Having your property lines accurately plotted can prevent neighbor disputes and other legal headaches later. Finding a surveyor that has the skills and experience you need is vital to avoid costly mistakes in the future.
Ask surveying companies for references from previous clients. This will give you an idea of how well they work with different types of properties.
1. License
The most important thing to ask is if the surveyor has a license. This will help ensure that they are a professional and have mastered the necessary skills to do their job well.
Many states have specific education requirements that need to be met before a person can become licensed as a land surveyor. This typically includes a college degree and an internship. Some states also require a written exam and an oral exam before a surveyor can be licensed.
Getting a survey from an unlicensed surveyor may save you some money upfront, but it could end up costing you more in the long run. This is because unlicensed surveyors may cut corners in order to save time and money, which can lead to incorrect results.
A licensed surveyor will make sure that the boundaries of your property are clearly established. This helps to minimize risk and disputes with neighbors and can even save you from having to pay for unforeseen construction costs. In addition, a surveyor can stake-out the location of proposed buildings or improvements on your property to be sure that you meet local setback requirements and zoning laws.
2. Experience
The more experienced a surveying firm is, the better service you can expect. Find out how long they’ve been in business and what kinds of projects they’ve worked on. It’s also important to know how much time it will take for them to complete your survey.
Different surveys require different methods and knowledge. Make sure the surveyor you choose has experience with your specific project type and industry. For instance, if you need an as-built survey to determine property lines for new construction, choose a firm that’s familiar with the latest technologies, like GPS, GIS, and laser scanning, which collect diverse spatial data for accurate design of construction plans.
A land surveyor should have extensive experience in determining property boundaries, mediating boundary disputes, and ensuring that construction projects comply with local regulations. They should also be able to provide you with a clear breakdown of their services, expected completion date, and cost. This will ensure that you don’t end up with any surprises down the road. A proactive approach to resolving discrepancies and open communication with clients are also important traits for a good surveyor, a trait possessed by the team at South West Surveys.
3. Equipment
As any professional knows, they’re only as good as their equipment. This is especially true for surveyors who rely on tools to accurately measure and map the environment around them. Surveying equipment ranges from ancient instruments like theodolites to modern GPS and 3D laser scanners. In addition to ensuring accurate measurements, the right equipment also helps streamline workflows for increased efficiency and cost effectiveness on the job.
When it comes to a land survey, it can be difficult to predict how long the project will take and what the results will look like. You want to hire a surveyor who provides clear and detailed estimates so you know what to expect before hiring them for the job.
A land survey is an important document that determines your property boundaries and dimensions. If you’re thinking about purchasing or building a new home, resolving boundary disputes, or planning construction work, a land survey is the best way to get accurate information. Asking surveyors about their experience, references, and insurance can help you find a reputable professional who will do the job right.
4. Insurance
Considering the vast amount of work required to accurately measure and outline property boundaries, pricing should not be the sole factor when choosing a land surveyor. It is important to talk about timelines and extra work contingencies with any potential surveyor before the project begins.
Depending on the type of survey, it may be necessary to bring in additional experts to perform fieldwork or research. This can increase the cost of the survey significantly.
Insurance is a crucial part of any business. It helps protect professionals from financial ruin when the unexpected happens. For example, if an uninsured surveyor accidentally makes a mistake that affects a client, they could be sued. However, insured surveyors know that mistakes are inevitable and don’t use them as a reason to charge more for their services.
Additionally, commercial auto insurance is a must for any surveying firm that utilizes company cars to transport employees to job sites. For instance, if one of your employees backs into a yellow van while traveling to a surveying site across town and causes damage, your commercial auto policy will provide financial protection.
5. Fees
The type of survey you require will dictate your budget. Look for a company with clear and transparent pricing. Find out if they have any hidden fees and how much they cost for things such as travel time, obtaining records, or meeting with experts to resolve complicated issues.
If you own a property, you need to know exactly what’s yours and what’s not. A property survey defines boundaries in an official, legal capacity and helps you avoid costly encroachments. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing that your real estate is properly defined and recorded.
Land surveying is an incredibly important service for both homeowners and developers. It’s crucial for construction or renovation projects, as well as resolving disputes over property lines. It’s even required for lenders’ title insurance policies. Moreover, the results of a property survey are permanent and can’t be changed – which is why it’s so important to choose the right surveyor to perform the work. Be sure to ask potential surveyors about their experience and how long they’ve been in business.
6. Referrals
If you are looking to build a structure on your property, or you are planning to purchase land, then you need a surveyor’s help. A property survey is a crucial step in determining your legal boundaries and avoiding disputes with neighbors later on.
To avoid a costly miscommunication, it is important that the surveyor you choose communicates openly and promptly with you about any potential delays or challenges that may arise. This will allow you to work around them and stay on schedule for the project.
It’s also worth asking how long they typically take to produce a survey. This will give you a good idea of how long it could be before your project begins, and whether their current workload might impact the delivery of your survey.
7. Training
When hiring a surveying firm, it’s important to understand your specific survey needs and to compare quotes. Be sure that each proposal includes all of the surveys you need for your project. This will help you save time and money by avoiding unnecessary or duplicate work.
It’s also a good idea to ask potential surveyors how long they expect their projects to take. This can vary based on the size of the project, the quality of the information available, weather conditions and other variables. Asking about their estimated timeline will allow you to determine if they are a good fit for your project.
Property surveys are a necessity for many homeowners, especially when purchasing real estate. They help define boundaries and can prevent costly fence or building encroachments. Having a professional perform these surveys is typically much cheaper than resolving property line disputes through litigation. Additionally, floodplain surveys are a common requirement for mortgage loan companies and can help home buyers avoid flooding issues. These types of surveys are typically performed by trained land surveyors who use their skills, education and specialized field equipment to create legally binding property surveys.
