FAQ
Here are some common questions our clients ask, if you have a question not answered here use the "Contact Us" page and we would love to answer any questions you might have.
- Am I allowed to find my own property corners?
- Is my survey on file someplace?
- Why do I need a Land Survey?
- What documents should I have ready for the land Surveyor?
- I am building a fence, should I hire a Land Surveyor?
Q: Am I allowed to find my own property corners?
A: Legally, you must be licensed to establish a property line. In all States, the requirement of licensure to practice Surveying protects the public. If you determine your own property lines, for your own use, you take the risk of being wrong in your determination. If you then built something from your determinations, or findings, and were in error, your opinion would not even be admissible in court, due to the fact that you are not licensed to practice Surveying. If your neighbor had a Surveyor employed to determine the line(s) and you did it yourself, you are beginning by being wrong, having taken that risk. Is it worth it? You can decide that. Land usually costs a great deal of money. It does make sense to know where the property lines are.
Q: Is my survey on file someplace?
A: No, not necessarily. Across the U.S., laws, ordinances, customs and requirements differ on whether you have to file a "Survey". Often, "Subdivision Plats" which are prepared by Surveyors, are filed of record in the local Government Courthouse. Many people view these as a "Survey", because they can see their lot on it. If you can find record documentation to substantiate what you "own" compared to what is referred to on the "subdivision plat", it may help you determine what the "approximate" dimensions of a lot are. Keep in mind that these distances as shown are only approximate. The true distance of a lot line is that which is measured between the positions of original, undisturbed lot corners of the subdivision plat. The Land Surveyor is the one who determines these "positions", and determine whether they may be original, undisturbed positions.
Q: Why do I need a Land Survey?
A: To find out the boundaries, or features of your land. To build, to develop, to satisfy local code or building requirements. To find out whether you have encroachments on your land or not. To find out where the land is that you own. Hopefully, you are not like many that need a Land Survey because they "have to". This would be the case if they are disputing something with a neighbor, because one or both of them had gone on with building, developing, landscaping, fencing or using the land without knowing where the common boundary line is.
Q: What documents should I have ready for the land Surveyor?
A: Documents that will be helpful and a necessity to survey your property would include a Warranty or Quit Claim Deed, previous Survey or Plat of Survey prepared by another Land Surveyor, mortgage inspection certificate or any maps, drawings or sketches relative to your property will be useful to the Land Surveyor. Tax maps or abbreviated Legal descriptions sometimes contain errors on them and are not completely accurate, these might aid you somewhat but a Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed is preferred
Q: I am building a fence, should I hire a Land Surveyor?
A: Yes, building a fence is a large and expensive project and adds value to your property, although there may be an old fence already in place often times they were not placed there with the benefit of a Survey. We have witnessed land owners pulling a tape measure off of a neighbor’s fence, from the centerline of a street or from buildings. These are the main causes for expensive property line disputes and can cost you and your neighbor lots of time and money. It is best to hire a land surveyor to mark your property lines before you invest into a new fence