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Why Are Boundary Surveys So Expensive ?

6/14/2011

12 Comments

 
PictureSteven Heise -PLS and Dustin Jones- LSIT,boundary survey in Santa Clara County, California
     This is one question I seem to be hearing more and more lately, “Why are boundary surveys so expensive?” Understandably, this is one of the more common questions and there are a number of reasons. In most cases the time spent "behind the scenes" acquiring record information, researching deeds and maps, compiling field and record evidence, calculations, drafting, and preparing reports and deed descriptions can far exceeds the time spent on the site making actual field measurements and finding monuments. Now, that being said, it is the responsibility of the Land Surveyor to find existing monuments and to make an exhaustive search to locate any known record monuments, before re-establishing boundary lines. The answer to boundary surveys seldom lie in the math, it is the Land Surveyors responsibility to resolve the boundary holding the intent of the original record that created the property. This ratio between time spent on the site and time spent on research, in the office and around the site varies depending on several factors. For example, a small lot with several abutting properties may require less field time to locate boundary evidence because of the relatively close proximity, but may require the same amount of off-site work as a much larger parcel, or vice versa.  It may take a day to find and locate field evidence, and 4-6 days of the "behind the scenes" work to complete the survey. There are countless legal and boundary principles to apply, verify and check before completing the survey.

     The cost of a boundary survey can depend on so many of the variables of the property being surveyed; size, shape, terrain, vegetation, and the amount of existing survey records in the area. The surveying process can be very similar to placing pieces in a puzzle. The first step in the process is to obtain copies of all the survey records and deeds in the area of your property. This can take several hours and depending on the age of the documents even days. The Land Surveyor is required to look at all adjoining properties, right-of-ways, and water boundaries, easements, street closures and dedications, to determine how your piece of the puzzle fits in with the adjoining pieces. Given a legal description of the property and all adjoining properties, the Land Surveyor locates the property on the ground. Once the fieldwork is completed, a Record of Survey Map is prepared that will be recorded at the County Surveyors Office. Each County Surveyors Office also requires a fee to record the survey. This fee is paid by the client directly to the County and is generally in addition to the fee for services charged by the Land Surveyor for his work.

     In most cases a Land Surveyor's hourly rates are at or below hourly rates of similar Professions and are more in line with that of tradesmen such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and auto mechanics, none of whom assume anywhere near the kind or amount of liability a Land Surveyor does. If a tradesman makes an error, he will likely be required to go back and fix the resulting problem. The resulting problem from a Land Surveyor's error may be a multi-million dollar commercial building being built in the wrong location, or a costly legal battle with an angry abutting property owner. Rarely can a Land Surveyor simply return and fix the problem resulting from an error. The Land Surveyor is a Licensed Professional and it is his responsibility to find the best resolution of the property boundary, which will hold up under the scrutiny of Law. After all property disputes are well documented throughout history and can easily be found or studied in Boundary Case Law.  Our courts decide countless boundaries annually. The role of the Land Surveyor is to Monument the legal boundary on the ground and through a recorded instrument, which justifies the procedures and principals used to support his findings.

     The cost of a boundary survey in California is a very small percentage when compared to the price of the land being surveyed. The liability assumed by the Land Surveyor is for that piece of real property.  So, when choosing your Land Surveyor please make sure that he is covered by a Professional Liability Insurance Policy and use the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board For Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists - License Look Up website to check his status, here is the link: http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/wllqryna$lcev2.startup?p_qte_code=ENG&p_qte_pgm_code=7500.

     It is my intention to help you understand the role of the California Licensed Professional Land Surveyor and the scope of services he provides.


12 Comments
Dustin Jones
7/1/2011 05:40:42 am

Very well written and informative.

Reply
Clark Stoner link
9/8/2011 06:02:31 am


Nice work. Way to spread the word.

Cheers.
Clark Stoner
Land Surveyor
Civil Engineer
Santa Cruz County

Reply
Oscar Patterson link
1/19/2013 10:58:39 pm

A surveyor must always begin a project with fairness in mind. Your consumer moreover as everyone party concerned within the project is expecting you to be truthful and with great care build the most effective attainable assessment with the evidences bimanual to you.

Before a project commences, the surveyor assigned to the project ought to act if there’s an opening of conflict of interest. this is often vital to preserve their relationship with the consumer. A surveyor ought to avoid skilled impropriety by declaring involvement or any previous affiliations with any of the concerned parties. it's additionally the surveyor’s responsibility to stay any info relating to the project moreover because the consumer confidential even when the project is completed.

Reply
hannah neilson link
4/30/2018 03:14:49 pm

I agree that you want to consider the cost of a land surveyor. It would be smart to consider this because it would ensure that they are qualified. My husband and I are looking for a land surveyor, so we'll have to consider the cost.

Reply
Jordan link
6/6/2018 01:42:08 pm

We've been looking for a few good surveying services, and I think that some tips would be nice. I'm glad you talked about how variables on the property can help change the price. I'm going to have to look for a few good surveying services and see what we can find!

Reply
Elsa Anderson link
6/7/2018 05:10:29 am

I never knew until you elaborated that boundary surveyors are responsible for making investigations, research and gather records of the actual measurement of the land you own, as well as knowing its previous owners. It makes sense because only then you can determine your actual territory to avoid future lawsuits of those who would contest your ownership. If I were to buy a piece of land, I will not make any hesitations to hire a boundary or land surveyor to do all the thorough checking for me.

Reply
Skyler Williams link
11/6/2019 07:24:22 am

Thank you for explaining that some of the factors that go into the cost of getting a survey are size, shape, terrain, vegetation, and the number of existing survey records in the area. My sister wants to build a warehouse on some land she wants to buy but she needs to get a survey first. I'll pass on this information to her so she can decide if she wants to get a survey.

Reply
Austin Saunders link
1/30/2020 08:15:37 am

It's good to know that the cost of a boundary survey depends largely on the size of the property. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to make sure that the fence she gets installed is installed right on the edge of her land. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for getting a property survey done.

Reply
Mike Sanders link
4/27/2020 07:34:21 am

It's good to know that the cost of a land survey can depend on things like the amount of vegetation. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to ensure that she knows where her land ends. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with land surveying.

Reply
Property Surveying Greensboro NC link
6/15/2020 10:35:17 pm

Great job for explaining why boundary surveys are expensive. We do property surveying in Greensboro NC, and surrounding areas. If you are in need of comprehensive surveying services, give us a call.

Reply
Property Surveying link
6/22/2020 07:20:26 pm

I agree with your statement. Our work is not easy, we have to make sure that our survey is correct to avoid future property disputes.
- Matthew Connors, Arlington Land Surveyors

Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
2/3/2021 03:07:23 am

One of my friends mentioned land surveying flyers around his area and it got me curious about them. I find it amazing that these experts check and ensure that every property is within their legal boundary by title using proper tools. I should probably hire one of these experts when I'm about to purchase my home in the future.

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    Steven Heise is a licensed California Professional Land Surveyor

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