Sadly, we only see about 25% of owners purchasing a survey when the buy their home. Why? Surveys can run about $500-700 and there is a long wait for them to come in before closing. However, I cannot underestimate how important getting a survey is! Not only does it show you the boundary of your property, where you can put a fence etc. but it also reveals easements and possible encroachments on yours and adjacent property. We had someone who was not able to build on their lot because of a 1957 sewer easement (too old to come up in the title search). We had another instance where the house was actually 25 fee over the property line into their neighbor’s yard! In the case of the sewer easement, had they gotten a survey prior to closing they could have cancelled the closing. Thankfully for the house in the neighbor’s yard the survey came back in plenty of time for a solution to be created by the closing attorney.
Here’s what the Professional Land Surveyors have to say about the cost of surveys:
Why Survey Costs Vary…
The Professional Land Surveyor’s fee will include the time to search for deeds or court records, locate the physical boundary evidence at the property, make the necessary computations to check the boundary, place appropriate
markers on the property, and prepare the survey map.
The cost of the survey will vary because of missing corner evidence, disputed boundary lines, rough terrain, heavy underbrush, poor land descriptions, and travel time to and from the property. Because of these variables, it is
difficult for the Professional Land Surveyor to predict an exact cost or when your survey may
be completed. Depending on the Professional Land Surveyor’s schedule and difficulty of work,
the cost and completion schedule may need to be negotiated with the surveyor.
Additional Information…
A survey is a highly technical and complex service utilizing the art of measuring, mathematics, and the proper
interpretation of real property law. A Title Insurance policy is generally issued when property is purchased. This
covers: the title of the property, protecting the owner; or the loan, protecting the lender, It can also cover the survey if specified. Discuss the provisions of the title insurance with your lawyer.
The Professional Land Surveyor can survey your land ONLY according to the deeds and other available information. The location of the boundary lines marked by the surveyor is ONLY a professional opinion based on the evidence found in the records and on the ground. However, the accuracy by which the Professional Land Surveyor
accomplishes this service is backed by his professional integrity.
In the case of litigation, the Professional Land Surveyor will appear in court as an expert witness. The surveyor’s testimony is accepted by the court as professional evidence. A seller, real estate agent or timber
cruiser may claim to know the boundary of a parcel. Accepting their representations is at best a gamble and at worst a pending lawsuit. Only a Professional Land Surveyor can provide reliable information about the
location of your property lines