EL SEGUNDO, CA-Environmental Due Diligence firm Partner Engineering and Science Inc. has acquired Continental Surveying, a Cleveland-based company that provides American Land Title Association (ALTA) Surveys across the continental US for use in commercial real estate transactions. Partner president Joseph Derhake, says that the acquisition of Continental strengthens Partner's existing Survey Services unit, which is headed by Partner principal Arcie Propster.

“We have grown exponentially over the past three years with much of the emphasis on our environmental site assessment, remediation and building sciences practices,” says Derhake. “The addition of Continental is a much-needed extension of our growth as more and more lenders are requiring ALTA surveys for the sale or refinancing of commercial real estate." Derhake adds that Continental's extensive network of surveyors "adds tremendously to the depth and breadth of our practice and enhances our ability to provide professional and personalized service anywhere in the country.”

Continental Surveying president James Davenport will join Partner as a principal. Davenport is a licensed surveyor with 20 years of experience performing and supervising survey work across the country.

The ALTA Survey is a detailed map of the land showing all existing improvements of the property, utilities, and significant observations within the insured estate. The survey details the surveyor's findings concerning the property boundaries and how it relates to title.

The survey also delineates or makes note of all easements and exceptions cited within the title commitment for insurance of the secured party. The survey may also show zoning and flood zone restrictions or areas indicating potential future use of the property. The ALTA survey is a combination of a boundary survey, title survey, and a location survey.