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How much will a survey cost?

The surveyor’s cost estimate will be based on the anticipated difficulty and estimated time needed to complete the project. Fees can be estimated, but the surveyor cannot predict the amount of work required to recover the necessary evidence. The amount of time required to obtain field measurements and make boundary determinations depends on the availability and proximity of the discovered evidence. The surveyor will be able to provide you with a cost estimate based upon an hourly rate, experience with similar jobs, and a general knowledge of the area, but actual costs may not be known until the project is partially completed.

What can I do to reduce the cost of my survey?

Any documents you may have regarding the ownership of your land can be very helpful in the preparation of your survey. This would include a title insurance policy or commitment, a previous survey of any type, or any other relevant documents you may have. If you are aware of any property corner monuments near the survey, let the surveyor know of their existence and, if possible, make the monuments apparent by placing something more visible around them, such as a piece of cloth or plastic flagging.

What type of survey do I need to build a fence?

Since a fence is a relatively permanent structure, you will want to be sure of the location of your property lines before construction. Although some public agencies will issue a building permit (if required) upon presentation of an Improvement Location Certificate, it should not be relied upon for the establishment of any permanent structure. The prudent course of action is to locate existing property corners that delineate your property line and have the validity of the monuments verified by a surveyor. If you are not able to find your property comers, ask for the assistance of a surveyor. He may be able to find monuments using a magnetic locator and cloth tape. If the surveyor is not able to locate existing monuments, you may need to have a monumented land survey performed and possibly a land survey plat prepared.

What type of survey do I need to plan a building addition?

Along with the information required to build a fence, the location of any existing structures may be helpful. This information would be provided on an improvement survey plat. If new improvements are significant, the preparation of a topographic plat may help to determine a finished floor elevation that will allow for both drainage and a pleasing appearance. After the preparation of construction plans, a surveyor can stake the proposed building corners to ensure that the information is transferred accurately to the ground and to ultimate construction.

How do I order a survey?

An Improvement Location Certificate is typically ordered by your lender or your title insurance company. For other types of surveys, you can call a surveyor and explain your needs. In some cases, an appointment may be made to discuss any documents you may have (title commitment, legal descriptions, old surveys, etc.). A work order should be prepared describing the work to be performed. Any specific needs you may have, such as completion date or special requests, should be incorporated into the work order. The work order can also include an estimated cost, and should include an hourly rate schedule.

What qualities should I look for in a surveying company?

Choosing a surveyor who is familiar with your locality is very important. In many cases, a local surveyor may have performed work in the area which will provide information not available through other sources. The surveyor should be able to provide you with a list of clients for whom similar work has been performed to allow you to check references.

Why is the survey I recently had performed different from an old survey?

Discrepancies between surveys are usually attributable to two reasons. The first reason is that measurement, by its nature, is subject to error. A person can count one hundred beans and get the same number as someone else counting one hundred beans. However, if two people each measure a cup of beans, it is likely that they will have different numbers of beans. Two surveyors measuring the same line may obtain different values. Both of the values should be similar, but they will only approach the true theoretical value through repetition and statistical analysis. The second reason is that measurements are made from, and decisions are based on, found evidence. Surveys performed at different times may not have the same evidence available. The more recent survey may have the benefit of monuments set after the prior survey, and previously existing monuments used for the prior survey may have been obliterated. As the available evidence changes, the ultimate determinations of the property line will also change.