No, I don't think you can do it by yourself with an optical level. Have a look at laser levels if you're going to be doing this by yourself. Check out this thread I started on builder's levels, http://www.diychatroom.com/f29/builders-level-125642/

 

A self leveling lazer would make it a one man job.
I use mine all the time for foundations, siding, fencing, laying pipe, installing chair rail ECT.

 

Yes, it can be done quite straight-forward by one man. But nowhere as easily as with two.

 

I have done it by myself using a transit and rod, but I switched over to a rotary laser level and would not go back.

 

I have done it by myself using a transit and rod, but I switched over to a rotary laser level and would not go back.

Can a laser level be used in bright sunlight?

How did you keep the transit level and upright?

 

Can a laser level be used in bright sunlight?

Yes if you have one with a receiver.

 

These are great and I had one for years when doing landscape work. Good ones are pricey though so look into rentals if you have but a one time need.

Sure you do not want to call in a civil engineer to check all grading issues that will result from placing the house and scraping the land for it? Could be money well spent in the long run. Any current or future drainage issue could be addressed at the same time.

 

Further to the last post; depending on your location it may be a requirement as regards issuing the building permit that the site plan be provided by a legit surveyor with their official license info, etc.

 

Good point! I forgot to mention the obvious! And sewer and water supply lines are probably going to need to be shown as well.

 

:thumbsup: Easy way is to grab a friend, family member or kid to help you out :thumbsup:

 

Exactly what I was going to suggest! Certainly makes it a lot simpler and quicker. Lasers are nice but certainly an overkill for projects like this.

 

having someone with you is certainly the easier way when using a transit/optical level, however the OP asked was is it possible to operate by yourself, and was their a 1-main device that can shoot grades.

A 1-person operation can be done with a transit/optical level (but really sucks, never fails as soon as your get back to the transit the rod falls over), but a laser level (I use a Dewalt rotary laser with receiver bought used on eBay for around $250) is a much easier way for a 1-person operation. It has worked for me for 7 years now.

At least that my humble opinion ....

Good luck!

 

I've never had a problem finding someone to hold the stick (paid or not).

Even my kid doesn't complain and that's a feat all in itself. :laughing:

 

This is so simple for one man that I don't know what all the fuss is about.

It is just a lot of work, and you will walk your butt off, back and forth from the transit to the stake.


And no "ROD" is needed at all.

1. Buy a bunch of 2x2's about 6 or 8 feet long... (longer if doing a steep grade)
2. Drive one in the ground everywhere you intend to have a "blue top"
3. Set up your transit (level) so you can see all of them.
4. Hang your tape from the top of the first one (ground 'zero') with a few feet hanging down.
5. Sight the tape
6. Walk to the stake and mark it at whatever number you read in the scope.
7. Do this to all the stakes. (It doesn't matter a bit what number you read, just mark it)
8. You now have all the stakes marked at the same level line.

Say, "Ground Zero" happens to be 48" down from your mark to the dirt. Fine. 57"? 61"? Fine. It doesn't matter.

Either read your grading plan, or calculate the slope (drop) for each stake.

Go to each stake and simply add the inches (feet?) of drop to the original 48". (You'll have to dig down into the ground to do this.)

This is the height of THAT 'Blue Top' marker.

Set the 'Blue Tops'.

You're done. (You might want to leave the stakes there to let the tractor operator know where each "Blue Top" is located.)

 

Stakes must be put in plumb.
Or at least measure plumb when doing the measuring to the ground.

 

Willie, part of the problem with your idea is that it involves a huge amount of calculations especially if you're just trying to survey the profile of the land which is what it appears that the OP is planning to do it this time. Your idea should work fine for doing the actual cut and fill (assuming this stakes don't get hit) but for creating a profile of the lot it's quite complicated.

 

Not much calculating at all.
ex. grade is at 48" from line I have 77" from line so I need 77-48 is 29" fill at that stake.
OR
Grade is 48" from line I have 27" from line so I need 27-48 is 21" cut at that stake.

 

For now I am just looking to get a basic grade idea so my architect can design the cut & fill. It will later be finalized by a surveyor but for now I just want to get a general grade going.

The lot is very gentle sloping and it is at the highest spot of the multi-acre lot.

 

So which is the better unit for a ONE MAN job?

CST/Berger Manual Level Rotary Laser (model #LM30PKG)
http://www.amazon.com/CST-57-LM30PK...FBU/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1342503393&sr=1-1&keywords=berger+laser+lm30pkg

OR

Bosch Self Leveling Rotary Laser Level (model# GRL250HVCK)

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=GRL250HVCK#benefits

Once again, I need to shoot elevations for general slope of a given area.