Updated May 2026 · 6 min read
How do I document rough grade for pad certification?
Shoot a minimum of 5 elevation points per lot (front left, front right, center, rear left, rear right) referenced to the approved grading plan benchmark. Calculate deviation = as-graded minus design elevation. Flag any lot outside ±0.10 ft. Verify positive drainage (minimum 5% slope first 10 ft from foundation). Re-grade failures, re-shoot, then compile a PE package with benchmark documentation, deviation summary, and drainage statement.
Before shooting a single lot, verify your benchmark. Find the permanent benchmark referenced in the approved grading plan -- typically a survey monument, BM nail set in concrete, or established control point. Set up your instrument and verify it reads the correct elevation before starting. A 0.03-foot error in your benchmark setup propagates to every shot on every lot.
Document the benchmark: BM ID, benchmark elevation, datum (project datum as shown on the grading plan), and the date you verified it. This documentation becomes part of the PE package.
For each lot, shoot a minimum of 5 points: front left corner, front right corner, center of lot, rear left corner, rear right corner. Enter each shot against the corresponding design elevation from the approved grading plan. Calculate deviation = as-graded elevation minus design elevation. Flag any lot with a deviation greater than ±0.10 ft (or ±0.15 ft in jurisdictions that allow it).
On lots larger than 7,500 SF, add midpoints on the long sides. For lots with swales, shoot the swale centerline at the low point to verify it drains correctly.
Verify positive drainage away from all structure pads. Per IRC R401.3, the minimum slope for the first 10 feet from the foundation is 6 inches of fall (approximately 5% slope), then 2% minimum beyond that to the lot line or drainage facility. Verify this is met at every corner of the pad, not just one side.
Common drainage failures: low spot adjacent to the foundation from settlement or poor compaction, garage apron that slopes back toward the house, window well that creates a ponding area. Catch these during your rough grade survey -- correcting them after the slab is poured is expensive.
Any lot outside tolerance or with drainage problems goes back to the grading contractor immediately. After re-grading, re-shoot only the failed lots -- you do not need to re-shoot the entire subdivision. Document both the original failure shots and the corrected shots. The PE package must show what was wrong, what was corrected, and the final verified elevation.
Organize all data by lot number. Include: benchmark documentation, reference to the approved grading plan (plan number and date), a complete deviation summary table for all lots, a drainage compliance statement, and corrective action documentation for any lots that required re-grading. Submit to the PE for review and certification.
Traditional workflow with paper field notes and Excel spreadsheets: 3-5 days to compile a 50-lot package. Digital workflow with field data capture: same day. The time savings alone justify the software cost.
Equipment
GPS rovers with RTK are the fastest way to collect pad elevation data -- 20-30 shots per hour, GPS coordinates auto-recorded. Total stations are best for urban infill with tree cover.
Shop at Express Tools →Sitemark captures lot elevations, calculates deviations, verifies drainage, and generates the PE certification package automatically.
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