FAQs

Absolutely. It’s a great question—and one we hear often. At WPL, we offer all three services: land surveying, landscape architecture, and civil engineering, and we’re here to help you determine what’s right for your project.

A landscape architect focuses on the design of outdoor spaces, blending form and function with environmental awareness. For residential clients, this can include designing patios, planting plans, drainage solutions, lighting layouts, and overall site flow. If you’re envisioning a new garden, backyard retreat, or layout for a pool or outdoor kitchen, a landscape architect will help bring that vision to life with creativity and precision—while also ensuring it complies with local codes and environmental regulations.

A civil engineer, on the other hand, ensures that the technical design aspects of a development project function safely and efficiently. This might include grading, stormwater management systems, erosion control, utility planning, Chesapeake Bay protections, and ensuring that your site meets regulatory requirements. Civil engineering services are typically needed when a project involves significant changes to the land, such as new buildings or building additions, retaining walls, parking lots, or complex drainage systems.

Land surveying ties both disciplines together by providing accurate measurements of your property, including boundaries, elevations, and existing conditions. A survey is often the first step of any design process, as it gives our team the precise information needed to plan effectively and responsibly.

Each of these departments at WPL operates independently, with dedicated experts in their respective fields. However, when a project requires collaboration across disciplines, we make the integration seamless and smooth. Our teams communicate closely to ensure that every element—from technical specifications to creative design—is aligned and efficient.

Not every project requires all three services. In fact, many move forward with just landscape architecture or just surveying. Our team will help you identify what your project truly needs—no more, no less—so you can make informed decisions that are best for your timeline, budget, and goals.

Great news—initial consultations for your landscape design project are always free at WPL! During the consultation, we’ll discuss your vision, explore ideas, and determine how we can best meet your goals. One important thing to keep in mind is that every landscape design project requires an accurate, up-to-date land survey. If you already have a recent survey, that’s an excellent starting point. Our team will review your existing survey with you and help determine if additional detail is needed, based on your property’s unique topography and the scope of your desired project. Having precise survey information ensures your design is accurate, sustainable, and tailored perfectly to your landscape.

At WPL, we follow a structured yet personalized approach to landscape design projects. Our process begins with a free initial on-site consultation to understand your property and discuss your vision. Afterward, we prepare a tailored proposal outlining the project scope and steps involved. Once the proposal is accepted, we’ll conduct a detailed site tour and programming meeting to review site conditions, discuss your goals, and gather essential input.

Next, we’ll move into the conceptual landscape design phase, starting with an accurate land survey to ensure precise planning. We’ll then present preliminary layout concepts, working closely with you to incorporate any modifications or enhancements until the design fully meets your vision. Finally, our team will deliver a comprehensive final landscape design that includes detailed site features, planting plans, and assistance navigating the necessary permitting process. Throughout the entire project, we’ll ensure you have clear expectations and thorough communication every step of the way.

Yes, we can absolutely help, and resolving drainage issues is one of our specialties. Poor drainage may lead to standing water, erosion, foundation damage, and a reduction in usable yard space. At WPL, we have many years of experience assisting homeowners and property managers across Coastal Virginia to identify the causes of flooding and implement effective, lasting solutions.

Every property is unique, so our process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your land’s topography, soil conditions, and existing drainage infrastructure. Our team of licensed landscape architects, civil engineers, and land surveyors work together to develop a site-specific drainage plan that might include regrading, swales, dry wells, rain gardens, or other green infrastructure techniques. We can also help you navigate local permitting requirements and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area considerations that come into play in low-lying or waterfront areas.

Whether you face a consistently wet backyard or occasional standing water near your foundation, our team offers the technical expertise and local knowledge needed to restore your property to a dry, safe, and enjoyable state.

The type of survey you need depends on the specific goals of your project—whether you’re building a new structure, establishing a property line, or planning for land development. At WPL, our team of licensed surveyors will help you determine exactly what kind of survey best suits your needs based on your property, project scope, and local requirements.

To learn more about the different types of land surveys and which one might apply to your situation, check out our blog post: Do You Need a Land Surveyor? Your Questions Answered

Determining the exact cost of a land survey can be challenging because each property has unique characteristics influencing the scope and complexity of the surveying work. While we’d love to provide a straightforward price upfront, several factors must be considered to ensure you receive an accurate and fair estimate tailored specifically to your property.

Common factors that impact the cost of a survey include:

• Property Size and Shape: Larger parcels naturally require more time to survey, and irregular or unusual shapes can complicate boundary identification and measurements.
• Location and Access: Properties situated in areas that are difficult to reach—such as remote locations, dense woodlands, heavily vegetated areas, or waterfront sites—typically increase the complexity and time needed, impacting overall costs.
• Topography and Terrain Complexity: Land with significant elevation changes, steep slopes, wetlands, or intricate natural features requires additional fieldwork and precise documentation, resulting in higher survey expenses.
• Availability and Clarity of Existing Records: If historical property documents, previous surveys, or boundary markers are missing, outdated, or unclear, extra research and field verification may be necessary, adding to the cost.
• Structures and Improvements: Existing fences, buildings, driveways, pools, decks, or landscaping features near property boundaries must be carefully documented. Identifying encroachments or other boundary concerns increases the detail and effort required.
• Type of Survey Required: Different surveys serve distinct purposes, from basic boundary surveys to specialized ones like topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, construction staking, or flood elevation certificates. Each type varies in complexity, influencing pricing.

For instance, surveying a small, flat residential lot with clearly defined boundaries typically costs less compared to surveying a waterfront property with dense vegetation, difficult access, or complicated boundary records.

At WPL, we understand that navigating the land surveying process can be overwhelming, and we are committed to transparent pricing and straightforward communication. The most accurate way to determine the cost for your property is to discuss your specific needs directly with our experienced surveying team. Simply provide your property address and details about your goals, and we’ll gladly prepare a clear, customized proposal.

Our goal is to provide you peace of mind through dependable service and clear expectations, empowering you to make confident, informed decisions regarding your property.

The time required to complete a land survey varies based on several key factors, including the specific details of your property, our current workload, and weather conditions. While we strive to complete each survey efficiently, providing an exact timeline can be complex due to the personalized nature of every survey project.

Several primary considerations impact survey timelines:

• Fieldwork Requirements:
  The complexity of your property directly affects the time spent performing the field survey. Smaller residential lots with clear boundary markers typically require less time, while larger properties or those with complicated boundaries, dense vegetation, difficult terrain, or waterfront locations often demand more extensive fieldwork. Fieldwork can range from just a few hours for simpler sites to several days or even weeks for more complicated properties.
• Current Scheduling and Workload:
  Our schedule typically fills up approximately 4 – 7 weeks in advance from the date we receive your signed Professional Services Agreement (PSA). Once your property is scheduled, it can take several additional weeks following the completion of fieldwork for our team to accurately process, verify, and finalize your survey data. If your project is particularly time-sensitive, we encourage you to contact our office early in your planning process. This allows us to provide a more accurate estimate tailored to your timeline and coordinate accordingly.
• Weather Conditions:
  Surprisingly to many, weather is a significant factor affecting survey timelines. Field surveying requires relatively clear weather to achieve accurate results. Rain, high winds, snow, or other severe weather conditions may delay scheduled fieldwork, sometimes by several days or weeks, depending on severity and frequency.

We understand that timing can be critical, and we always aim to deliver your survey as efficiently as possible without compromising accuracy or quality. Communication is key—if you have specific scheduling constraints or project deadlines, please discuss them upfront with our team. We’ll do our very best to accommodate your timeline and provide clear, realistic expectations every step of the way.

Land surveys don’t come with an official expiration date, but their accuracy and reliability can change over time. Generally, surveys remain valid as long as no significant changes—such as new construction, boundary adjustments, or property improvements—have occurred since the original survey was conducted. Most lenders, attorneys, and permitting agencies typically require a recent survey (usually within the past six months to one year) to ensure accuracy. If your property hasn’t changed and your survey is fairly recent, it likely remains valid. However, if you’re planning new projects, selling your home, or applying for permits, it’s a good idea to confirm whether an updated survey is required. Our team is always available to review your existing survey and help you determine if an update is necessary.

Yes, WPL provides real estate surveys specifically tailored for property closings. A real estate closing survey—often referred to as a boundary survey or physical survey—is typically required to accurately document the boundaries, existing structures, easements, and potential encroachments on the property. This type of survey is essential to ensure clear ownership and to identify any boundary-related issues prior to finalizing your real estate transaction.

To initiate a real estate closing survey, the first step is to communicate with your real estate closing attorney. Your attorney is familiar with your transaction, understands the specific survey requirements of your property, and can effectively act as your liaison with our surveying team. By working directly with your closing attorney, WPL can ensure that all necessary details and requirements are clearly communicated and understood, resulting in the most accurate and efficient survey possible.

For best results regarding accuracy and timing, please ask your real estate attorney to contact our office directly. We’ll coordinate closely with them to streamline the survey process, meeting the specific needs of your property transaction.

Simply put, a survey will show the boundaries of the property, the relationship of the property to adjoining properties, easements to be aware of and whether there are any encroachments such as a fence or any other construction that is hanging over onto the land. A residential physical survey is the only reliable way of locating and confirming elementary information about a property. Obtaining a survey is very beneficial so homeowners do not run into any discrepancies between actual occupation or use and the description of record while also indicating the location of physical improvements in relation to the property lines. We highly recommend every homeowner to order a survey and review it before taking a title.

Yes, in most cases, you do need a property survey to build a shed in your backyard. Many homeowners are surprised by this requirement, but it’s an essential step for complying with local regulations and ensuring you build within your property’s boundaries.

In the City of Virginia Beach, as in most Coastal Virginia municipalities, local zoning ordinances and building permit requirements typically mandate a survey to confirm your shed’s placement relative to property lines, easements, setbacks, and other restrictions. Easement (designated areas of your property that grant specific usage rights to utility companies, municipalities, or neighboring property owners) often restrict where structures like sheds can be located.

For residents within Virginia Beach, the Planning Department and Permits and Inspections Office will provide the most current guidelines and requirements for building a shed on your property. If your property is located in another city within Coastal Virginia, regulations may vary slightly, so contacting your local zoning or planning office directly will ensure you receive the most accurate information.

If you have questions about property surveys, setbacks, or navigating permitting requirements, our team is here to assist you. We have extensive experience working throughout Coastal Virginia and can help simplify the process, guiding you through code requirements and ensuring your project moves forward smoothly.

WPL specializes in civil engineering services for small to mid-sized projects, with a primary focus on single-family and small-scale multifamily residential developments and commercial sites. Our civil team is intentionally lean, allowing for a highly focused and personalized approach to each project. We pride ourselves on close collaboration and hands-on involvement throughout the entire process.

Some of our recent work includes site development and permitting for local churches, car washes, self-storage units, private schools, and small commercial centers across Coastal Virginia. These projects often involve new buildings, grading and drainage design, utility coordination, parking lots and roadway access, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management solutions tailored to the site.

Because our civil engineering team works closely with our in-house landscape architects and surveyors, we offer a fully integrated approach to site design that prioritizes function, compliance, and sustainability. Clients appreciate the added benefit of working with a firm that understands how each component—land design, engineering, and surveying—fits together for a smoother, more efficient process.

If you’re unsure where your project falls on the size and complexity scale, we’re happy to help evaluate it with you. If we determine that your needs exceed our scope, we’ll gladly refer you to a larger firm or more specialized firm we trust to meet your expectations. At WPL, our goal is to guide you toward the best possible outcome—even if that means connecting you with another qualified partner.

Projects such as installing a fence, adding a home generator, or building a home addition each have their own unique considerations and requirements, often determined by your property’s specific conditions and local regulations. However, the general process follows a similar approach across all of these projects.

To start, it’s crucial to have an accurate, up-to-date property survey to clearly establish property lines, easements, setbacks, and zoning requirements. If you already have a recent survey—great! If not, our surveying team can help you complete one. Once the survey is ready, we’ll help you navigate local permitting processes. Permits ensure your project aligns with city or county codes and safety standards.

Additionally, properties within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) may require further review or approvals, depending on your project’s scope and impact. Our experienced team excels at navigating these complexities and providing detailed project management. We’ll guide you through every step, from initial planning and permitting to final implementation, making your home improvement journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Yes, WPL has extensive experience helping property owners navigate the process of permanently closing paper streets and alleys. These unused or unpaved public rights-of-way can often create confusion over property boundaries, limit privacy, or pose safety concerns. By closing them to automobile traffic, homeowners may increase property value, improve neighborhood walkability, and gain greater control over adjacent land use.

The process typically involves a thorough site review, preparation of a formal request or petition to the local governing body, and the development of detailed exhibits or plats to support the application. WPL’s team of land surveyors and landscape architects will guide you through each step, from verifying property boundaries to coordinating with city departments. In some cases, utility companies or adjacent property owners may also need to be notified or involved, and we can help manage that coordination as well.

Our team has successfully completed multiple paper street closures throughout Coastal Virginia and understands the nuances of municipal procedures. If you’re considering this step, we’re ready to help you evaluate your property and determine the best path forward.

To determine if your property falls within a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA), you can start by visiting the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s CBPA website. This resource outlines the importance of the Preservation Act and how it may affect development on your land.

Many localities now offer interactive GIS maps and online planning portals that allow homeowners to enter their address and view property-specific data, including CBPA boundaries, Resource Protection Areas (RPAs), and Resource Management Areas (RMAs). These tools are especially helpful for getting a preliminary understanding of potential restrictions before speaking with a design professional.

However, because CBPA regulations and enforcement vary by locality, we always recommend confirming your findings by contacting your local planning or environmental department—or reaching out to a professional site design consultant like WPL. We’re happy to help you navigate the process and understand how these regulations may impact your project.

From the edge of the shoreline or tributary stream or any other seaward component of the RPA (i.e. highly erodible soils, tidal and contiguous nontidal wetlands), the first 50 feet inland is called the seaward 50 feet of the buffer. The next 50 feet inland is called the landward 50 feet of the buffer. The seaward 50 feet and the landward 50 feet of the buffer comprise the 100 foot buffer.

When seeking the opinion of a professional, it is best to research the field and ask for recommendations. Clients are looking for accurate and reliable information to improve the quality of their decisions. Prepare a list of questions to ask a potential consultant to narrow in on their expertise and ask to see similar in scope examples of their past experience. WPL has a stellar reputation in Hampton Roads and is interested in developing long-term relationships with our clients. We encourage our clients to ask questions and stay involved with the project from start to finish. Please let us tell you about our past experience and we can help you problem solve!

Zoning ordinances are put in place to promote health, safety and general welfare of the public in addition to protecting and preserving the value of buildings and encourage the most appropriate use of land in a manner that promotes uniformity. Zoning helps with future planning of communities and population growth, conserving the areas natural land and resources and retaining an area’s existing character.

The construction, installation, or maintenance of water dependent facilities is allowed as well as redevelopment subject to the requirements of the ordinance. These are the only uses allowed in the RPA. Minor projects in the landward 50 feet of the RPA buffer are allowed as an exception. Other exceptions and variances are granted on an individual basis. Some projects may be reviewed and approved administratively while others may require Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board review and approval.

Yes, WPL is highly qualified to help you address stormwater challenges and protect your property from the impacts of flooding and sea level rise. Whether you’re a homeowner concerned about pooling water in your yard or a business owner looking to improve drainage and resilience, our team specializes in designing effective and sustainable stormwater management solutions.

Every site is different, but our approach typically includes a mix of green infrastructure, infiltration techniques, and site-specific strategies like rain gardens, permeable paving, stormwater ponds, and filtration systems. These designs not only help reduce runoff and pollution but also improve the long-term value and usability of your property.

We work closely with municipalities, developers, and individual clients to ensure that each stormwater solution meets both environmental regulations and real-world needs. Whether you’re building new or retrofitting an existing site, WPL can help you make your property more flood-resilient and environmentally responsible.

We completely understand that waiting for updates can be frustrating—especially when you’re trying to keep your project moving. Please know that each project is as unique as the property it’s tied to, and providing accurate answers often requires detailed research, coordination, and internal review. This can take time, particularly during periods of high demand.

Our team is committed to delivering responses that are clear, complete, and correct—not rushed or speculative. If you’re waiting to hear back, there’s a good chance we’re actively reviewing property records, researching permit or code requirements, or verifying important project details before following up.

If your matter is time-sensitive, we encourage you to email us at admin@wplsite.com with your name, property address, and a summary of your concern. This allows us to quickly route your request to the right team member and respond with the information you need as efficiently as possible. Thank you for your patience as we work to support your project with the attention it deserves.