Survey

Meet Our Newest Shareholder: Michael Thomas, PLS

We are excited to spotlight Michael Thomas, PLS, recently named an Associate Shareholder of the firm. Michael’s career path, leadership within the surveying profession, and commitment to teamwork make him a valued member of Sain’s ownership group. Michael’s journey with Sain Associates spans nearly two decades and reflects his deep connection to the firm. He…
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When Do You Need to Hire a Surveyor?

When you’re sick, you go to a doctor. When you have a legal issue, you call a lawyer. A toothache? Time for the dentist. A surveyor is no different—when you need one, you really need one. However, many people don’t know when that moment will come. The most common time you’ll hire a surveyor is…
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A Gateway Built for Safety and Flow

If you’ve driven near the Birmingham Zoo or Botanical Gardens lately, you’ve probably noticed something big taking shape at one of the metro’s busiest gateways. Two roundabouts are transforming the high-volume intersection cluster shared by Birmingham and Mountain Brook, and the story of how we got here goes back over a decade. In 2009, roundabouts…
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Sain Receives ABC Alabama Merit Award

Sain Associates is honored to receive a Merit Award in the Civil Engineering category of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama’s Excellence in Construction Awards for our work on the Jefferson County Medical Examiner and Coroner’s Office project. This recognition highlights our innovative design approach, technical expertise, and commitment to supporting infrastructure in Alabama….
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How Modern Land Surveys Mitigate Title Risk

When title attorneys review property records, they often piece together decades, or even centuries, of documentation. Deeds, plats, local zoning ordinances, and title abstracts provide critical information, but they don’t always capture the full story on the ground. That’s where modern land surveys come in. By bridging the gap between the legal description and the…
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A New Chapter for the Irondale Civic Center

As a senior project manager at Sain Associates, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects that will make a difference in a community. One recent example is the Irondale Civic Center in Irondale, Alabama. The building itself has quite a backstory. Originally constructed in the mid-1980s by the Shriners as a meeting space, the…
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Supporting Urban Green Spaces

Our team is passionate about projects that connect people to nature, especially those in our community. One such opportunity arose in mid-2023 when we were asked to perform a topographic survey for the Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Our work supported the design and development of a reimagined Herb Terrace herb garden area that…
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SEEDS II: Investing in Alabama’s Growth

Governor Kay Ivey recently announced $23.5 million in SEEDS grants to support economic development across Alabama. These grants, part of the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Program, provide funding to help communities prepare industrial sites for future business investment. By improving infrastructure, conducting site evaluations, and enhancing site readiness, the program ensures that…
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A Full Circle Moment at Jordan-Hare Stadium

In October 2021, my stepdaughter received the notification: “Abby, welcome to the Auburn University Class of 2026!” It was especially exciting for me as Abby would be the first in my family to attend college. Last fall, we made our third annual Parents’ Day trip to Auburn University to attend a football game. As we…
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