Schedule an Elevation Survey

E-mail Lawrence Johmann at larry@alaco.us or call/text at: 510-200-8414    Provide the address of the property requiring a survey. 

Preparing for a Survey

Before proceeding with a flood hazard elevation survey, there are few things you ought to know to be better prepared.  

In all cases, it will be necessary to survey entirely around the property and building structure(s).  Therefore, unrestricted exterior access is required. Clearing obstacles and vegetation overgrowth is helpful, and the cleanup of pet waste is appreciated. 

Pets must be secured indoors or in an outdoor pen so that they do not escape the yard or interfere with the surveyor or survey equipment.

If the property or structure qualifies for removal from the special flood hazard area, a LOMA request can be submitted to FEMA and there will be no need to complete an elevation certificate or enter the structure. However, if this is not the case and an elevation certificate is required or otherwise desired, then entering the structure may be necessary to measure floor and equipment elevations. Please be sure that all residents are aware of this.

If the structure to be insured has a crawlspace, access to it will be necessary for completing an elevation certificate—this might be through an interior floor opening or through an exterior foundation wall opening. Wherever it may be, please determine its location in advance and be sure that the access way is clear.

If the structure to be insured has a crawlspace or an attached garage and you are seeking the lowest possible insurance rate through the NFIP, it is important to ensure that all vents/flood openings within 12-inches of the ground are visible, measurable, and entirely unobstructed.

An elevation certificate prepared for insurance purposes requires the inclusion of images of both the front and rear of the structure that is to be insured. You may want to tidy up the adjacent space and move anything away that you do not want included in a picture that will be part of federal records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974.

Finally, if you have tenants living at the property, be sure they are aware of the scheduled visit and all of the pertinent information above.