Call in a licensed professional for a land survey
Land surveyors hold professional licenses, specialized degrees, and years of field experience, giving you accurate property measurements and boundary determinations for your project.
Typical costs range from $376 to $768 for a professional land survey, with your final price depending on property size and survey type.
Your surveyor retrieves property records, calculates boundary locations, visits your land with specialized equipment, and delivers a detailed drawing showing all findings from fieldwork.
Hiring a local land surveying professional keeps boundary disputes off your plate and provides the expertise needed for precise measurements and legal documentation.
Whether you have plans to install a new fence or buy a new home, a land survey may be on your radar. A land surveyor can perform a land survey to explain the boundaries and other features of your property. This guide will dive into how land surveys work and the benefits of hiring a professional.
Since land surveying is very technical, it’s important to hire a professional land surveyor to ensure the utmost accuracy. Call a local land surveyor—they’ll have the necessary licensing requirements in your state. In most cases, they’ll hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in geomatics, surveying, or a related field, have passed the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying exam, and have worked for at least four years under a licensed surveyor.
Depending on where you live, they must also complete continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses. The process of becoming a land surveyor is not easy and takes about eight or nine years. However, a land surveyor is a qualified professional with the analytical knowledge and experience to take precise measurements and pinpoint discrepancies between their measurements and current records. Plus, they know how to use survey equipment, software, and other specialized tools that lead to the most accurate reports.
In addition, land surveyors are up-to-date on property and easement laws, which are often complex and ever-evolving. Lastly, they can communicate well with other surveyors, government officials, and civil engineers if needed.
It may seem like a civil engineer can perform a land survey since they are qualified professionals with bachelor’s degrees and often a professional engineering license. But while they can design and oversee complex infrastructure projects, they’re not trained to complete land surveys. Civil engineers mostly work for consulting design firms, government agencies, and research and development entities.
Land surveyors, on the other hand, are often self-employed or work for private companies that offer surveying services for property owners, developers, and construction firms. They focus on mapping, determining boundaries, and construction layouts. Oftentimes, land surveyors work with civil engineers to help implement a variety of commercial or residential projects.
Unlike a plot plan, a land survey is a more detailed document. If you hire a land surveyor to perform a land survey on your property, here’s what you can expect:
Research: First, the surveyor will retrieve records from the recorder of deeds. This will help them establish the property’s location. Records often consist of subdivision plots or deeds.
Calculations: Next, they’ll calculate the locations of the corners of the property and the surrounding area. They’ll use the information they found in their research.
Field Work: Then, they’ll visit your property on their own or with other team members to survey the land. This is where they’ll use specialized equipment like metal detectors.
Drawing Creation: Finally, they’ll create a drawing of the property. It will include all of the results from their field work. You should receive it via email, often in PDF form.
Depending on the size of your property, the land surveying process may last a few days or even a few weeks.
The last thing you want is to end up in a boundary dispute with your neighbor. Having a land survey readily available can prevent the need for legal proceedings and preserve your relationship.
The buyer or seller may pay for the land survey, depending on who requests it. On average, a land survey costs between $376 and $768. Your exact land survey cost, however, will depend on a number of factors, such as your location, the size of your property, and the type of survey you order. A land survey and boundary survey, for example, have different costs. Other factors like the availability of parcel information, the time of year you request the job, and whether you need any special maps or other documentation will also play a role in what you pay for a land survey.
Land surveying requires a professional license as well as years of education and professional experience. For this reason, DIY is not an option if you’re in need of a land survey. However, before you hire a pro, it’s a good idea to do your due diligence. Ask for references and check their credentials.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf FloorsD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCOur homes curb appeal skyrocketed thanks to Custom Paint Jobs LLC s exterior painting.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCVisited my home for estimate same day that I called. Painted on Saturday. Great job. Good price!
Excellent experience with hiring Tether House to Mount our 77’ Samsung TV in our bedroom. Fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Tether HouseI had Window Depot USA of Central recommended from a friend and it was a great referral. From the first visit to the final install,my wife and I were very very satisfied. I was updated throughout the whole process. It was a pleasure doing business in a timely professional manner. We have...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioExcellent experience! Left my place looking great. Friendly customer service too. Would recommend!
First of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingManuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
They do three projects for me and it was all painting job. They were doing fine I had no complaints about the service and I plan to use them again in the future.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A land survey can determine your property’s borders and settle property disputes. Learn how much a land survey costs and what can affect the price.
Discover site preparation cost estimates, including average prices, cost factors, and tips to help homeowners budget for their next project.
Get transparent land appraisal cost info. Learn average prices, key cost factors, and tips to save on your next land appraisal.
Real estate transactions often require a survey, but who pays for it? Learn who pays for a land survey in most cases and some exceptions to the norm.
If you're selling or remodeling a home, land surveys are more common than you think. But, what is a land survey? Here's what to know about the process.
If you've just been told that you need a land survey to continue your project, what time of land survey do you really need? Here are eight main options.
