Surveys completed by licensed surveyors can be recorded with a local surveying records office, and in most cases, they will be. Filing survey reports categorize them as legal documents, and they can be used whenever legal documentation of your property’s boundaries is needed. While you’re not required to file survey documents, it’s a good idea to do so.
Land surveys don’t technically expire. They do serve as a point of reference and a snapshot of your property, though, so as soon as you make changes to your property (and even if your neighbor makes certain changes to theirs), your existing land survey becomes inaccurate, and a new one must be done. Even if you don’t make any changes to your property, many states only guarantee the accuracy of a land survey for five to ten years.
This is fairly rare, but sometimes the local government or a group like a historical society will label a tree as a landmark, or historical item. These designations almost always come with a small, on-site plaque for identification, but you should also be able to look up protected trees in your area on a city website or similar list. If the tree in question is a landmark, call your local government and ask how to proceed before making any plans.
A few different types of land surveys can help determine certain features and boundaries of your property. These include:
Boundary surveys describe the actual borders of a property. These are generally required when trying to get construction permits issued.
Location surveys provide much of the same information as a boundary survey but also include in-depth information about any improvements made to your property.
Mortgage location surveys are usually required by lenders and title companies before financing or offering an insurance policy.
Site-planning surveys are done before applying for building permits and can be issued before any major home improvements.
Topographic surveys provide a formal map of land elevations. It can also describe the location and size of natural features and any land improvements.
Land surveying costs about $530 for the average homeowner. However, your total cost could range anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more. Factors like the size of your property play a significant role in what you pay, but other things like the survey type and the time of year can also impact the final cost.
For example, if you’re looking for a simple boundary survey, you can expect to pay between $100 and $600. However, if you want a more in-depth survey that depicts the elevations of your hills and trees, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,200 for a topographic survey.
The Polo, IL homeowners’ guide to land surveying services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Find out how much an elevation certificate costs, including average prices, cost factors, and tips to save money when hiring a surveyor for your property.
Boundary surveys and topographic surveys provide important information about a property. Learn the differences between boundary and topographic surveys.
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