What is Land Surveying?
One of the most common functions of the land surveyor is the procedure of locating positions on the ground that are indicated by words contained within a legal description attached to a deed. Often times the legal description refers to a map or plat that indicates the shape, dimensions, location, and relative size of a parcel. This service is generally provided to satisfy the request of a property owner to establish the boundaries of their parcel. Boundary determination and boundary creation are the two most common tasks that a land surveyor performs. However, in addition to the above stated, a licensed land survey is permitted by law to perform many other tasks related to real estate, some of which are listed under the Types of Surveys tab.
When would a land survey be valuable?
When purchasing property.
A buyer would benefit from a survey anytime a parcel of land is sold. Having the corners of a parcel marked on the ground prior to the completion of a real estate transaction enables the buyer to establish exactly what they are purchasing, as well as what they are not purchasing. If requested, a survey will reveal the proximity of structures such as buildings, fences, driveways, walkways, etc., and their physical relationship with the boundary lines and required setback lines of the parcel. The location of easements (the rights of others within the subject property) can also be identified on the ground.
When building a structure near a property line.
Any time a structure is built near a property line, it is wise for the property owner to know exactly where the limits of the parcel exist. No one intends to build improvements such as a patio, a driveway, a water well, or a septic tank on a neighbor’s property but it happens. This scenario seems unlikely but such issues do exist and become quite undesirable when the adjoining property owner lays claim to a new structure that you have built and paid for.
When it is required to build within a particular location or above a certain elevation.
At times, it is necessary for the property owner to know exactly where a particular location exists on their property. This may be due to a municipal requirement or an engineering plan’s designation. It may be necessary to build outside of an established set-back area, away from a public utility easement, out of the street right of way or proposed right of way, etc. It may also be required by the local municipality or F.E.M.A. to build above a certain elevation due to flood protection restrictions. A licensed land surveyor can identify on the ground and mark for the client exactly how high the finished floor elevation of a structure must be to satisfy the municipal requirement.
