Your proposal will detail an approximate timeframe from signing your proposal to conducting initial fieldwork. This timeframe is based on our workload at the time the proposal is sent and may vary slightly as other proposals are signed. If a major change in timeframe is necessary, you will be notified.

For the most efficient and up-to-date response, we recommend reaching out to your project manager directly via phone or email. This ensures clear communication and a timely update on your project's status.

Absolutely! However, we do offer a project submittal service to assist you with the application and approval process. If you elect to have DES handle the submittal process on your behalf, we will prepare your application, submit to municipality, and advocate for your project's approval. This service helps facilitate communication between you and municipality so you are able to finalize property changes as quickly and efficiently as possible.

There is no need to be onsite when the crew arrives, but please let us know if they will need any special access permissions for gated entries, locked fences, long driveways, pets on the property, or any other conditions that may affect access to the property.

No, DES specializes in Civil Engineering, but we may be able to offer insight into structural concerns as they relate to site design—evaluating how erosion, poor drainage, or land movement may be contributing to foundation issues; identifying whether site conditions are affecting retaining walls, embankments, or other structures; or advising on site-related solutions that could mitigate structural concerns. Check out our Site Inspections & Evaluations page for more information.

DES requires written notice for all project cancellations, and the minimum cancellation fee is 20% of the total project budget. The Client will be invoiced for the work completed through the cancellation date and payment is due upon receipt of the invoice.

Printed copies of all project deliverables are available upon request. Fees may apply.

There is no need to be onsite when the crew arrives, but please let us know if they will need any special access permissions for gated entries, locked fences, long driveways, pets on the property, or any other conditions that may affect access to the property.

No, DES does not provide utility or septic system locating services. Our team only identifies and notes visually observed utility features on the property (such as visible pipes, electrical boxes, cleanouts, meters, etc.). We do not use specialized equipment to detect or locate buried utilities or septic components. DES has access to subcontractors who are readily available to perform utility location services, if needed.

Your proposal will detail an approximate timeframe from signing your proposal to conducting initial fieldwork. This timeframe is based on our workload at the time the proposal is sent and may vary slightly as other proposals are signed. If a major change in timeframe is necessary, you will be notified.

After the updated plat has been approved and recorded, it takes several weeks for the tax assessor's office to update your property listing on their website.

A survey plat is a scaled drawing that details the exact measurements and features of a property, including lot dimensions, easements, rights-of-way, and any improvements on the land. Marking a property line with stakes or flags can provide a helpful visual, but only a survey plat, prepared by a Licensed Land Surveyor, provides a definitive record of property boundaries. Check out our What's a Plat? news article for more information.

After the plat has been signed and sealed by our Professional Land Surveyor, it will be delivered to you digitally.  You may elect to have the survey recorded with the County Clerk of Court or keep it for your records.  DES will notify you if the survey needs to be submitted for municipality approval first.

If you would like to be on-site, please notify our team.  Your project manager will reach out 3-5 days prior to sending a crew on-site to ensure we can best meet your scheduling needs. In the event of inclement weather, you can expect our team to reach out with an alternate date to complete the fieldwork.

No, DES does not provide wetland delineation services. Any available information on wetlands is sourced from publicly accessible databases.  DES has access to subcontractors who are readily available to perform wetland delineation services, if needed.

​The draft of plat will be delivered approximately 2 weeks after fieldwork is completed.

Absolutely! However, we do offer a project submittal service to assist you with the application and approval process. If you elect to have DES handle the submittal process on your behalf, we will prepare your application, submit to municipality, and advocate for your project's approval. This service helps facilitate communication between you and municipality so you are able to finalize property changes as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Check out our news article Residential Development: Where to Start for some helpful next steps and a brief overview of preliminary design phases for residential development.

For a residential site plan, we ask that you provide a short summary of your goals for the site and all relevant property details such as surveys, architectural plans, environmental reports, known utility information or restrictions, sketches, etc prior the start of work. Having this information upfront allows our team to work efficiently and helps prevent delays in completing your project.

Permitting requirements can vary significantly based on your project's location, proposed development, zoning restrictions, and environmental considerations. Consulting with local authorities early helps clarify permitting processes and requirements. If you haven’t connected with permitting authorities yet, don’t worry. DES will initiate contact on your behalf to make sure all necessary requirements are being addressed. We’re committed to guiding every project through a smooth and compliant process from start to finish.

If you prefer to handle permitting independently, you are welcome to do so. However, DES offers a project submittal service to assist you through the application and permitting process. If you elect to have DES handle the submittal process on your behalf, we will prepare your application(s) and supporting documents, submit to municipality, and advocate for your project's approval. This service helps facilitate communication between you and municipality so you are able to obtain a land disturbance permit as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Yes, but changes may affect the project's initial timeline and budget. A change order with additional fees will most likely be provided to reflect the additional time and resources needed to make requested changes to the site design. Please let your project manager know as soon as possible if there are changes to the project, so we can adjust the scope and provide updated expectations.

For the most efficient and up-to-date response, we recommend reaching out to your project manager directly via phone or email. This ensures clear communication and a timely update on your project's status.

Your proposal will detail an approximate timeframe from signing your proposal to conducting initial fieldwork. This timeframe is based on our workload at the time the proposal is sent and may vary slightly as other proposals are signed. If a major change in timeframe is necessary, you will be notified.

There is no need to be onsite when the crew arrives, but please let us know if they will need any special access permissions for gated entries, locked fences, long driveways, pets on the property, or any other conditions that may affect access to the property.  If you have a specific testing area in mind, it may be helpful to indicate it on site.

Our soils department will place flags with boring location numbers on site to indicate their testing locations. This assists the Environmental Health department when conducting on site inspections for septic permitting. We recommend leaving them on site until the health department has completed their inspection.

​The completed report will be provided approximately 1 week after fieldwork is completed.