Re-Introduction Post

Hello! We have some new followers to our website (welcome!) and wanted to take a chance to introduce ourselves again.

Sayre Associates is a civil engineering and land surveying firm located in Sioux Falls, SD. What does that mean? We work on projects that are usually outside of buildings/structures; and we tend to work from the ground down.

The civil engineers look at grading, drainage, erosion control, soil compositions, utilities such as storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and water main. They design developments, streets, school parking lots and athletic facilities, commercial sites, parking lots, roundabouts, storm water retention/detention ponds, etc. A lot of planning is involved!

The land surveyors work usually involves property lines and ownership. They do courthouse research, locate and set property lines, provide various kinds of surveys, and subdivide property into smaller parcels or combine parcels.

We also provide construction administration services, or watching projects as they are constructed to make sure they are constructed according to the plans and specifications. We create and keep great records too, including for change orders, pay requests, and drawings of record.

That’s just a simple, high-level view of a few things we can do. We also offer wetland delineation and vibration monitoring services too.

Again, our services are mainly performed outside of buildings and from the ground down.

How does this all come together? What does it look like in real life?

To build a new high school (like Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls), our team will first survey the land to provide accurate data for the civil engineers to design from. The surveyors may also have to set property corners and plat the property. Possible wetland impacts are considered.

The engineers then review and design all the things – grading, utilities, sewers, drainage, building and parking placement, etc. We work closely with the client, stakeholders, architects, and other engineering disciplines too. Conversations, design, review, and sometimes redesign will take place over months, until final plans are approved.

Construction staking, done by surveyors, happens as construction begins and throughout construction. This is so that the contractor knows what locations and elevations to build things to.

Then our construction administration team gets on site and makes sure it is all constructed as per the plans and answer any questions that come up.

The final result is a beautiful and functional facility that serves the community for years to come. We’re proud to play a small - but critical - role in making it happen.

We’re passionate about what we do and grateful for the opportunity to help shape the spaces people use every day. Thanks for following along! Have a project in mind? We would love to talk!

Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls (with parking lot and athletic facilities)