Before the Anchor Bolts there was the Concrete Pour

Unless you look for it the level top of the concrete is gauged by small indicator stakes placed in the forms at the correct finished elevation.  The workers vibrate the fresh material so that it “seeks” its own level matching the stakes.  Before the pour, the stakes were set into place by the survey crew for accuracy.  The rest is just “pour, level and repeat”.  That’s why the top of the forms does not have to match the top of concrete.  Ever wonder?  Now you know.