FAQ
Find information about our land surveying and civil engineering services. If you don’t see your question here, please contact our office and we’ll be happy to help.
General Questions
How do I request surveying or engineering services?
Clients are encouraged to start by submitting our online quote request form, which helps us gather the project details needed to review the request efficiently. For general questions or other inquiries, clients may still contact our office by phone or email.
What areas do you serve?
Feenstra & Associates proudly serves clients throughout Michigan, with a primary focus on West Michigan. Please contact our office to discuss your project location and service needs.
I’m not sure what service I need. What should I do?
Clients should begin by reviewing the Services section of our website, which provides clear overviews of the surveying and civil engineering services we offer, along with common situations where each service may be needed. If you are still unsure, our staff can help review your situation and guide you toward the services that best fit your project needs.
Land Surveying
Why would I need a survey?
A survey may be needed before purchasing property, installing a fence, building an addition, dividing land, resolving a property line question, obtaining title insurance, planning construction, or completing other property improvements. Surveys help provide accurate information about a property before important decisions are made.
Who should survey my land?
You should consult a licensed land surveyor for all property, elevation, or construction needs. Licensed land surveyors qualifications are established by Michigan General Statutes and all qualified land surveyors possess evidence of their current license to practice surveying.
How long does a survey take to complete?
The timeline for a survey can vary depending on the type of survey, property size, terrain, weather conditions, existing records, and current scheduling demands. Some projects can be completed relatively quickly, while others may require additional research, field work, or coordination before final documents can be prepared.
Do I need to be present during the survey?
In most cases, property owners do not need to be present while field work is being completed. However, it is helpful to provide any available information about the property ahead of time, including previous surveys, title work, or known property corner locations.
What information should I provide when requesting a survey?
Helpful information may include the title work, legal description, previous surveys, construction plans, disputes, or details about the work being planned on the property.
Can you just survey one property line?
Yes. In many cases, property owners only need one or two property lines located and marked rather than a full boundary survey. Even when surveying a single line, our surveyors must still perform the necessary research, field work, measurements, and calculations required to accurately verify the property boundaries. In many situations, surrounding property corners and existing records must also be reviewed to properly establish the requested line location. Because of this, the time and effort involved may still be similar to a larger survey depending on the property and available evidence.
How much does a survey cost?
Survey costs can vary depending on the type of survey, property size, terrain, available records, complexity of the project, and amount of field work required. Factors that tend to increase survey costs are disputed property lines, rough terrain, missing property/or section corners, heavy woods and underbrush, poor property descriptions, and travel time. Please contact our office for a quote specific to your project.
Civil Engineering
What civil engineering services does Feenstra & Associates provide?
Feenstra & Associates provides civil engineering services for residential, commercial, industrial, and environmental projects. Our work may include site design, grading plans, utility layout, stormwater management, septic and drainfield design, permitting support, and construction related planning.
When do I need a civil engineer?
You may need a civil engineer when your project involves land development, site improvements, drainage, utilities, roads, parking areas, stormwater management, or permitting requirements. Civil engineering is often needed before construction can begin, especially when a project must be reviewed or approved by a township, city, county, or state agency.
What information should I provide when requesting a civil engineering quote?
When requesting a quote, it is helpful to provide the project address, property information, a brief description of the proposed work, any site plans or sketches you already have, and any deadlines or review requirements. The more information you provide upfront, the easier it is for our team to understand the scope of the project and provide accurate next steps.
Can Feenstra & Associates help with site plans?
Yes. Feenstra & Associates can assist with site plans for residential, commercial, industrial, and other development projects. Site plans may include proposed buildings, parking areas, driveways, grading, utilities, drainage, stormwater features, and other improvements required for review and approval.
Can you help with stormwater or drainage issues?
Yes. Our civil engineering services may include stormwater management, drainage design, grading review, and related site improvements. These services help manage runoff, reduce drainage problems, and meet local review or permitting requirements.
How long does the civil engineering process take?
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the project, the amount of information available, and the requirements of the reviewing agency. Smaller projects may move more quickly, while larger developments or projects requiring multiple approvals can take longer. After reviewing your project details, our team can provide a better idea of the expected timeline.
How do I get started with a civil engineering project?
The best way to get started is by submitting a quote request through our website. Please include the project location, a description of the proposed work, any available plans or documents, and your preferred timeline. Our team will review the information and follow up with the next steps.