Frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked
Straight answers about surveying, site development and infrastructure funding in central and southern Ohio. If yours is not here, call 740-497-4432.
Civil engineering and site development
What does Harral and Stevenson do on a site development project?
We take a site from schematic layout through construction-ready plans: layout options, grading, drainage and stormwater management, streets and access, water and sanitary sewer, erosion control, permitting and construction administration. On public work we also handle plan and profile sheets, right-of-way plans and utility coordination.
Do you work on both private development and public infrastructure?
Yes. Roughly half our work is private — commercial, institutional and residential development — and half is public: streets, water distribution, sanitary and storm sewer, parks and trail systems for cities, villages, townships and counties.
Which communities and counties do you serve?
Central and southern Ohio, from offices in Circleville, Lancaster and Springfield. Our engineering and survey staff work regularly in Pickaway, Fairfield, Hocking, Ross, Madison, Fayette and Clark counties.
Are you licensed in Ohio?
Harral and Stevenson is a full-service consulting firm authorized by the State of Ohio to offer Professional Engineering and Professional Surveying services. Jason Harral is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ohio and Kentucky and a LEED Accredited Professional; Craig Stevenson is a licensed Professional Engineer and Professional Surveyor in Ohio.
Can you handle the survey and the engineering on the same project?
Yes, and that is usually the point. Having boundary, topographic and right-of-way survey in the same office as the design team removes the handoffs that cause schedule slips and design rework.
Land surveying and boundary questions
What does a boundary survey cost?
Cost depends on the size and shape of the parcel, how much record research the chain of title requires, terrain and vegetation, and the conveyance standards of the county the parcel sits in. We review the deed and the location first, then give you a firm quote and a schedule before any field work begins. Call 740-497-4432 for a quote on your parcel.
What is the difference between a boundary survey and a mortgage location survey?
A boundary survey establishes and monuments the actual legal corners of the property, and produces a plat that can be relied on for a split, a fence, a building permit or a dispute. A mortgage location survey is a much lighter product prepared for a lender at closing — it shows approximate improvements relative to the record lines and does not set corners. If you intend to build, fence, or divide land, you want a boundary survey.
Which counties do you survey in?
Our crews work routinely in Pickaway, Fairfield, Hocking, Ross, Madison and Fayette counties, and out of our Springfield office in Clark County. Knowing the local customs and conveyance standards unique to each county recorder and engineer is what lets us quote competitively and turn work around on time.
Will you set stakes so I can see my property line?
Yes. A boundary survey sets durable monuments at the corners, and we can flag or stake the lines between them so the boundary is visible on the ground for fencing, clearing or construction layout.
What do I need to provide before you start?
Your deed or the parcel number is usually enough to begin. Anything else you have helps: prior surveys, title work, plats, easement documents, or the names of adjoining owners you have spoken with. If there is a known dispute or an encroachment, tell us up front — it changes the research we do.
Do you handle right-of-way and ALTA surveys for commercial and public projects?
Yes. We prepare ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, right-of-way plans to ODOT standards, real property conveyance descriptions, topographic mapping for design, and FEMA NFIP elevation certification.
Infrastructure funding and grants
What funding programs can a village or township actually qualify for?
The programs we use most for small Ohio governments are the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Issue 1 program for roads, bridges, water and sewer; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds administered through the county or the state; and Jobs Ready Sites for site-development work tied to economic growth. Which ones fit depends on the asset being improved, the community’s income data and the project’s readiness.
Do we need matching funds to apply?
Most programs expect a local share, and the size of that share affects how competitively your application scores. Part of our work is structuring the package so local dollars are used where they earn the most leverage — sometimes across more than one program on the same project.
How much funding have you secured for clients?
Over the past five years we have helped our clients secure more than $5,000,000 in matching funds through government grants and loans.
How far ahead of construction should we start?
Earlier than most communities expect. Programs have fixed annual application windows, and applications score better when the engineering is far enough along to show real cost estimates and a defensible schedule. Bring us in during planning, not after the design is finished.
What do you handle, and what stays with the community?
We prepare the engineering, cost estimates, mapping and the technical portions of the application, and we work with your officials through the review and award process. The community remains the applicant and the decision-maker; we make sure the submission is complete, accurate and defensible.
Do you help with administration after the award?
Yes. We stay involved through design, bidding and construction administration so the project is delivered on the schedule and within the scope the award was based on.
Still have a question?
Tell us about the parcel or the project and we will give you a straight answer.