When Do I Need To Have A Land Survey?
You should have a survey done under any of the following circumstances:
- Prior to purchasing land, to make sure of what you are buying, and for insurance purposes.
- Prior to installing a fence, building a house, or performing other types of construction including commercial construction staking.
- Prior to dividing a piece of land into smaller parcels.
- When you sell a parcel of land not previously surveyed.
- To verify the amount of land assessed for taxes.
- When you think a neighbor may have encroached on your property.
Why Should I Survey My Land?
Although a land survey may seem tedious and unnecessary, there are many cases in which a land survey can save you confusion or legal troubles later. Even if a prior survey is on file, any two surveys will nearly always have slight differences because land surveying is as much an art as a science, and because measurements are always subject to error. A skilled surveyor will keep such errors to a minimum but will allow for discrepancies between surveys, giving you a better overall understanding of your land. A land surveyor will research any documents available about your land, including titles and previous surveys. He/she will then physically measure the property, checking these dimensions against the previous records to find any discrepancies.
How Much Should A Survey Cost?
The cost of a survey depends on many factors, including:
- Type of survey required
- Existing terrain, site vegetation and land conditions
- Surveyor’s knowledge of the area
- Availability of record information
- Existing monumentation
- Liability incurred by Land Surveyor
While these variables will cause survey costs to vary, Black River Land Surveying Co. can provide an estimate before beginning the project. A well-prepared land survey will be the least expensive part of your total land investment cost.
What is the difference between a boundary survey and a topographic survey?
A boundary survey is used to determine the exact boundaries of a property by marking the corners and boundary lines. This type of survey is often required for property transactions and fence installations. A topographic survey, on the other hand, provides a three-dimensional map of the property showing all natural and man-made features including elevation changes. It’s crucial for architectural and engineering design projects.
Can a land survey affect my property taxes?
A land survey itself does not directly affect property taxes, but it can provide accurate information that may be used in property assessments. If a survey reveals that a property is larger or has more valuable features than previously recorded, it could potentially influence tax assessments.
How long does a survey usually take?
Black River Land Surveying Co. will begin the survey field work within 10 days after notice to proceed. We will provide the survey
within an appropriate and agreed upon timeframe.
What’s Your Fee Schedule?
A fifty percent retainer of the total estimate is due prior to the commencement of any work. Balance
due upon receipt of deliverables. Every project is unique – Contact Us to get a Quote.