How Do Land Surveys Work?
Are you interested in getting your property surveyed? Do you want to know what a land survey does? When buying or selling a home, you might be advised to have a land survey carried out.
But what is a land survey, and why is the survey of property necessary?
Upon entering a real estate transaction, the most common form of a property survey is a mortgage plot plan.
When getting mortgage financing, one of the lender requirements you’re using will have is to get the property surveyed. The purpose is to ensure that the home and any other improvements such as a pool, tennis court, garage, shed, or other structures are within the property’s four corners.
The surveyor will also determine if the home meets the city or town’s approved zoning laws.
They will also check that the house meets the front and sideline setbacks from the street and neighbors. Property surveying is a business with constant demand. They are a vital part of most real estate transactions.
Let’s take a look at what happens during property surveying and why you might need one, either as a homeowner or home buyer. By the time you’re done, you have everything you need to know about land surveys.
What is a Land Survey?
A land survey is a document that shows exactly where the lot lines of a property are located geographically. A property survey will also show the location and dimensions of any structures or other improvements located on the land.
There are multiple methods of surveying land based on the shape and size of the property as well as the legal description. A licensed land surveyor carries out land surveys. Within the industry, it is referred to as land surveying.
A licensed surveyor will use land surveying equipment as a routine part of conducting their work. Locating monuments will be one aspect of a professional land surveyor’s job.
If you are wondering how to find your property lines, a land survey will be an immense help. Locating property boundaries is one of the most common reasons and land survey company is hired.
What is a Topographic Survey?
A topographic survey is quite different from a boundary survey where property lines are being located. Topographical surveys are a type of survey that details the height, size, depth, and location of any natural or manufactured features on a parcel of land.
The changes and contours of the subject piece of land will also be detailed in the survey plan. These types of surveys are often used for construction projects, such as a subdivision survey for a home builder.
They will often show the natural features of the land at present through survey data. The properties features of how the subdivision plans will change things will also be detailed.
Of the different types of land surveys, this one is necessary when constructing a subdivision to determine the proper height and location of roads, drainage, and other permanent monuments. A construction surveyor who specializes in this type of survey is typically employed.
Without a topographic survey, it would be impossible for builders to develop land for building new construction homes. Home buyers also rely on these surveys to ensure a minimum standard is followed. They essentially detail a property’s features.
What Are Cadastral Surveys?
A cadastral survey creates, defines, and re-establish the boundaries and subdivisions of the public lands in the US. Cadastral comes from cadastre, which means a public record, survey, or map of the value and ownership of land as the basis for taxation.
A cadastral surveyor is required to apply both the spatial-measurement principles of traditional surveying and the legal principles such as respect of neighboring titles. The titles are considered legal documents that are used to determine legal boundaries.
Do You Need a Property Survey?
Land surveys are used to define the boundaries of a plot of land correctly. Using survey data will ensure you know where your property begins and ends. It can help in neighbor disputes where there is disagreement over boundaries, ending difficult arguments. Believe it or not, property disputes with boundary issues are quite common.
If you are buying a home, it will clearly show what you are actually purchasing. Mapping helps define what is part of the property and what isn’t without relying on the seller’s word. Almost always, mortgage lenders or title companies will require a land survey to complete the purchase.
These mortgage plot plans done by the lending institution will detail the property corners, the plot size, and land boundaries.
The lender will be the one that hires the county surveyor. The cost of such a land survey is born by the buyers and is part of a buyer’s closing costs when purchasing a home. The fieldwork will be conducted before a mortgage commitment will be granted.
Land Surveyors Show Up Unannounced When Selling a Home
One of the interesting parts of land surveys conducted by banks is that they will almost always show up at the property unannounced. Unlike a home appraisal, where an appointment is made, with a survey, more often than not, a property surveyor will just show up.
Sometimes the property surveyor will be polite enough to knock on the door and let the property owner know what they are doing. In my thirty-four years in the business, however, it is more likely they won’t.
Over the years, I have gotten numerous phone calls from home sellers asking me why someone is at their property. It is almost always the surveyor showing up to do their thing.
If you wonder whether the buyer’s lender can use the survey the homeowner had done when they purchased, the answer is no. The lender will have no idea if there were improvements made to the property since then or if the other surveyor did their job properly.
Lenders almost always hire their own property surveying company.
The Difference Between a Plot Plan and a Survey of Land
It is essential to understand that there is a significant difference between what is referred to as a tape survey vs. a mortgage plot plan. The words plot plan and land survey are often used interchangeably but shouldn’t be as they have different meanings—kind of like there being a difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor.
A plot plan is far less accurate and not as detailed as a survey of the land.
Land surveys and plot plans are both done by a land surveyor.
There Are Different Types of Property Surveys
There are a few different types of property surveying beyond simple land surveys. Surveying property can be done for all of the following variety of reasons:
- Floodplain surveys reveal lower-lying areas that could be at risk. If your home needs flood insurance, it can be costly.
- Mortgage plot plan surveys that show the boundaries for land that is going to be mortgaged.
- As-built surveys show where improvements, like driveways and septic systems, can be built.
- Topographic surveys reveal the elevation of the plot of land.
- Monumentation surveys show where fences or walls can be constructed on boundaries.
Video: How a Land Survey Works
See an explanation in video format on some of the key things you need to know about land surveys.
Reasons Why You Need Your Property Surveyed
There are some common reasons why a property surveyor is employed. If you have concerns about any of the following, perhaps a land survey could help.
Finding The Boundaries of The Property
Perhaps the most common reason for having a survey is to define the boundary of a property. This could be because the owner wants to construct a fence or building, and they want to be certain they are correctly positioning it on their land.
One sure-fire way of angering your neighbor is to construct a fence that takes some of their land or what they believe to be part of their land. Whether you are in the wrong or right, having a survey carried out first will make sure disputes don’t escalate.
As mentioned previously, a property line survey is quite common. It is a good idea to have one done when you have no idea where your property’s boundaries are located. A little due diligence is smart, especially when buying or selling a house.
Overlapping Claims
A property survey should indicate that there isn’t a discrepancy between your land border and that claimed by a neighbor. This can also be important when your land is next to the highway, where the survey should certify your boundary line.
Right of Way
If part of your property blocks your neighbor’s access to the street, they are likely to have the right of way to cross your land. The surveyed land should clear up any concerns you might have about this.
Party Walls and Shared Driveways
If you share a driveway or wall with your neighbor, there could be certain obligations that you are required to follow. This could be something like maintaining your property sufficiently to support your neighbor’s property.
If you don’t stick to these obligations, you could face legal action. Working as a real estate agent, I am often asked how common driveways work. Hiring a land surveyor can sometimes clear up any disputes neighbors may have.
Improvement Violations By The Neighbor
If a previous owner of your home has made improvements, are they violating the law or local restrictions? A survey can ensure that the improvement doesn’t breach height, dimension, or building line restrictions. You may be wondering how your neighbor could break the law without being caught?
Unfortunately, some people try to beat the system and not pull building permits when required. Sometimes zoning violations do not show up until years later.
Potential Zoning Issues
A land survey will check the property’s zoning classification to make sure you are using it by following these restrictions. Land surveys are often used to determine zoning violations.
Items Hidden Underground With Land Surveys
Are you concerned that there could be underground pipes or cables that you don’t know about? A land survey should let you know about these hidden underground risks so that you know to avoid them when having some construction work done.
Utility companies often have easements or right of use over your property to access and maintain whether they are for power, gas, etc. Additionally, you may need to find out the exact location of said utilities if you are going to do any construction or excavation.
One of the many reasons why you might want a property survey is to see what, if anything is underground.Click To TweetBodies of Water
If you have a pond, well, creek, or river on your property, this will be documented in the survey of your land. These items will be shown on a topographic survey as well. They can be especially vital when there are property rights involved or a flood zone involved.
A Cemetery
Has someone told you that your home is built on an old cemetery? A detailed land survey will check this out for you.
How to Hire a Property Surveyor?
If you wonder where to get an up-to-date survey of your land, it will entail hiring a land surveyor. When you have decided you need your property surveying, a search online should help.
You can check with the surveying society in your state for professional and qualified surveyors. If you’re selling a home, you can ask your title company or your real estate agent if they have any recommendations for you.
Another excellent way to find a surveyor is to use Google as a tool. Search for land surveyors near me, property surveyors near me, or land survey companies near me. You should see the results of land surveying companies close to your home.
When you find a land surveyor, check that they are licensed in the state to operate. If you’ve found them through their society website, they should be, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check.
What Does a Land Survey Cost?
One of the most common questions is how much does a land survey cost. The land survey cost will vary depending on what exactly it is you need to be surveyed. Here are some of the most common surveys and a ballpark estimate of what they cost.
Mortgage Survey When Buying a House
A mortgage plot plan to identify the boundary lines in a home purchase is around $500. The cost of this kind of survey can vary from state to state.
Land Survey For New Construction
If you are getting a land loan to purchase a piece of property or take out a construction loan, the lender will probably require a land survey. You can expect to pay somewhere between one thousand and two thousand dollars.
Depending on how complex the land purchase is, there could be the need for boundary, topography, and staking services.
As-Built Survey Cost
An as-built survey will run approximately $700-1300. A land surveyor will measure the exterior and interior of the structure and create a three-dimensional representation.
The surveyor will use lasers to carry out their work. Doing so is more accurate than using plans or blueprints.
Survey For a Fence Installation
Another common question is what is the cost of a land survey for a fence. One of the more popular land surveys is for a fence installation. The costs generally range anywhere from $300 to $1000, depending on the lot size.
Accurate measurements are needed for fence installation, and unfortunately, many homeowners wing it when it comes to fences. This often leads to boundary disputes. A location survey can often correct any issues.
A Boundary Survey
A boundary survey tends to range from between $350 and $700, though this depends on your location and can vary greatly. A survey for a mortgage is typically going to be around $500.
If you need your property surveyor to go into great detail and further check the property’s history, you can expect to pay more. Researching public records will be part of what drives up the cost.
ALTA Home Survey
An ALTA home survey is one of the most detailed. It is performed following the standards set by the American Land Title Association. The cost generally ranges from $2000-$3000 to have an ALTA survey done.
ALTA land surveys are usually performed when you’re purchasing a commercial property, although it is possible it could be done with a residential purchase as well. Mortgage companies or banks might require this kind of survey because it can catch potential risks or issues that might otherwise change the transaction’s details.
You should now have a much better understanding of how much a land survey costs.
How Important is a Property Survey?
A property survey will officially define the property lines. It provides an official document that can end disputes and be used by lenders for the title insurance policy, among other things.
If you have contractors construct a home improvement for you, surveys are frequently needed before permits will be granted. Even if you have an old survey report, this may not be good enough.
How to Become a Land Surveyor?
Are you wondering how to be a land surveyor? In order to become a land surveyor, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree. Besides having a degree, you will also need to have a surveyor’s license. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, so you would need to check in your location.
In order to become licensed, you’ll need to pass two exams and have experience in the field, which is typically four years. A surveyor licensing course focuses on geography and physics. The non-surveying requirements include courses in calculus and physics. The surveyor exams are administered by the National Council for Examiners of Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
Training also includes computer-aided design (CAD) programs, along with work in the field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the mean annual salary for surveyors was $63,420 as of 2019.
Final Thoughts Getting a Land Property Survey
A property survey is a vital part of most real estate transactions where there is mortgage financing involved.
You don’t necessarily need to have a survey of the property carried out before you buy a house. It will be up to your lender. However, you should be ready for the potential extra expenses that you might need to pay out should your lender or title company need a land survey.
If you have accurate dimensions of your land professionally documented by a surveyor, it can help you in many ways. It can stop neighbor disputes in their tracks and prevent legal action from being taken against you.
Surveys of land are an essential part of most real estate transactions. You now should have a much better understanding of what land surveying is and how it can be beneficial.
About the author: The above Real Estate information about what is a property survey was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 34+ years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
This is some really good information about land surveys. It is good to know that you will want to consider using one to find out where you can put fences. That is great to know because my sister and her husband want to purchase some farmland. They will need to get good fences that will keep the goats and cows they want to get on their property.
Thank you Bill, for your extensive post and knowledge on land surveys. It all depends on where you are in the country as well. Some properties may have certain easements, underground tanks, or issues that only pop up in their areas so this covers quite a bit. And while not every buyer needs one, as a commercial agent my investors and developers rely on them to protect them in the future. Thanks!
Thanks for the compliments Ellen. A land survey is certainly an integral part of the home buying and selling process.