McPheeters & Associates

01/09/2026

Today’s “field delay” wasn’t traffic or weather. Our roll-up door chain jumped the sprocket and the truck is officially stuck in the office.
Repair help is on the way. Until then: paperwork, calls, and a reminder that equipment maintenance is part of the job.

On the bright side, at least the truck and gear is secure.

01/02/2026

Happy New Year from McPheeters & Associates.
Thank you to our clients, colleagues, and community for your trust and collaboration.

12/19/2025

Two pieces of surveying history, still doing their job.

We located two original 1926 GLO brass-cap monuments. After 99 years, both are still standing in place (including one right on the edge of a small drainage).

These are the marks that help tie today’s boundary work to the original public land survey framework—and they’re a reminder of why careful monument preservation matters.

11/05/2025

Tuesday Troubles - We placed our RTK GPS base just outside the fence to avoid our client's curious cows. Didn't notice the inquisitive NEIGH-bor until our RTK GPS base took a nap and cut our day short. Grateful for patient clients and friendly ranchers—backup gear is on the way and the survey will continue.

07/19/2025

There’s more to fieldwork than tools and tape.
Sometimes it’s just about having your teammate’s back (or in this case, their shade).

Helping cast a shadow while my teammate cuts in a chiseled “X” on a granite outcrop.

07/07/2025

Boustrophedon: The surveyor’s zig-zag way of numbering sections. Just like an ox plowing a field.

05/17/2025

Glamorous work, glamorous conditions.
(Special thanks to our curious audience for moral support)

04/21/2025

Pre-Construction Elevation Certificate for a new ag well.

When working in a flood zone, the permitting agency requires new construction be built above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This helps reduce the number of FEMA Insurance claims and achieve a lower overall insurance rate for their area.

Based on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) we determine the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and mark a reference point for the contractor to use, so they build everything high enough. Locally this is often done for Ag Wells, Solar Panels, and Buildings.

04/19/2025

Who's feeling lucky?

04/19/2025

When a fallen tree is over the location you need to set the property corner, you grab the pruning saw and cut a notch. We carry a variety of tools in the truck.

03/18/2025

YES - I set the proposed right of way stakes yesterday.
YES - I think I know why you don't see them today.
YES - We charge for restaking.

There were 2 goats. One kept rubbbing against the lath pushing them over. The other, nibbled on the flagging. Luckly the property owner showed up with in a few minutes.

02/26/2025

Who celebrated Terminalia this past weekend?

In February, the Romans celebrated Terminalia, a festival honoring Terminus, the god of boundaries! Marking the end of the Roman year, this ancient tradition emphasized the importance of clear and lasting boundaries—something we at Berntsen know a thing or two about! 😉

Check out our blog post dedicated to this ancient holiday. https://www.berntseninternational.com/news-events/terminalia-is-still-a-thing