New House Elevation Questions

[givemeabreak]

I would not recommend using an unknown nail in a nearby power pole. Suppose it is not at the current base flood elevation? If you build at the elevation of the nail and then when the surveyor comes out and shoots your finished floor elevation(you WILL have to have an elevation certificate certified by a surveyor, engineer, or ar****ect in order to connect to the electric utility) and it's low, what recourse would you have? Better to spend a few more dollars up front and hire a professional to set a temporary benchmark at or above the BFE that your contractor can use to build your home at. Once construction is done the pro will come out and shoot the finished floor, or lowest flooring member(depending on the type of construction). It will cost you a few hundred dollars, but then the surveyor bears the responsibility-in case of a mistake he will be liable.