Pad Certification · Land Development
Pad Cert
for Land Dev
Log lot-by-lot pad elevations, drainage direction, and compaction data for rough grade sign-off. PE-ready pad certification reports for building permits — certify lots as they complete, not at the end.
What it does
Lot-by-lot pad elevation logging
- Design vs as-built pad elevation per lot
- Tolerance check: flag lots outside ±0.10 ft (configurable)
- Drainage direction verification — positive drainage confirmed
- Multiple elevation points per pad if needed
Compaction data per lot
- Nuclear gauge test results (dry density, moisture, % compaction)
- Proctor reference per soil type
- Pass/fail against required compaction percentage
- Compaction data included in pad cert report
PE-ready report output
- Lot table: lot number, design elevation, as-built elevation, deviation, drainage, compaction
- GPS coordinates per lot for location verification
- PDF formatted for PE sign-off and building department submittal
- Individual lot reports or combined subdivision report
Rolling certification workflow
- Certify lots as they complete — don't wait for the whole project
- Track lot status: shots logged, passed, certified
- Share individual lot reports for permit phase-by-phase
- All lots visible in one job dashboard
How it works
01
Set up the subdivision job
Create a job in Gradelog, enter design pad elevations from the approved grading plan, and configure the elevation tolerance and compaction requirement per your soils report.
02
Log shots as pads are graded
After each lot is rough graded, shoot and enter the as-built pad elevation. Log compaction test results from the nuclear gauge. Flag any lots that need rework.
03
Correct and re-certify lots
Lots outside tolerance get reworked and re-shot. The report shows the correction history. When a lot meets spec, it moves to certified status.
04
Share the pad cert for sign-off
Generate the Pad Certification report for the lot(s) ready for permit. Share with your PE for review and then with the building department. They approve — you pull the foundation permit.
Common questions
What is a pad certification and when is it required?
A pad certification (also called a rough grade certification or pad cert letter) is a document signed by the geotechnical engineer or civil engineer of record confirming that a building pad has been graded to the approved plan elevations and meets compaction requirements. Most jurisdictions require a pad cert before issuing a foundation permit. Gradelog's Pad Certification report compiles all field elevation shots and compaction test data so the PE can review and sign off efficiently.
What data does Gradelog collect for a land development pad cert?
For each lot, Gradelog records: lot number, design pad elevation, as-built pad elevation, elevation deviation, drainage direction (positive drainage verified), soil type and compaction percentage from nuclear gauge tests, and GPS coordinates. The report also includes the grading contractor name, date, and project information. This gives the PE everything they need for the certification letter.
How does the pad cert workflow work for a subdivision with many lots?
Gradelog lets you log pad elevation shots lot-by-lot as grading is completed across the subdivision. Each lot shows its status — shots logged, in tolerance, certified, or needs rework. You can generate individual lot reports or a combined pad cert for multiple lots. This rolling certification approach lets you submit lots for permit as they complete instead of waiting for the entire subdivision to finish.
Can I share the pad cert report directly with the building department?
Yes. Gradelog generates a shareable link for each pad cert. Share it with your PE for review and then with the building department for permit approval. The PE can review the full shot data and compaction results, download the PDF, and approve or reject — no Gradelog account required. Their approval is timestamped in your job record.