There's a good chance that at some point in your life, you've come across the property surveyor. They're typically the ones who stand at the intersection of the roads, holding what seems like a tripod hanging flags on the ground. But, do you know the definition of a property surveyor and their duties? Here is a helpful guide to answer the most frequently asked questions regarding property surveyors.



Who is a Property Surveyor?

A property surveyor, also called a boundary surveyor or land surveyor, is someone who is able to take exact measurements on a piece of land in order to establish the boundaries of a property. It is used to define boundaries when new land parcels are being constructed or to confirm boundaries that have already been established.

What Does a Property Surveyor Do?

A property surveyor takes measurements, then record his findings and checks whether the information for a particular parcel of land. Sometimes, the land could be empty, while there are times when a house or structure could be on the property. After that, the surveyor must create maps, plots, and reports for each type of survey requested. Surveys that are commonly prepared include border survey, mortgage survey, topographic survey, new construction survey, fence survey, plot survey, survey as-built, or stacking site survey.

But before a surveyor sets out on a property, using their equipment for surveying, they'll conduct research. They'll look into the history of the property and study the land record, including survey records and title deeds. They can also conduct the title search to determine whether there are any differences in the ownership.

Who Needs a Property Survey?

Any property owner can have it examined. But, the majority of people can employ a surveying company when buying a house, building a house, adding an extension, or installing something like a fence or a swimming pool. The majority of mortgage and title firms will need a copy of a survey prior to closing on a property; however, it's not mandatory everywhere.

Is a Property Survey Important?

Absolutely! If someone is purchasing or building a home or has a dispute with their neighbor, a survey is essential. Along with displaying the boundaries of their property, it'll show easements, private and public roads, and other things.

In addition, it can determine whether there are any encroachments to a property, and a title company won't provide title insurance before they verify that there aren't any encroachments to the property.

It's not uncommon for homeowners with large land areas to purposefully or unintentionally extend their fences to the neighbor's property. This is also true when planting trees or the addition of movable structures such as the swing set or storage shed.

How Much Does a Property Survey Cost?

The cost of a survey is different and is contingent on a number of aspects, such as the amount of property to be examined as well as the location, how challenging the task will be, and the kind of survey requested. It is also contingent on the firm that is hired to complete the task, and the cost for a survey is $350-$650 for a single-family residence.

Who is the one who pays the cost of the inspection? Typically, the property owner pays for the survey unless it's a real estate transaction. In that case, the buyer of the house would pay the survey at the time of closing.