Land surveying is one of those things you never really think about until you need to. Even though the surveying and mapping industry in the US is worth about $6 billion, most people know very little about it, if anything at all. However, it’s necessary when it comes to determining property lines and features.
There are several types of land surveys going from ALTA to construction and site-planning. This means that the kind of survey you get will depend on your reason for getting one.
Let’s look at all the different scenarios where you might need land surveying services and which survey type you’re likely to get.
1. When Selling Property
If you have never sold a property before, then you may not know that having an up-to-date survey on your property is a requirement. There’s a very high chance that some buyers will ask for it because it will give them confidence in their purchase.
It’ll also verify the full size and extent of the property they’re about to purchase and help them avoid legal disputes regarding inadequate and inaccurate property descriptions.
2. When Purchasing Property
If you’re in the process of purchasing property, it’s vital for you to ask for a land survey as well.
Given that a home or a piece of land are some of the most considerable assets you may purchase in a lifetime, it’s imperative for you to know exactly what you’re getting. Ask for a survey map from a licensed land surveyor in your state because this document will help you figure out a few things.
Once a professional surveyor is contacted, they will perform research and prepare a map that will reveal the location of improvements like driveways, swimming pools, work ways, and fences. It’ll also reveal potential encroachments with neighbors and reveal if the legal description of the property is correct. Even more important than this is that it will reveal whether other people have the rights to the property through utilities or right of way.
It’s incredibly important for you to know the boundaries of the properties you’re purchasing. A land survey will help you reveal all encroachments and irregularities that could lead to legal disputes in the future.
3. You’re Building a Fence
If you are currently thinking about building a fence or a similar addition to your property, it’s an excellent time to hire professional land surveying services because you need to ensure you build everything on your own property. The problem with mislocated fences or anything else you’re building like a driveway or a carport is that it will cause legal problems with your neighbors and cost you tons of money to fix.
Before you embark on your building journey, it’s essential for you to hire licensed land surveying services. They will adequately determine your land boundaries.
The land surveyor will work with your contractor as well as the municipality to make sure any improvements you make on your property are constructed in the right location. This will eliminate conflicts due to improperly placed improvements.
4. When Refinancing or Getting a Mortgage
If you’re currently in the market for a mortgage, you may find that lenders require an up-to-date survey on the property before they approve the mortgage.
You may wonder why this is a necessity, but some lenders consider it so because it helps them protect their investment. They want to make sure that the properties they’re investing in correspond with all the documents associated with the property and the purchase is legitimate.
5. When Getting an Elevation Certificate
If you’re putting up a business or buying a home in a high-risk area, you find that your insurance agent will need to see an elevation certificate. This will help them determine the flood insurance premium that you should get.
It’s important for you to know the elevation of a building as well as the estimated height floodwaters reach in the area. It’ll help determine your flood risk and the costs of having flood risk insurance.
Different Types of Land Surveys
Now that you know some of the situations that would require having professional land surveying services. It’s important to know what kind of survey you need. Let’s look at a guide on seven different types of land surveys.
ALTA Surveys
ALTA stands for American Land Title Association, and it’s done during the purchase of a home. A title company may also ask you to provide an ALTA survey before giving you title insurance. It’s also the same type of land survey that you get for a mortgage.
Boundary Survey
A boundary survey is generally used to determine the location of all the corners and boundaries of a property. Boundary surveys could be used to locate easements or even settle legal disputes between two parties.
Location Surveys
Location surveys are not that different from boundary surveys, but they usually include site improvements. A location survey shows the size of improvements, the location, and the distance between the improvements and the property lines. As a property owner, you can also use a location survey to get zoning permits.
A Subdivision Survey
As the name suggests, a subdivision survey is used to divide a part of the land into multiple subdivisions. This is an important process, and the records should be filed with the land records at the recorder’s office.
Construction Survey
Construction surveys involve showing construction workers the distance between all the improvements and the property lines and exactly where to build to avoid conflicts.
Topographic Surveys
Topographic surveys are used to determine both human-made and natural features on a property. These features vary, and it could be anything from rivers to ponds, trees, ponds, buildings, utilities, and elevations. Topographic surveys are mostly used by architects or engineers when they’re planning on-site improvements.
Finding the Best Land Surveying Services
Now that you know in what situations you may need professional land surveying services, you’re in a better position to know what to do when these situations arise. There are numerous land survey experts, so you have to be vigilant when searching for the best one.
That said, if you’re currently looking for competent land survey professionals, please get in touch with us, and we’ll be glad to help.
