Southern California · Land Surveying

The Topo Your Grading Plan Needs — Grades, Drainage, Done Right.

Your civil engineer needs accurate existing grades and drainage to design the grading plan. We deliver a clean topographic survey your engineer can design cut, fill, and drainage from.

Tell us what the city, county, architect, or engineer requested — we’ll help determine whether you need boundary, topo, setback, hillside, or permit survey support. Call now to discuss your project.

Capturing existing grades and drainage for a grading plan.

Why grading plans require a topo

A grading plan moves dirt, and you can’t design cut, fill, or drainage without knowing the existing surface. A topographic survey captures that surface accurately so your civil engineer can balance grades, route runoff, and meet the city’s grading and drainage requirements.

Data we capture for cut/fill & drainage

Working with your civil engineer

We deliver in the formats your engineer designs in (CAD/DWG plus PDF), on the datum they specify, with the shot density a grading plan needs. Tell us who’s on your team and we’ll coordinate directly so the topo drops straight into their workflow.

Hillside grading considerations

On slopes, grading review is stricter and the survey needs more detail. We capture denser shots on steep terrain and can pair the topo with slope analysis when the city is looking at slope and buildable area.

Deliverables

Related help

Frequently asked questions

Why does my grading plan need a topo?

Because grading design depends on the existing surface. A topo gives your engineer the accurate grades and drainage needed to design cut, fill, and runoff.

What does the engineer get from you?

A CAD/DWG existing-conditions topo and a PDF exhibit, on the datum they specify, with the shot density a grading plan requires.

Do you show drainage and flow lines?

Yes — we capture swales, high/low points, flow lines, and drainage features that affect the grading design.

How dense are your shots on a slope?

We increase shot density on steep terrain so the surface model is accurate where grading review is strictest.

How long does the work take?

Timing depends on site size, terrain, access, and records research; we confirm the expected schedule with your quote.

Does this cover the grading permit?

It provides the survey the grading plan needs, but the city makes the final permit decision. We make the topo solid and submittal-ready.

A survey supports plan check, design, and code review. It does not guarantee permit approval — the city or county building and planning departments make the final decision. Our job is to make your project survey-ready.

Scoped to Your Project

Survey scope and deliverables depend on title records, site conditions, and what your project requires. Call (213) 787-3342 to discuss the property and the survey you need.

Need a topo for your grading plan?

Tell us about your site and your engineer’s requirements — we’ll quote a grading-ready topographic survey.

Call Now: (213) 787-3342 Get a Quote