
Just bought a plot of land and need to get it build-ready? Learn how much it costs to clear land in Chicago, IL, to gauge your initial budget before you break ground.
Land surveying costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Land surveying costs in Chicago, IL, range from $1,000 to $2,500 for a 1-acre property.
American Land Title Association (ALTA) surveys are the most expensive, up to six times as much as a standard boundary survey.
Per-acre prices are lower on larger properties, with a 50-acre survey costing $10,000 to $25,000.
Working with a local surveyor in Chicago, IL, ensures an accurate, compliant survey—these pros charge $85 to $175 per hour.
Considering the above-average cost of living in Chicago, IL, it’s no surprise that prices are higher when it comes to getting a land survey. Land surveying costs in Chicago, IL, average at $2,383, though your price can range between $829 and $5,698, depending on the size of the land, the type of survey, and your surveyor’s labor rates.
The most important cost factor of a land survey in Chicago, IL, is property size, though the survey type also plays a role.
The size of your property plays a big role in survey cost. Property that’s less than an acre can cost as little as $700 or less, while a one-acre survey will start at $1,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the survey and the terrain. Like most things, buying in bulk can help lower your rate. In most cases, the larger the property, the lower the price per acre. In both cases, the wide price range comes down to the size and terrain of the property.
| Property Size (Acres) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000–$2,500 |
| 5 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| 10 | $2,000–$6,500 |
| 25 | $5,500–$12,000 |
| 50 | $10,000–$25,000 |

There are different types of land surveys that differ based on the reason you need one. This reasoning can impact its price. Surveyors will charge more when additional land information beyond the standard for establishing property lines needs to be collected.
| Type of Survey | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Boundary | $600–$2,500 |
| Topographic | $2,000–$6,500 |
| Mortgage | $350–$1,200 |
| Fence Land | $500–$1,500 |
| As-Built | $1,600–$3,800 |
| ALTA | $3,000–$15,000 |
| New Construction | $1,800–$6,500 |
Hiring a professional surveying company in Chicago, IL, is essential. These pros use advanced survey technology and bring years of experience to the job, so you can be confident that your land survey or plot plan is accurate, legal, and will remain useful over the survey’s lifespan. In Chicago, IL, you can expect to pay a professional land surveyor between $85 and $175 per hour for their labor.
The other pros you hire will depend on the purpose of your land survey, whether it’s marking property lines, planning new construction, or installing a fence. These pros may include:
Real Estate Attorneys: If you’re getting a land survey for legal reasons, you’ll need to hire a real estate attorney for help. These pros can research the deed history of the property, help you deal with any property disputes, and support you in creating or interpreting easements and right-of-way agreements. In Chicago, IL, real estate attorneys charge $275 to $425 per hour.
General Contractors: If you’re getting a land survey to plan a new construction project on the property, it might be worth hiring a general contractor to consult during the survey process. These pros can help focus the survey area and reduce your overall costs. Chicago, IL, general contractors charge $50 to $150 per hour.
Land Clearing and Excavation Pros: Dense trees, undergrowth, or landscape features like large rocks can make it very difficult to accurately survey land. To ensure an accurate survey, you can hire a land clearing or excavation company for $110 to $250 per hour.
To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.
Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
I interviewed six different flooring companies, ABF was above and beyond the most knowledgeable. Great value and service.
Ibarra Landscape did an amazing job on my yard! Their team was professional, efficient, and clearly passionate about their work. From the initial consultation to the final touches, they paid close attention to every detail and made sure everything looked perfect.
Illinois Movers has an easy-to-use website. We could handle our booking, keep an eye on our shipment in real time, and get to important documents all from one place. This was great because it was easy and clear.
Water, Water, Water all over the place especially flooding my outside porch area leading to my front door. The water was accompanied by a low level pungent order. Being a DIY person, I sprang into action. Pulled out the auger and went to work. From a standing puddle to stinky waves was the...
Very detailed report. Explained areas mentioned in report. Examined every aspect of the house. Would hire again for another inspection
Working with Homewise Remodelers was an amazing experience from bid to finish. My wife and I had just bought a condo 4 months prior. We had bought it knowing that the kitchen and flooring needed to be remodeled. We had never gone through working with a general contractor before so we...
River falls did an excellent job for us. His team prepared the ground and layer the sod so efficiently I didn’t get to thank him, as I was on an errand! Just beautiful! It’s now two weeks later and it’s growing! Thank you, River Falls:-)
I have hired Mt. Greenwood landscaping to do all of my lawn and garden maintenance. Heâ s also planted trees for me. Always does an amazing job keeping everything healthy and looking great. Makes excellent recommendations on what I can do to keep my yard/lawn healthier. Will keep hiring.
Apex came to review the project and gave a price. Apex followed up with an appointment date. Arrived timely ,completed the work, cleaned up whatever debris. The price was reasonable. We plan on using them for other projects. No more shopping around taking pictures of contractors trucks...
Great communication all around! The main office called and said the crew (4) were running 15 minutes behind. Upon arrival, they surveyed the apartment and explained the costs. When the move was complete in 2.5 hours, I was pleased to see the total cost was less than what I signed for. They...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

Just bought a plot of land and need to get it build-ready? Learn how much it costs to clear land in Chicago, IL, to gauge your initial budget before you break ground.

Leveling your yard can help with drainage and prevent damage to your home. Learn the cost to level a yard in Chicago, IL, and what factors can affect the price.

Find out the average excavation cost in Chicago, IL. Learn what you can expect to pay for local site prep and earth-moving services for your next project.

Planning to build a fence or home addition? Learn about land surveying costs, property boundaries, and how to hire the right local pro for your project.

A land surveyor can perform a land survey and help clarify your property boundaries and features. Use this guide to find the right professional.

Not sure what kind of property survey you need? Learn about the differences between a land survey vs. a boundary survey to get started.