GEOMARTINS & ASSOCIATE

What Does a Flood Level Survey Involve? Flood Level Survey is carried out to determine areas that are prone to flooding. This survey is required to ensure that all new buildings adhere to proper flood and elevation requirements. Flood levels are typically measured to the Mean Sea Level, a measurement that is used to decide the lowest finished floor level that any new residential or commercial property must be built to. Before buying property it is wise to check for flood risk. Unless your property is obviously in a high position, it can be difficult for the inexperienced to determine whether or not the property is flood prone. Surveyors are experts. We can investigate records and enquire from authorities as to the flood risk for a particular property. Observations can be made on the ground to determine the specific extent of the risk. Advice can be obtained on precautions required for new building or the likely depth of flooding which can be expected on existing buildi...

A well-organized demolition process can make all the difference when building new houses or structures. A safe and carefully planned demolition will ensure there are no hidden costs or unnecessary delays to your project. Here are our top four tips to help make the demolition process easy and efficient. 1. Hire a reputable demolition contractor Hire a professional demolition contractor to streamline the entire process for you. When you’re looking at different companies or businesses, ask them how they coordinate the whole process, including any approvals from local government, disconnecting any services or utilities and disposal of any waste material. Be sure to understand any exclusion in the service, such as approval forms, service disconnection or liaising with council or Government authorities, as you may need to be prepared to take on these duties yourself. 2. Ensure safety procedures are adhered to Ensure the contractor is aware of and compliant...

Dual occupancy developments occur when two dwellings are built on a single lot. In the case of a residential zoning, dual occupancy is defined as a purely residential state, an event where, as one common example illustrates, a second home could be built within the lot boundary. Imagine building a 'granny flat' or even a second home in the back yard to be close to an ailing family member. This is only one of several possible configurations the dual occupancy arrangement could take, but to lawfully define the space, the property has to be subdivided. The duty of the professional survey expert in this scenario is to assess the lot for dual occupancy development opportunities. This means navigating the shores of council regulations and safely tackling the countless challenges that could hobble the project. Neighbours could object to some aspect of the new building being constructed on the residential lot. The town council may also throw up roadblocks, red tape that ties constru...