Land surveyors are a valuable asset to any construction or real estate endeavor. Their work helps resolve encroachment disputes between neighbors and can help buyers make informed decisions about property purchases.
A survey can also be required when refinancing a property. A detailed land survey can also help civil engineers prepare for construction and provide more accurate estimates of value. To learn more, check out Surveying Companies Utah today.
A boundary survey defines the legal property lines of a parcel of land. It helps prevent legal issues such as disputes and encroachments between neighbors. Surveyors use a combination of historical records, legal documents, field measurements, and modern surveying techniques to accurately delineate the boundaries.
The cost of a boundary survey depends on the size and reason for the survey, as well as the terrain, vegetation, and location. For example, a large and complex site may require more research and analysis, which increases the overall costs of the survey. Also, difficult to access properties with rugged or dense vegetation will add to the overall cost.
During the research phase, the surveyor will review local property records to acquire information on previous property ownership, deeds, and legal descriptions. They will also analyze aerial imagery and historical maps. This will help them to identify property boundaries and determine the locations of current and previous structures, roads, and waterways. Surveyors will then visit the property to evaluate natural and man-made features, including fences, buildings, roads, and other structures.
During the field work phase, the surveyor will mark all identified property corners and lines using flags and other markers. They will also take physical measurements and compare them with historical data to find any discrepancies. They will then create a detailed drawing with all the relevant information about the property’s borders, dimensions, and corners. They will also document any encroachments or boundary disputes and suggest ways to resolve them.
Subdivision Surveys
A subdivision survey is an official document separating one tract of land into multiple individual lots or parcels. This is typically done for property development purposes to create homes, roads, utilities, etc. Subdivision surveys are a critical part of the development process as they ensure compliance with local zoning ordinances and land use requirements. They also help prevent disputes between neighboring properties by clearly defining the new lot boundaries and ensuring compliance with any existing easements or rights-of-way.
While similar to boundary surveys, a subdivision survey is more extensive as it includes the retracement of the parent tract’s original survey and the creation of new land parcels. Subdivision surveys are also different in that they require monumentation of all exterior corners of the new lots. However, if the interior monuments would be likely to be destroyed during construction (grading, utility installation, etc), the surveyor may defer the monumentation for a later date.
The final document, called a plat of subdivision, is then submitted for approval to the town planning board and/or government agency. The surveyor will often assist with this approval process by preparing the plat, attending meetings and/or hearings and answering any questions or concerns the board may have.
A topographic survey is a detailed map/drawing of both overhead and underground service lines such as cables, pipes, ducts, manholes, poles, transformers, hydrants and more. These surveys are often required when changes are made to public or private utilities like water and sewer, electricity, telecommunications and more. They also help identify any wetlands within or surrounding the property as many wetlands are home to protected species and plants.
Topographic Surveys
A topographic survey measures the terrain of a property, outlining elevation and land forms. The data gathered in this type of survey is invaluable to civil engineers, architects and builders working on construction projects that need to account for the natural landscape of a site. This data is also helpful for determining the best placement of sewage, gas and electrical lines and other infrastructure.
When choosing a surveying company to perform your topographic survey, ask for the name of an experienced member of their team and what qualifications they hold. This will help you understand their knowledge and skills as well as how long they have been in the business and how their previous clients have benefited from their services.
Conducting a topographic survey can take days, weeks or even months to complete. During this time, surveyors will travel to the property and utilize satellite-based devices (like GPS or electronic distance measurement – EDM) to collect data. The data is then processed into a digital map of the property that shows ground heights and contours, water channels, buildings and structures, and tree and vegetation locations.
The resulting data is often displayed as contour lines, which are graphical representations of the points of equal elevation across a landscape. These contours can then be used to determine the natural features of a parcel of land such as valleys, hills, ridges and more. This information is helpful in determining how the terrain may change with the addition of new buildings, roads or other infrastructure.
The information gathered in a topographic survey is often tied into the standardised framework offered by a national grid mapping system. This ensures accuracy and consistency in the data gathered, making it easier to work with the information when carrying out planning or design processes for a project.
Lot Line Surveys
Property owners need a precise understanding of their land’s legal boundaries in order to build, expand, or add a structure. Moreover, many local regulations state how close buildings can be to lot lines, and how much space must exist between structures. Land surveyors conduct these types of surveys to ensure builders comply with zoning laws.
A property boundary survey determines a parcel’s perimeter and guarantees it coincides with its legal description. Sometimes, this type of survey is referred to as a mortgage or title survey because lending companies require it during the mortgage process. The survey also addresses encroachment concerns that might arise from building fences or other structures on a neighboring property.
This is a necessary survey for anyone purchasing real estate as it provides a clear understanding of what you’re buying. This eliminates confusion and gray areas from property ownership and helps resolve disagreements with neighbors. In addition, a land survey can prevent you from getting into financial trouble with your mortgage lender due to an inaccurate plot size on the deed.
These surveys begin with on-site measurements by surveyors who visit the location and measure the land. They’ll also analyze the terrain, including contour details and identify any encroachments. Once the data is collected, surveyors will enter it and carefully compare it with historical records. Then, they’ll re-visit the site and mark property corners to clearly define property boundaries. Land surveyors will also provide a comprehensive plan of the property that includes all findings and recommendations.
Building Surveys
A building survey is a detailed inspection of the property’s buildings and structures. This includes walls, floors, roofs, windows & doors, cellars and garages. These surveys provide information about the current state and worth of a property. They also highlight repairs, alterations and improvements that may be needed. They can be used to prepare a plan for new construction and are a vital tool for real estate transactions.
Building surveys can be conducted on either a whole property or on individual sections of the land. The cost of this type of survey depends on how large the area to be surveyed is, and how much detail is required. Ideally, a property owner will get a building survey prior to selling the property, or making any significant alterations to the structure. This will prevent legal disputes and ensure that the property is valued accurately.
Once the surveyor has completed their research and field work, they will create a map that combines all of this data. This CAD-drawn, survey-grade map is used for legal documentation purposes. They will then check the accuracy of their data and register it.
Land surveyors are employed by government agencies, architectural, engineering, mining and construction firms. They often collaborate with civil engineers to provide critical data and measurements, facilitating design and construction of infrastructure and projects. They are also responsible for resolving land disputes, and providing support in real estate transactions. A land survey can help individuals understand the boundaries, features and dimensions of their land, allowing them to make informed decisions about purchasing a property. It can also help them to identify any potential issues or encroachments, which they can then address before the problem escalates.