Get matched with top land surveyors in Newell, IA

Permit requirements to clear land vary by municipality, so whether or not you need permits depends on where you live and what you’re removing from the land. Some building departments will require permits for any underground work or excavation, meaning grinding down tree stumps on your property would require permits. Others mandate individual permits for each tree you remove. You can contact your local building department or a land-clearing specialist near you to see if permits are necessary for your job.

Land surveying can help give clear guidance on your property boundaries for numerous situations. And in some cases, having your land surveyed is a requirement. Some common reasons to have your land surveyed include:

• Planning for construction projects, like building a fence

• Locating utilities, such as plumbing fixtures

• Settling property line disputes 

• Creating subdivisions 

• Meeting mortgage requirements

• Selling your property

A land survey includes the layout of a single property, including precise measurements and to-scale drawings of boundary lines, land improvements, and sometimes other features, like topography and drainage information. A plat map includes the layouts and boundary lines of several adjacent plots and basic structure measurements. Surveys are normally more valuable for homeowners and buyers, and plat maps are for governmental use.

Measure from zero on a measuring tape by placing the metal hook right up against the edge of what you need to measure. You can also latch the hook onto an open edge—of, say, a table—to accurately measure as well. If you begin at the 1-inch mark, you'll need to subtract an inch from your total.