Surveying
Stake-Out
The process of establishing the physical location of a structure or feature in the field by placing stakes based on construction plans and coordinates.
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In the Field
Stake-out (or layout) happens before any digging or forming. A licensed surveyor sets offset stakes for building corners, column centers, and utility alignments. Never move a stake — if it's in your way, call the surveyor for an offset point.
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Rule of Thumb
Offset stakes are typically set 3–5 feet outside the actual construction limits so they survive excavation. Record the offset distance in your daily log in case a stake is disturbed.