Serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1991
Mon–Fri · 7:30 AM–4:00 PM (510) 261-0900
Professional Land + Hydrographic Surveying

Know exactly
where you stand.

From property corners to airport runways, Bay crossings to seismic monitoring—PLS Surveys brings decades of field judgment, licensed expertise, and personal attention to every line we establish.

Discuss Your Project → Call (510) 261-0900
1991Founded
35+ yrsBay Area Experience
PLS 5984Julia Terry
PLS 5254Joseph Brajkovich
37.8044° N / 122.2712° W · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
EstablishedWoman-Owned Since 1991
CertifiedSBE · California / Oakland / Alameda
QualifiedHazMat + TWIC
SpecializedHydrographic Capability
ApproachDirect PLS Attention
Capabilities

Surveying built for real-world decisions.

The best survey is not simply accurate—it gives architects, engineers, contractors, agencies and property owners the confidence to move forward. PLS supports projects from initial boundary research through construction, monitoring and final mapping.

01 / LAND

Boundary + Topographic

Property lines, site features, elevations and existing conditions for homes, streetscapes, parks, levees and development.

Define the site →
02 / WATER

Hydrographic Surveying

Pre- and post-dredge surveys, marinas, channels, levee islands, sand leases and marine infrastructure.

Measure below water →
03 / CONTROL

Control + Monitoring

Precise movement and elevation monitoring for seismic retrofits, transportation structures and sensitive sites.

Monitor movement →
04 / TITLE

ALTA + Mapping

ALTA/NSPS, subdivision maps, parcel maps, records of survey, corner records, right-of-way and easements.

Map ownership →
05 / GEOSPATIAL

GPS + GIS

High-accuracy control and geospatial positioning for GIS workflows, infrastructure, research and large-area projects.

Reference the world →
06 / ENVIRONMENTAL

Environmental + Aerial Control

Monitoring wells, contaminated-soil volumes, photogrammetric control and orthophoto support across complex sites.

Capture conditions →
Selected Experience

The Bay Area is part of our field book.

PLS has contributed survey control, mapping, monitoring and hydrographic work across some of Northern California's most recognizable transportation, civic, marine and research environments.

01
Hydrographic · Port Infrastructure

Port of Oakland Expansion + 50-Foot Dredge Operation

Hydrographic surveying supporting one of the Bay Area's defining maritime infrastructure environments—where accuracy must hold up beneath the waterline as well as above it.

02
Construction

Oakland Airport Runway Upgrade

03
Monitoring

San Francisco City Hall Seismic Retrofit

04
Boundary + Topographic

BART Extension to Oakland Airport

GPSNASA / Ames Research Center
Aerial ControlI-80 · Bay Bridge to Carquinez Bridge
TransportationHighway 24 / 680 Interchange Expansion
RailBNSF Railroad Yard
ShorelineCrown Beach 5-Year Erosion Study
UtilityAlameda Power & Telecom Easements
Our Story

Experience is measured in judgment, not just years.

PLS Surveys was founded as a small woman-owned East Bay firm and grew by doing difficult work well—pairing personal attention with deep field experience across land, construction, environmental and marine surveying.

35+years serving the region
Field experience begins

Julia Terry begins in engineering and survey crews, followed by work with EBMUD and construction survey coordination.

Professional licensure

Julia becomes a licensed Professional Land Surveyor and provides boundary and topographic surveys.

PLS Surveys is founded

Created to fill a niche in the East Bay as a focused, woman-owned professional surveying firm.

Joseph Brajkovich joins

Joe brings extensive surveying and mapping experience across boundary, topographic, mapping and construction work.

Hydrographic capability expands

Joe earns his Coast Guard Captain's License and PLS adds hydrographic surveying to its service portfolio.

Experience alongside respected public agencies, engineers, contractors and institutions
Licensed Leadership

Senior attention is part of the deliverable.

PLS was built around direct involvement from experienced surveyors. That means fewer handoffs, clearer communication and people who understand the consequences of every line on the map.

JT
California PLS 5984 · Founder

Julia E. Terry

Julia began her career in 1975, working in engineering and survey crews before becoming licensed in 1988. She founded PLS Surveys in 1991 to create a small woman-owned firm grounded in professional care, personal attention and high-quality field work.

JB
California PLS 5254 · Hydrographic Lead

Joseph Brajkovich

Joe has surveyed since the mid-1970s and joined PLS in 1992. His work spans boundary and topographic surveys, parcel maps, ALTA surveys and construction projects. He earned his Coast Guard Captain's License in 1997 and conducts hydrographic surveys.

Client Feedback

Professional is how the work feels, too.

Technical competence matters. So does being responsive, explaining what is needed, coordinating with the rest of the project team and delivering work people trust.

★★★★★
"They were responsive, prompt, professional and affordable. They did a topographic and boundary survey of my property, which my landscape architect found to be of the highest quality."
Ellen F. · El Cerrito · Dec. 2025
★★★★★
"There is clearly a lot of experience in this operation… They were easy to reach, and were happy to chat with my contractor directly to make sure everyone was on the same page."
Siouxsie M. · Berkeley · Sept. 2025
Start a Project

Tell us what you need to know about the site.

Not sure which survey is required? That is part of what a professional surveyor helps determine. Give us the property, project type and what you are trying to accomplish. We can help identify the right scope.

Office HoursMon–Fri · 7:30–4:00
Fax(510) 261-3303
Request a survey consultation
A few details help us understand your project before we speak.
Prefer to talk? Call (510) 261-0900 during office hours.