Many times a client will have an idea that they would like to pursue
but do not want to endure large expenses without first doing some
investigations to see if the idea has hidden problems. 4D will meet
with the clients to gain an understanding of what the proposed project
is. We can then identify what problems or advantages there are from
a civil/survey standpoint. This is done mostly from the office. Information
is collected on topography, utility availability, geometry of the
site, roadway accessibility, zoning, water supply watershed, and environmental
impacts. A site visit is sometimes conducted to verify the information
collected. All of the information is then put together in a package
and presented to the client. This due diligence report is suggested
for all projects. It can save the client a lot of time and money if
it uncovers a problem that needs to be addressed prior to buying the
land or borrowing money for a project. If the report supports the
project and does not present any concerns, it can be a valuable asset
when it becomes time to acquire a loan on the project. 4D has consultants
that can be utilized to make the reports more in depth and increase
confidence in the project. Soil scientist can be hired to analyze
soil types that exist on the site; this gives us information on how
the project may be suited for septic tanks or if the roadways or parking
lots can be constructed from material on site. 4D can also coordinate
environmental firms to conduct wetland investigations/delineations
to let the client know what portions of the project may be “non
buildable”. Phase I or Phase II environmental studies can be
conducted to insure that the history of activity of a site will not
cause problems when the project is designed, permitted and constructed.
Large tracts of land to be sub-divided require special skills to assure
the design of the subdivision meets not only owner’s plans,
but also local ordinances and state laws. Planning is also crucial
to smaller site where you are constrained with building setbacks,
buffers and site improvements required by zoning ordinances. With
the increasing costs of raw land, the planning element of a project
is a major factor in the success of that project. Many profits have
been lost due to lack of planning. Planning is typically a term that
is used to define what is done at the onset of a project. At 4D, we
believe that “planning” is an essential part of the entire
design and construction process. The planning of a project should
begin with a due diligence report and the planning efforts should
persist through the construction and to the final delivery of the
product. Through these planning efforts the client will enjoy efficient
design, and construction, this produces increased profits and shorter
project timelines.
4D is a full service civil and survey firm. We have the equipment,
skills, licensure and knowledge to take an idea and produce construction
documents that will facilitate that idea becoming a reality. 4D
has experience in designing a wide range of projects including but
not limited to single family subdivisions, multi-family developments,
mixed use developments and commercial sites.
The grading design of a site is a very important portion of the project.
Proper grading design will eliminate stormwater issues both during
construction and throughout the life of the constructed improvements.
4D will always attempt to “balance” a site such that import
or export material is not needed. Costs of import and export soils
have made this element of the design a must. Erosion control is also
crucial to the success of a project. Many projects have been in the
middle of construction and been heavily fined or ordered to stop work,
sometimes both due to erosion control issues that were not properly
addressed on the site. There are firms that will over design the erosion
control on a site. Although it expedites receiving an approved plan,
it will cost the developer heavily and contractors are reluctant to
build an over design. When the approved measures are not built, notices
of violation and fines are the result. At 4D, we have a solid understanding
of what it will take to protect a site properly without excess cost
to the developer. We also have a strong relationship with the regulatory
agencies that are involved with erosion control.
With the forthcoming requirements of the Phase II Storm Water Rules,
storm water design has risen to the top of local and state municipalities’
checklist. Storm water is becoming a problem for most cities, towns
and neighborhoods. For many years, storm water was simply conveyed
across the property and released with little thought to the downstream
property owner. The result is damage not only to the downstream property
but to the ecosystem. Phase II Storm Water Rules will result in more
land being used to control the added storm water generated from the
new development. We make every effort at 4D to minimize the storm
water infrastructure impacts by innovative designs.
4D provides design for both potable water and sanitary sewer extensions
to serve the project sites. It could be as simple as a service connection
or as complicated as pressure booster pumps for water systems and
lift stations with force mains for the sanitary sewer. It is difficult
and time consuming to check different possibilities for utility layouts
but the project will benefit from the search. It is our philosophy
that it our job to find the layout that is the most efficient. Many
firms have the philosophy that if each building has water and sewer
their task has been achieved. We feel that our responsibilities run
deeper; it is not only our task to serve the project but to do it
in the most efficient and least expensive way possible.
Projects that endure over a long period in an ever changing world
are backed by strategies that can weather and adapt over time. Many
of our clients use the knowledge base that has been collected here
at 4D to get insight into civil and survey aspects of their projects.
The licensed professionals here can also serve as an expert witness
if the situation requires.
These surveys are a form of construction layout, but the work is a
different breed of construction layout. The staff at 4D Site Solutions
Inc has been involved with roadway layout for the NC DOT for six years
and is well versed in the specific requirements for this type of layout.
New designs are more complex than ever, and it is very important that
the improvements be placed exactly where they have been designed. 4D
Site Solutions, Inc has the experience and technology to provide this
service at a competitive cost to contractors or developers in need of
this service. Through the science of surveying we are able to show the
contractor, usually via stakes or other marks on the ground, how to
build the specific portion of the project for each phase. We layout
the construction plans on the ground in a real world scale horizontally
and vertically. 4D Site Solutions' staff can help minimize costly mistakes
and delays by having the data for staking ready prior to the request
for layout. Early preparation can also help bring light to situations,
which may need to be revised due to possible conflicts in the design
documents.
Boundary surveys have been a staple of the surveying industry for thousands
of years, and this will be a service that 4D Site Solutions, Inc will
continue to offer. The determining of property lines is as important
today as it was at the turn of the century, with the cost of real estate
skyrocketing perhaps this service is more important now than ever. 4D
Site Solutions, Inc offers landowners a cost effective solution to their
boundary surveying needs.
Global Positioning Systems have changed the survey world radically.
When applicable, GPS can decrease the cost of collecting data, while
increasing productivity and minimizing timelines for projects. The staff
of 4D Site Solutions, Inc is well trained in the use of GPS for many
types of surveys. These surveys include: control surveys, topography,
GIS data collection, construction staking, ALTA/ACSM, Roadway layout,
and volumetric surveys.
The Staff of 4D Site Solutions, Inc has set control for many different
types of projects utilizing Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Control
Systems established include Countywide Geodetic Control Monuments for
the North Carolina Geodetic Survey Division, Photogrammetric control
panels for various aerial photography firms, and Local Control networks
for large and small-scale project sites.
Topographic surveys are surveys, which depict land and manmade features
for the project site. These features include but are not limited to:
contour elevations, storm systems, sewer systems, buildings, paved areas,
and other visible utilities and features.
These surveys involve the comparison of two individual topographic surveys.
A topographic survey is done prior to construction or excavation work.
A second is conducted when the construction or excavation is complete.
The two surveys are compared to determine the amount of material removed,
imported or moved.
CAD drawings are one of many tools use by 4D Site Solutions. Inc to
offers our clients the most precise and accurate drawings with the use
of today's technology. CAD has played a major role in the continuing
development of our company's standards and procedures. It allows 4D
Site Solutions. Inc to be more efficient in how we plan and execute
our day-to-day tasks. We are able to compute and check our calculations
in a much more time effective manner.
ALTA surveys are a hybrid between a boundary and topographic survey.
ALTA requirements are a set of rigorous specifications that a survey
is to meet. There are certain requirements for the party that is ordering
the survey, requirements that the surveyor must meet with his field
equipment and practices, and other specifications that must be met in
the mapping phase of the project. These surveys are usually required
for business transactions that involve large sums of money. The specifications
were developed to standardize the requirements for these high profile
land surveys. The staff of 4D Site Solutions, Inc has the experience
and ability to perform these surveys quickly and efficiently.
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