”

Having these types of surveys done on your property is important. It will provide you with the necessary information required for protecting your land assets and could save you from expensive lawsuits that may occur from insufficient knowledge of your land boundaries.

Continue reading “What Does an A-2 Survey in Connecticut Really Mean?”

How can we stop our land from being degraded in Connecticut?

Land DegredationIt is estimated that 25% of the world’s land area has been affected by land degradation. It has accelerated enormously during the past decade, causing loss of biodiversity, poverty, and hunger. The impact on the global economy is huge, and it is taking away precious resources that are vital to us. The need to minimize land degradation has never been this critical, and solutions must be made to conserve and restore our land.

Continue reading “How can we stop our land from being degraded in Connecticut?”

Connecticut Zoning Location Surveys: An Introduction

CT Zoning LawsThe majority of town and cities in Connecticut has established zoning laws that designate what can and cannot be done within a specific city and town area.

These laws require developers to meet specific conditions and follow certain regulations before they can be allowed to do construction work on properties that are within the established areas.

One of the main conditions of these areas is the submission of Connecticut zoning location surveys. These surveys are required for any residential construction on lands that belongs to a Connecticut zoning region.

Continue reading “Connecticut Zoning Location Surveys: An Introduction”

What is a Property Survey?

What are Building Location Surveys?Whether you are buying or selling a real estate property, it is always advisable to know all the necessary information related to the property being bought or sold, such as deed restrictions, building locations, easements and pertinent municipal setback requirements.

This information is important because it can identify and determine whether or not the property being sold or bought is worth the value being paid or asked for.

Obtaining the needed information about a property is not that difficult. There are a lot of surveys that can be utilized to acquire this data. However, the best type of survey that you can use for this purpose is called a property survey.

Continue reading “What is a Property Survey?”

How to Prevent a Boundary Encroachment on Your Property

boundary encroachmentEvery real estate owner who doesn’t have sufficient knowledge of his or her property rights is in danger of infringements and boundary encroachments.

Although, these intrusions and disputes on properties are common, a lot of landowners still do not have the right information and tools to identify and defend their property from this situation.

In reality, the majority of these infractions occur because landowners have not performed a professional land survey on their estate and most of the time a boundary encroachment incident is just due to an honest mistake committed by their neighbors.

Continue reading “How to Prevent a Boundary Encroachment on Your Property”