Surveyor Referral

Would you buy a used car without a trusted mechanic giving it once-over? Then why would make the “once in a lifetime” purchase such as buying property without hiring the services of a professional land surveyor? The best way to find a qualified professional is to seek a surveyor referral.

Land surveyors are important can help you avoid lawsuits or unnecessary expenses relating to land ownership or a potential land purchase, whether you are selling your home, acquiring a new property, developing or subdividing your land, or simply constructing a fence around your piece of land. That’s because, the land surveyor will locate the boundaries of the property as described in your deed and will mark the property corners with physical monuments. This is crucial in sorting out any boundary line dispute that may arise. In case of encroachments, he will also be able to advise how to go about resolving the disputes.

So how do you choose a qualified and expert land surveyor? Can you be sure that the names you have listed from the yellow pages of your telephone book are a good selection? It is a good idea to go with a survey referral. Attorneys, engineers, architects, planners and environmental specialists are usually able to provide referrals to qualified land surveyors as they usually form part of a team that negotiates deals for developing complex properties. You could also visit your local chapter of Land Surveyors Association. The survey referral you get from these places will be good because the individuals giving them are most likely to have worked with them.

Alternately, you could check your social or professional network for anyone who has a good experience with a land surveyor. If a friend or family member is happy to recommend a surveyor, you can be sure that the person is coming with not only good credentials, but is someone who is dedicated to ensuring client satisfaction. That is always a plus point in this highly technical task about which you are not very knowledgeable, yet need to carry it out to avoid any future disputes.

Before selecting the land surveyor, ask for their past experience. Do not base your decision on price alone. It may not be a good indicator of the quality of work that will be done for you. Also make sure that he has factual knowledge of the city, county, state or federal laws and regulations, and that he follows a strong code of ethics.

Here is a quick list of services that a professional land surveyor will provide:

1. Study your property deed to check the boundaries of your land.

2. Point out any deviations that can adversely affect the boundaries of your property

3. Set physical monuments at your property corners and additional monuments for land development construction purposes (as per the specifications of your attorney, banker, realtor, engineer or architect)

4. Provide a map and a certificate of survey noting the findings of the survey

5. File the survey documents with the appropriate office or agency as required by law

6. Provide additional copies to other parties as specified.