Elevation Certificates in Florida
FEMA-compliant elevation certificates for flood insurance and permitting. Help reduce your flood insurance premiums with accurate elevation data.
Licensed PSM
Insured
67 Counties Served
Overview
What Is a Elevation Certificate?
Understanding this essential surveying service
An Elevation Certificate is an official FEMA document that records the elevation of your building relative to flood zones. It's required by most flood insurance companies to determine your premium and may be required for building permits in flood-prone areas.
At Apex Surveying & Mapping, we prepare FEMA elevation certificates across the state. Florida's unique flood challenges—from coastal storms to inland flooding—make elevation certificates essential for property owners seeking accurate flood insurance pricing.
Many property owners find that a professional elevation certificate actually reduces their flood insurance premiums. If your home was built above the base flood elevation, proper documentation can result in significant annual savings.
Advantages
Key Benefits of Elevation Certificates
Why property owners and professionals trust our services
Potentially Lower Insurance Premiums
Properties built above base flood elevation often qualify for lower premiums once properly documented.
Required for Flood Insurance
Most flood insurance policies require an elevation certificate. Without one, you may be paying higher rates.
Building Permit Compliance
Many Florida jurisdictions require elevation certificates for construction in flood zones.
Property Sale Documentation
Buyers want to know flood risk. An elevation certificate provides documented answers.
How It Works
Our Elevation Process
A clear, step-by-step approach from start to finish
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Property Review
We review your property address, determine flood zone status, and identify required measurements.
Timeline: typically ~1hr
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Field Measurements
Our surveyors measure building elevation, including lowest floor, machinery, and other required points.
Timeline: Scheduled within 3-5 days
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Certificate Preparation
We complete the official FEMA Elevation Certificate form with all required data.
Timeline: 2-3 business days
-
Delivery
You receive the certified Elevation Certificate in formats accepted by insurance companies.
Timeline: Total: 5-7 business days
Deliverables
What's Included in Your Elevation
Everything you receive with our service
- FEMA Elevation Certificate (Form 086-0-33)
- Building elevation measurements relative to NAVD88
- Lowest floor elevation
- Machinery/equipment elevation
- Flood zone determination
- Base flood elevation identification
- Building photographs
- Digital and printed copies
What this costs
An elevation certificate is priced by the vertical control behind it, not by the form. The crew has to carry an accurate elevation from a published benchmark to your structure, measure every point the FEMA form requires - lowest floor, machinery and equipment, lowest adjacent grade - photograph the building, and have a Florida PSM sign and seal it. Distance from usable control, crawlspaces, split levels and elevated coastal construction all add field time.
- Published Florida government contracts put a two-person survey crew (conventional and GPS) at $129.80-$281.00 per hour, and a senior licensed surveyor at PSM level at $135.99-$382.97 per hour. Source: negotiated rates in Florida city, county, special-district and FDOT contracts, 2024-2026.
General range, not a quote. Your price depends on parcel count, scope, access, vegetation, travel, and what corner monumentation still exists.
What your project actually requires is what sets the price. Request a free quote for your specific property.
Use Cases
When Do You Need a Elevation?
Common situations that call for this service
New Flood Insurance Policy
Starting a new flood insurance policy? An elevation certificate helps determine your accurate premium.
Premium Review
Think you're paying too much for flood insurance? An elevation certificate may reveal you qualify for lower rates.
Building Permit
Many Florida counties require elevation certificates before issuing permits in flood zones.
Buying or Selling Property
Elevation certificates provide valuable flood risk documentation for real estate transactions.
Not sure if you need a elevation certificates? Contact us — we'll help you determine the right survey for your situation.
Project Lifecycle
Your Complete Project Workflow
See where this service fits in the typical project timeline
2
Flood Insurance Review
Insurance Agent
Insurance agent uses EC for premium calculation
3
LOMA Application
Apex Surveying
If eligible, apply to remove from flood zone
1
2
Flood Insurance Review
Insurance Agent
Insurance agent uses EC for premium calculation
3
LOMA Application
Apex Surveying
If eligible, apply to remove from flood zone
Coverage
Where We Provide Elevation Certificates in Florida
Apex Surveying & Mapping serves clients throughout Florida
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Elevation Certificates
Answers to common questions from our clients
How much does an elevation certificate cost in Florida?
An elevation certificate is quoted per building. The work behind it is finding a published benchmark close enough to carry accurate vertical control to the site, measuring every point FEMA's form requires - lowest floor, machinery and equipment, and the lowest adjacent grade - photographing the structure, and having a Florida PSM sign and seal the form. Distance from usable control, crawlspaces, split levels, and elevated coastal construction all add field time. For scale, published Florida government contracts from 2024 to 2026 put a two-person survey crew at $129.80 to $281.00 per hour and a senior licensed surveyor at $135.99 to $382.97 per hour (source: negotiated rates in Florida city, county, special-district and FDOT contracts, 2024-2026). These are general market ranges rather than quotes - send us the address and we will quote it.
Will an elevation certificate lower my flood insurance?
It depends on your property. If your lowest floor is above the base flood elevation, proper documentation often results in lower premiums. Even if it doesn't lower your rate, it provides accurate pricing rather than estimated rates.
How long is an elevation certificate valid?
Elevation certificates don't expire, but they become outdated if you make changes to your property or if FEMA updates flood maps. Insurance companies typically accept certificates that are reasonably current and reflect actual conditions.
Do I need an elevation certificate if I'm not in a flood zone?
Properties in low-risk zones (Zone X) may not require elevation certificates for insurance, but they can still be useful. If FEMA maps change and your property is reclassified, having documentation may help maintain lower rates.
What's the difference between an elevation certificate and a flood determination?
A flood determination simply identifies which flood zone a property is in. An elevation certificate measures actual building elevations relative to flood levels, providing much more detailed information for insurance rating.
Learn More
Related Guides
Elevation Certificates & Flood Zones
How elevation certificates affect flood insurance.
Flood Zone & Elevation Guide
BFE, FEMA flood zones, and county data.
Flood Zone Lookup Tool
Look up FEMA flood zones for any Florida county.
Top Elevation Certificate Companies (2026)
Compare Florida elevation certificate providers.
Elevation Certificate vs LOMA
When to get an elevation certificate vs a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment.
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Why Apex
Why Choose Apex Surveying?
Trusted by property owners and professionals across Florida
Licensed PSM
Florida Board certified Professional Surveyors and Mappers
Insured
E&O and General liability coverage for your protection
Fast Turnaround
5-7 business days typical delivery timeframe
Statewide Service
Covering all 67 Florida counties
Quoted per building
Elevation Certificates in Florida is priced by the work each site takes, not from a rate card. Send us the address and we'll quote it.
Get Your Elevation Quote Today
Ready to get started? Contact Apex Surveying & Mapping for a free quote. We typically respond within about an hour during business hours.
Licensed Professional Surveyor and Mapper | Serving Florida Statewide