George A. Shimp II & Associates, Inc. has been providing professional surveying services around the state of Florida since 1974. The company, based in Palm Harbor, handles projects ranging from residential work to commercial developments. Using the latest technology in surveying, Shimp crews work fast and produce accurate surveys and reports to their clients, earning their place as one of the best in their industry.
One relationship that has blossomed over more than two decades is Shimp and Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. It was the early 2000s when Shimp became the trusted surveying partner for this Habitat affiliate when it was only serving Pinellas County. As the organization expanded into West Pasco and then Hernando, Shimp has remained a constant in the day-to-day operations of building Habitat homes in the area.
This August, Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside will celebrate the completion of its 1,000th home built in the community. Shimp & Associates, a small team of seven employees, has been part of over 800 of those home builds through the services they offer.
“We leave spaces open on our schedule to be available for Habitat,” said Meagan Attebery, a Professional Surveyor and Mapper for Shimp. “We love the mission and the fact that we have been working with Habitat since the early 2000s speaks to our desire to be involved as much as we can to help Habitat build more homes for more families.”
“Habitat cannot do the work that we do without community partners helping us to build homes for deserving families,” said Mike Sutton, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. “Having a partner like Shimp has allowed us to grow and serve more families. The Shimp team has provided their expertise and services to Habitat at a discounted rate for many years, and we are so thankful to them for all they do for us.”
Shimp surveyors are involved in the Habitat home build process from the time Habitat acquires land, right up to the day a family earns the keys to the new home constructed on that property.
“It all starts with us doing as much research and pulling as much information as we can on any particular property,” said Meagan. “That includes everything from the deed, street views, aerial views, flood assessment – it’s a lot.”
Depending on the size of the property will determine how long the Shimp team needs with their robotic tools to collect information on elevations and other land factors – this process is called platting. All this information is then formulated and sent to Habitat’s architect for blueprints for the home. On a development like our Longlake Preserve townhome community in Largo, Shimp had to work on the 5.5-acre parcel and broke it into 54 lots.
“Every day is different with all the work Habitat is doing in the community,” said Meagan. “With Longlake we take the land and have to do the corners for all 54 home sites. And we will set the corners for the new project for Habitat on Wyatt Street (behind Longlake).”
That project will result in roughly 100 more townhomes, creating an even larger neighborhood next to Longlake Preserve.
Whether it’s a single-family home or a townhome site, Shimp is then involved on every level of construction to survey for the driveway, garage and first floor, second floor (if needed).
The Shimp team not only loves the mission and work of Habitat, but the people involved as well.
“Your team is always so nice and understanding, which is refreshing,” Meagan explained. “No matter who we speak with there is always a level of appreciation and we are grateful to have this working relationship with the Habitat team.”
When the process is finally done, Shimp team members are sure to attend home dedication celebrations and see the finished product with a family walking through their front door for the first time.
“To see a property go from overgrown and so much work to be done, to a family standing on the front porch of their new home is so inspiring and we love being part of this work in our community,” said Meagan. “It’s the best feeling to know you helped have an impact on these family’s lives.”
Shimp II & Associates have been part of over 800 Habitat home builds in our area. And they plan on supporting the Habitat mission for many more years to come.
