Get matched with top land surveyors in Horseheads, NY

Soil testers and licensed excavators are often the professionals you hire if you need a perc test. In some cases, structural engineers will also be able to conduct the test for you. In many municipalities, you’ll need your professional on-site to dig and fill the holes with water, as well as a representative from your local building department or health department. That representative is the individual who will determine whether your test passes or fails.

Several government-backed lending programs can help first-time home buyers purchase a home with little money down. FHA, USDA, and VA loans are options for qualifying borrowers, though many conventional mortgage lenders will lower down payment rates to as low as 3 percent.

To hire a land surveyor, you need to start by searching online for reputable professionals in your area. Here are a few steps to take when making a shortlist:

• Browse land surveyor service website

• Check credentials

• Read customer reviews

• Find their contact information

• Call or email to inquire about more information

• Ask how far they travel, if you’re some distance away

• Find out how they charge for their services

• Ask about schedule and turnaround times

• Repeat these steps for one to two other services and compare pricing

If you or your mortgage lender think your land survey needs to be more accurate, double-check the survey report and get at least a second opinion from the original surveyor and an inspector, if possible. Although it’s unlikely, even reputable surveying companies can make mistakes. An inaccurate survey can cause problems down the road in the case of any property line disputes, so it’s best to resolve any inaccuracies as quickly as possible.