Surveying All of South Carolina Since 1982.
If your home or lot is in or near a flood zone, an elevation certificate can make a real difference in what you pay for flood insurance and in how confidently you build. Abraham Land Surveying has prepared FEMA elevation certificates for South Carolina homeowners, buyers and builders for decades, from Lake Murray and the Midlands to the coast. We offer flat-rate pricing. Call for a quote.
When you need one
- Your lender or insurance agent asked for one
- You’re buying a home or lake property in or near a FEMA flood zone
- You’re building and need to show the finished floor is above the required elevation
- You want to check whether a lower flood insurance rating might apply to you
- Flood maps changed in your area and you aren’t sure where you stand
What’s included / our process
- Call us. We’ll look up your property and FEMA flood map information and give you a flat-rate quote.
- Site visit. A licensed crew measures the elevations FEMA asks for, such as floor levels, the ground around the building, and equipment like HVAC units, and takes the required photos.
- Certificate. We complete and sign the official FEMA Elevation Certificate, ready for your insurance agent, lender or building official.
- Questions answered. We’re glad to explain what the numbers mean for your property.
Why Abraham Land Surveying
- Our clients include Chick-fil-A, Bojangles, Hampton Inn, Zaxby’s, Samsung, the U.S. Government, various SC counties, many municipalities, and thousands of private landowners
- Free estimates, always
- Surveying All of South Carolina Since 1982
- Licensed SC land surveyors with deep flood zone experience. Tad Abraham has spoken to the Mid-State Chapter of the SC Society of Professional Land Surveyors on new FIRM flood maps, and is a past-President and founding member of the Chapter. Tom Abraham was the first President of the Chapter.
- When we’re involved early on lake property, we can establish flood zone limits, set a benchmark for your builder, and verify construction along the way
- Simple flat-rate pricing with no surprises
Frequently asked questions
What is a flood zone? FEMA maps areas by flood risk. “Special Flood Hazard Areas,” such as Zone A and Zone AE, have a higher chance of flooding. A home with a federally backed mortgage in one of these zones usually has to carry flood insurance.
What does an elevation certificate actually do? It records how high your home sits compared to the expected flood level (the “base flood elevation”). Insurance companies use it to rate your flood policy. A home that sits higher may qualify for a better rate.
Is it the same as a survey? No. A boundary survey shows your property lines. An elevation certificate is a FEMA form that documents your building’s elevations. We do both, and they’re often ordered together when someone is buying a home.
I’m buying a lake house. Should I get one before closing? Yes, if the property is in or near a flood zone. We’ve seen beautiful homes built in flood zones when that was completely avoidable. Knowing ahead of time protects you from a big insurance surprise.
Does it expire? Generally, a certificate stays usable as long as the building and the flood map haven’t changed. Check with your insurance agent, and call us if anything has changed.
Find out where your home stands before your next flood insurance bill. Free estimates. Call (803) 276-8719 for a flat-rate quote, or contact us online. Surveying All of South Carolina Since 1982.