From grade stakes to pad cert — without leaving the field.

Set up your subdivision project — enter lot numbers and design pad elevations

Before your grading crew takes the first shot, set up the project in Sitemark. Enter the subdivision name, lot numbers (or import them from your civil plan CSV), and the design pad elevation for each lot from the civil engineer's grading plan.

Sitemark stores the design elevation for every lot — so when you log a field elevation, the pass/fail calculation is automatic. No manual spreadsheet lookups. No re-typing design elevations for 200 lots.

Multiple crew members can work the same project simultaneously. Each logs their own lots; the project dashboard updates in real time.

Log as-graded elevation at each lot — front corner, rear corner, center

At each lot, your field tech logs three elevation shots: front corner (near street), rear corner, and lot center. Sitemark records all three for a complete picture of the pad shape — not just a single-point average that can hide drainage problems.

Shots can be logged from a GPS rover, optical level, or laser level reading. Sitemark is instrument-agnostic: if you can read an elevation, you can log it. Each entry records the tech's name, the instrument used, and the timestamp.

For rough grade, log the first set of elevations. For finish grade, log a second set on the same lot. Sitemark tracks both phases so you have a complete record from initial rough grade through final finish.

Auto-compare to design pad — pass/fail at ±0.10 ft tolerance

As each elevation is logged, Sitemark automatically compares it to the design pad elevation from the civil plan. The result is instant: pass or fail, with the deviation displayed in feet.

The default tolerance is ±0.10 ft (±1.2 inches), matching most municipal grading specifications and the standard practice for residential pad certs. Your PE can configure tighter or looser tolerances per project if the grading plan requires it.

Failed lots are flagged immediately — not discovered during the PE review the night before submittal. Your grading superintendent sees which lots need additional work before the crew moves to the next phase.

Log drainage slopes and swale grades — verify 2% minimum positive drainage

Building pad drainage is as critical as pad elevation. IBC Section 1804 requires a minimum 2% drainage slope for the first 10 feet from the foundation on landscaped areas. Many municipalities and CC&Rs add requirements for lot drainage to street or drainage easements.

Sitemark's drainage module lets you log the drainage slope from the pad edge toward the street, swale, or drainage easement — for each lot. The minimum 2% threshold is checked automatically. Insufficient drainage slope is flagged the same as an elevation failure.

Swale grades between lots are logged separately — ensuring storm conveyance grades are documented for the PE and building department. A lot can pass elevation but fail drainage, and Sitemark tracks both independently.

Generate PE-ready pad certification report for building department submittal

When all lots show passing elevations and drainage slopes, tap "Generate Pad Cert." Sitemark produces a PE-ready pad certification report that includes:

1. Lot-by-lot elevation table — every lot with design elevation, as-graded elevation, deviation, tolerance, and pass/fail.

2. Drainage verification summary — lot-by-lot drainage slope, direction, and pass/fail vs. minimum.

3. Rough grade certification statement — contractor's certification that all pads were graded per the civil plan.

4. Signature and seal block — formatted for the licensed PE or contractor to sign and seal before submittal.

The report is formatted for building department acceptance: clean, professional, with your company name, license number, and project information. Not a raw data dump — a document the permit tech can process on first review.