When you hear the word survey, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a crew on the side of the road looking through an instrument, brightly colored flagging, or stakes marking a property line. Those are all part of surveying, but there’s much more to it. Alabama’s Standards of Practice identify several types of surveys, each…
Read More
An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is a detailed property survey prepared according to standards established by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). It provides a standardized view of a property’s boundaries and other title-related features. Whether you are purchasing property, financing a development, or preparing a site…
Read More
It drives my wife and kids crazy. We’ll be on vacation, and suddenly I’ll stop to take a picture of the ground—usually followed by an enthusiastic explanation about the survey corner or control point I just found and why it’s exactly where it should be. If you spend enough time in surveying, you start noticing…
Read More
At Sain, we’re always looking for ways to improve how we collect data and support our clients’ projects. One of the most exciting recent additions to our surveying toolkit is a new drone equipped with LiDAR technology. What excites me the most about this technology is simply seeing the capabilities it brings to our work…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More