GHH Celebrates 100 Years of Quality & Accuracy!

Posted by Adam Hoffman on

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.

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!

Posted by Adam Hoffman on

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.

Tales From The Front Desk

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How GHH Helps When You Call…

A short interview with GHH Office Manager Maria Latella lets you know how we can help you with your needs and goals. A GHH inquiry intake story:

What does a typical request look like?

Depends on the caller’s specific survey or engineering needs but most of the calls are for services related to residential property, commercial property, elevation certificates, additions, subdivisions or construction layout.

What kind of information do you need or are listening for during these conversations?

It starts with contact information, who a proposal should be sent to (it does vary depending on the situation), who will be responsible for financials, and finally, what is the purpose of the survey or engineering services.

What happens after gathering the basic information?   Does the conversation end or continue?

It might end with a brief description of what the client can expect for next steps or it might continue depending on input from the client.  For example, if a client is unsure of what specific type of survey is needed we can ask some questions about what they are trying to accomplish.  If they want to see where their boundaries are marked on the ground that is one type of survey.  If they are planning on improvements to the site, that is another kind of survey.  In addition to helping determine the type of survey needed, it’s a good chance to describe the value of each.

Is it difficult to get to that point in the conversation?  Do you listen for key words or specific scenarios the potential client is referring to?

We listen for key words such as “flood insurance” or “I live on the shore” which most likely relates to completing a flood certificate.  Or, phrases such as “ I want to do an addition” and“ We have land we want to subdivide” can help drive what type of service is needed and how we can help.   Most clients are not aware of the various types of surveys so we try to lead the conversation to narrow down the list in order to provide the most appropriate proposal we can from the start.

How do you leave off with a client?

I will always explain next steps, specify who will accomplish them (e.g. , a Licensed Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer) and when to expect communication.

What is your overall goal when speaking with a potential client?

The goal is to convey a sense of confidence, that we are patient, that we care about their request and care about their end goal.

What is one thing you want clients to know when they call Godfrey Hoffman Hodge LLC?

There are lots of way we can help with your needs/goals.  The more we communicate, the better, and faster we can help

Tales From The Field: Summer 2022

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Catch Up with the GHH Team

GHH has been busier than ever this summer!

Calvin Weingart shares the behind-the-scenes of laying out test pits to determine soil suitability for septic systems in North Stonington, CT.

Zach Weingart and Jeff Plourde precisely check the positioning and data input of the S6 total station and targets in Branford, CT. A quality construction project begins with a quality survey control network. 

Adam Hoffman drives a steel rod into its respective location to create a permanent reference point for a client. While modern technology and technological advances have been made, manual labor will always be present. 

Stay up to date with the GHH team and connect with us on our social media accounts! 

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Welcome to the new Godfrey Hoffman and Hodge Website!

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We’ve been working hard over these last few months to create the new and improved GHHLLC.com. We’ve merged our two previous websites into one. Our goal was to create a one-stop website for all of your surveying and engineering needs.

Who is Godfrey Hoffman Hodge?

Godfrey Hoffman Hodge LLC is a combination of our two previous firms; Godfrey Hoffman Associates, LLC and Hodge, LLC

Godfrey Hoffman Associates, LLC is a multi-disciplinary firm offering a full range of Land Surveying, Civil Engineering, Planning, Design & Permitting services. Our main office is located in North Haven, Connecticut, and our 3rd generation family business has operated since 1924. Originally serving New Haven County, we now work throughout the state of Connecticut.

Hodge, LLC, an affiliate of Godfrey-Hoffman, was acquired in April of 2010 and has been the trusted name in surveying in the Farmington Valley since 1925.

GHHLLC.COM

Our goal was to revitalize our website and to create a new and improved experience for users looking for land surveyor & civil engineering assistance. GHHLLC.com was designed to help you understand everything there is to know about our company and to provide you with the proper resources you need.

Below is just a small list of things you can do on our website:

Remember always to check back as we’ll continuously be improving our website and providing you with the best engineering & civil engineering news!

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Civil Engineer?

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A Civil Engineer often carries out the design of construction projects such as land development, subsurface sewage disposal systems (septic systems) or house building. Instinctively, since the design is not as tangible as the construction itself, people tend to try to save money on that part in order to keep more for the actual construction. As a rule of thumb, the design part of a project consists of approximately 5-20% of the budget while the actual construction uses the rest of the budget.

Continue reading “How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Civil Engineer?” →

What is the Difference between Civil Engineering and Architecture?

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=In the construction industry, development projects usually require the knowledge and understanding of civil engineering and architecture. These are important disciplines that deal with the process of creating structures, such as buildings, airports, churches and houses.

Both professions have critical functions that are essential in any construction job and they rely on one-another to accomplish a given task. Continue reading “What is the Difference between Civil Engineering and Architecture?” →