Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos
Land surveying, in summary, is the science and art of establishing or re-establishing property corners, property lines and/or boundaries. There could be different reasons why someone needs a lot surveyed.
The most common would be to determine if a piece of land is at risk of flooding, to subdivide a property to sell or deed to members of the family as well as to determine if there are any encroachments. This may happen if a neighbour disputes you are using a piece of his lot or viceversa (for more about this, check this page).
How much does land surveying cost?
If you have to have a piece of land surveyed, the first thing that will come to mind is “how much will it cost?”
There are several factors determining just how much land surveying on your land would cost. The fact that this kind of service has to be performed by a professional contributes a great deal to the overall cost of the service, but choosing a non-professional to survey your land is dangerous and probably illegal for the non-professional.
Because of this you really should to take a good look around before settling with a surveying company. If you must work within a particular budget, discuss this with the surveyor up-front.
Very often he may be able to offer cost saving steps to get the work you need done within these cost limits. The form of the land should also be considered.
A square or even a rectangle piece of land is somewhat easier to survey than an odd shaped parcel, or one with many different sides.
With the latter, the surveyor will need to take more time in surveying the curves as well as the bends meaning the cost of the service would increase. The overall measurements the land is also key factor here.
Keep in mind that the cost of land surveying will likely be proportionate to the time and effort that the land surveyor would spend on the project. If the land that you’re having surveyed isn’t accessible, or has thick vegetation, then the total price of the survey could go higher.
This is true of the climate conditions which could affect the work. Surveying in hot weather is somewhat slower to keep from putting the crew members in danger. Also, most surveying cannot be done during the rain.
When asking for a quote, bear in mind that surveyors base the estimate on expected conditions at the site. These conditions could change, leading to additional costs. Always inquire about these potential additional cost scenarios.
All that being said, competitive prices are also to be expected, and that’s why we recommend choosing a surveyor according to his experience and reputation rather than on the price he writes on a piece of paper.
Usually, it is better to invest a good amount of money on a survey that’s well-done rather than select a company with a very “affordable” price but have the survey repeated because the results were wrong
.In conclusion, it is best to discuss the expenses of the survey before you decide to ask the surveyor to begin his work. It’s also wise to obtain a contract that lets you know what is expected of the land surveyor. This is one of the most important steps in having your land surveyed.