Frequently Asked Questions
Since a person may require the services of a Professional Land Surveyor only once during their lifetime,
this information has been prepared to answer a few commonly asked questions to assist in the selection of a Land Surveyor.
In general, a survey should be made before:
purchasing real property,
when dividing any parcel of land for sale,
and prior to the construction of any improvements or additions.
The services of a Land Surveyor today will cost less in time, worry, and money
than the cost of moving improvements or defending a lawsuit later!
Will a Land Surveyor tell me what I own?
No
It is your responsibility to furnish the Surveyor with a legal description, current title report, or policy concerning the parcel that you want surveyed. The Surveyor will then locate the property on the ground, and provide you with a record of survey map showing the results of the survey.
Will I be shown if there are any encroachments on the property?
Yes
If you instruct the Land Surveyor to show encroachments in the area of concern to you.
Will I be shown if there are any easements on my property?
Yes
If you instruct the Surveyor to do so and provide a current title report or title policy. The Surveyor will supply a map, plat, or exhibit showing this information.
How will I be shown what has been surveyed?
Corners of the property will be marked with stakes, pipes, or other such monuments with the Land Surveyor’s license number indicated thereon. The corners on the parcel will be pointed out to you, if requested. If any new monuments are set as a part of the survey a Record of Survey or Corner Record will be filed, indicating dimensions of property lines, monuments, and other relative data as required by the Land Surveyors Act, the client, or others.
Why are there conflicting boundary and easement lines?
It is often true that boundary disputes and overlaps are a result of legal descriptions which were originally written and recorded without the benefit of the services of a Professional Land Surveyor. It is important to have these lines properly described and surveyed, if necessary, when property or easement lines are created or changed.
How Much Will a Survey Cost?
The cost for most land surveying work is determined, based on the following variables:
Record Search
This varies by (a) the number of parcels involved and (b) the number of past transactions. This necessary step is complicated by the casual manner in which land transactions have been handled in the past, resulting in many vague, incomplete, and often contradictory legal descriptions and land records.
Size and Shape of Property
An irregularly shaped parcel has more corners to monument and a longer boundary than a rectangular parcel containing the same area.
Sectional Survey Work
This could require the survey of an entire section (640 acres +) in which the land being surveyed lies, regardless of the area of the parcel. In some cases, a survey of more than one section is required, depending on the location of the parcel in question in relation to the sections shown on the government plat.
Terrain & Vegetation
A level parcel of land is easier to survey than a mountainous parcel. Interference with lines of sight and accessibility complicate field work.
Amount of Existing Evidence on the Property
Existing evidence such as iron, wood, or stone monuments, old fences, and occupation lines, witness trees, etc., aid the Surveyor. Their absence may compound difficulties involved in retracing boundaries.
Local Knowledge of Property
Someone pointing out accepted occupation lines and monumentation is a considerable aid to the Surveyor.
Abutter Difficulties
When neighbors are cooperative, an otherwise difficult or impossible boundary line location may be established by boundary line agreement.
Time of Year
In the summer, foliage may present problems making survey measurements difficult. In winter, weather may slow travel to and onsite, and sometimes conceal field evidence.
Title Company & Public Agency
Requirements Title companies may require considerably more documentation than is normally required by the average land owner.
Record of Survey or Corner Record
This map or record is often required by state law, to protect the general public, if matters addressed by the Land Surveyors Act are encountered while surveying your property. This will cause the mapping costs to increase, and requires the payment of checking and recording fees.
The above information was published in the brochure “How to Consult a Land Surveyor” published by the
California Land Surveyors Association
The California Land Surveyors Association is dedicated to promoting the highest possible
standards of professional practices in the public’s interest.