If you’ve recently had to put a construction project on hold, you may find that not everyone is on the same page when things start again. Getting a new survey can help ensure that everyone knows exactly where each structure should go.
While you may be tempted to perform your own property survey as a do-it-yourself project, only a licensed surveyor can set boundary markers that carry legal weight. Anything else can cause problems.
The main purpose of a boundary survey is to determine the exact markings of a piece of property. This typically includes looking at evidence such as physical monuments, recorded deeds, and plats for reference.
Even if you're planning to continue planting trees on part of a property, it's important to complete a survey on the existing trees. Some older trees can stop a sapling trees roots from getting the sustenance it needs to thrive.
Around 1770, David Rittenhouse invented the first vernier compass, a unique American surveying innovation. Designed to find true north and compensate for magnetic variance, it allowed early surveyors to survey large tracts of rugged land with greater speed and accuracy.
Historically, the word “acre” referred to the portion of a field that could be plowed in a day. Over time, therefore, the word was used to describe a specific area of land and as a common term referring to any field.
Unfortunately, not all neighbors will always respect the boundaries of your property. When you need irrefutable proof that your neighbor is encroaching on your land, getting a professional land survey done can help with your case.
Unless you're in a desert, you'll need to consider where you'll put drainage ditches on most properties. By completing a topographic survey, we can help you determine which parts of the property are best suited for this.
A land surveyor is able to lay out streets, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers within a subdivision. He or she is also equipped to provide topographic surveys, supply control for aerial photography, layout construction surveys, and right-of-way surveys.
Did you know the US Department of Ag’s definition of a farm is any place of 10 or more acres that sold $50 or more of agricultural products during a census year, or one of fewer than 10 acres that sold $250 of product in a year?
Although having flood insurance can provide the valuable protection that people in flood-ravaged areas need most, you may find that your insurance company won’t even consider selling it to you. Let’s talk about how getting a land survey could help prove that your home is within the flood zone, so that you can purchase the insurance you need.
The Egyptians are credited with creating the earliest land surveying instruments. Simple and often crudely made, these early tools were nonetheless effective and included the plumb bob, the plumb board, the plumb square, and the A- and T-levels.
A tool which surveyors heavily rely on to for direction is the compass. Goldsmith Chandlee, one of the most renowned clock and instrument makers during the 18th century, made the most technically advanced compasses during his time.
Sometimes the flood zone and base flood elevation, as well as the current elevation of a home, can affect flood insurance rates. Surveying can provide an elevation certificate to determine these insurance rates.
While unproven, some historians believe that Stonehenge could have been constructed with the use of peg and rope geometry survey techniques. If so, Stonehenge – constructed around 2500 B.C.E. – could be an example of early survey practices.
Although Captain James Cook is most well known for his voyages "into every ocean," he was also one of the first land surveyors. In fact, Captain Cook used a number of early surveying tools (including station flags, a Theodolite, and even a brass telescopic) to cross both the Arctic and Antarctic seas.
Always check your property tax statement when it arrives to make sure you are only paying taxes on the land you own. If you think there is a discrepancy, the findings of a licensed surveyor will help you resolve the dispute.
If you are planning to develop a commercial or residential site, you’ll need to invest in a topographical survey. This type of land survey measures the elevation points of the property and tracks all other relevant physical features.
In 12th century England, the modern measurement unit we know as the foot was officially defined. Because the rod was the established unit for land surveying, the length remained unchanged, but the term was redefined as equivalent to 16.5 of the newly defined feet.
In order to remove a building code violation you may need architect or surveyor documentation and representation at a required hearing. These professionals provide proof of correction or certification of the issue in question.
We will require some basic information before we begin a project. The most important data you can provide is the Parcel Identification Number (PIN) found on the property tax statement and a deed reference to a recorded plat.
A property survey that is done each time new construction, buying, or selling takes places and shows building restrictions, if the existing house matches previous surveys, and additions not built to code or reported to government agencies.
There is some debate as to the origin of the word "Theodolite," which is the name for the portable surveying instrument. The most plausible argument is that the first part of the word “theo” is a misspelling of the Greek stem “thea-,” which means “sight” or “observe.”
Land surveyors performed an invaluable role in medieval England. They functioned as land managers, legal arbiters, and record-keepers, maintaining official records of land ownership and tenancy along with tract boundaries, land value, property use, and agricultural production.
Did you know that George Washington, the leader of the Colonial Army and first president, began his career as a land surveyor? He started out when he was only 16 years old and remained within the trade for several years.
One factor that affects the cost of a land survey is the type of survey it is. Each type requires a different scope. Also, land surveys often require a records search on a parcel of land. This step can sometimes be complicated, which may affect the cost.
What is the name of the chain which was frequently used to conduct surveys in the 1600s? Gunter’s chain. The chain was created by Edmund Gunter, and each chain contained 100 links with each link measuring 7.92 inches long.
The American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors have strict, uniform requirements nationwide and are often required by lenders, especially for commercial property.
Have you always thought it would be nice to have your extended family live nearby on property? By surveying out the land you plan to gift them, you can create clear cut property divisions that will be useful at property tax time.
If you're considering buying a piece of land that has trees, you may wish to have a tree location survey done. Not only will you know how many trees you'll have to work around, you can also discover which may be worth keeping as part of your design.
Mt. Rushmore is known for many things, including the fact that of the four presidents depicted, three of them (Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln) worked as land surveyors at some point during their early careers.
Today’s land surveyors have access to some of the world's most sophisticated equipment. From earth and air mapping scanners to GPS technology and Theodolites (Total Robotic Stations), land surveyors are able to measure, map, and photograph any landscape with pinpoint accuracy.
Besides the determining boundaries and planning for new building projects, surveying can provide zoning and building code documentation, elevation certificates for insurance agencies, and many other services.
Before you erect a fence around your new property, you want to make sure it will be built on your property and not on your neighbor's. The boundary line certification will also tell you whether the legal description of your property is accurate.
We recognize how trying a property line dispute with a neighbor can be. If it looks like the case may go to court, having a qualified land surveyor and a new survey on your side could give your case the boost it needs.
In the Roman religion, Terminus was the god who protected boundary makers. In fact, landowners celebrated a festival called “the Terminalia” in Terminus’ honor every year on February 23.
Did you know that today's land surveyors have access to tools such as global positioning systems (GPS)? Land surveying tools and techniques have advanced and the role of land surveyors is much broader now than it was in the past.
One of the primary reasons for needing a professional land survey is if you are buying or selling land and you do not clearly know where the property line is on the ground. This may also be the case if that particular piece of land isn’t clearly defined by a plat, legal description, or older land survey.
Surveying has become more accurate through the years. We will conduct a new survey to check the validity of older ones; if discrepancies are found, the records can be updated for future use.
When taking out title insurance, a survey may be needed before it can be issued in order to protect the interests of all involved. If your title company requires one, we will conduct the survey according to their demands.
In the 1600s, boundary markers in the United States were commonly made with piles of stones or wooden stakes. Unfortunately, many of these boundary markers decayed over a period of time – which eventually sometimes led to property disputes.
If you will be subdividing property for housing or neighborhood development, having the site surveyed will prevent location problems that will violate zoning regulations, such as building proximity.
Early land surveyors often worked with very primitive methods to define land and anticipate events like the annual flooding of the Nile. Chains were used, as were steel bands, rope, stones, and other primitive means. Measurements resulting from such methods were often less than precise and even harder to record.
The most common modern surveying instrument is the total station – a theodolite combined with an electronic device for measuring distance. Modern total stations are fully robotic, can connect to GPS, and can email data to the surveyor's office computers.
A lender requires a land survey before issuing a mortgage. The licensed surveyor examines the plot of land, notes encroachments made by neighbors, and examines easements, their legal terms and location.
Did you know that land surveying is considered both an art and a science? This refers to the process of establishing corners, lines, boundaries, and monuments on a property. This is typically based on recorded documents, historical evidence, and present standards of practice.
Ancient Egyptian land surveying tools proved so effective, the basic components remained unchanged for more than 4,000 years. While the plumb bob evolved from a found object into an egg-shaped stone and then a cast metal weight, the basic concept remained consistent.
While the site map for new construction should be accurate, quality issues can pop up during construction. If you don't think you've been given all the land you were entitled to, let us do a survey to find out.
It’s important to remember that hiring an architect as soon as you purchase a new piece of land may be premature. Unless you also have a current land survey for them to reference, you may need to have a new survey performed before they can get to work.
A thorough physical inspection is required of a land appraisal and survey. This includes understanding of the terrain, fencing, water sites, range condition, soil quality, improvements, and access.
Once land is surveyed, three approaches comprise the appraisal: Income Capitalization Approach, Cost Approach, and Sales Approach. This allows a report to be more easily defended in court, and withstand the scrutiny of any regulatory agency.
For new construction, particularly for commercial or industrial development, a land survey can determine if your plans will meet any setback requirements as established by state or local zoning laws.
Once land is surveyed, three approaches comprise the appraisal: Income Capitalization Approach, Cost Approach, and Sales Approach. This allows a report to be more easily defended in court, and withstand the scrutiny of any regulatory agency.
A land surveyor's job is to appraise an area of land in order to authorize the precise site of elevations, lines and outlines for the intention of construction, cartography and other achievements. Land surveyors take on legal accountability for the work that is completed.
Getting a survey is an important first step to any construction project. Whether you’re ready to get started right away, or you’re still in the early stages of planning, it’s smart to get your land survey right away, so that there won’t be any delays when you’re ready.
For new construction, particularly for commercial or industrial development, a land survey can determine if your plans will meet any setback requirements as established by state or local zoning laws.
Once land is surveyed, three approaches comprise the appraisal: Income Capitalization Approach, Cost Approach, and Sales Approach. This allows a report to be more easily defended in court, and withstand the scrutiny of any regulatory agency.
When it comes to land surveying, there are basically two types of maps that can be drawn up. Boundary surveys focus primarily on the exact parameters of the property, whereas topographic maps detail the dimensions of the landscape itself.
One of the best-known land surveyors in history was Napoleon Bonaparte. His enthusiasm and accuracy with land surveying, as well as a passion to take over the world, ensured that he always had precise maps drawn to scale.
A land surveyor's job is to appraise an area of land in order to authorize the precise site of elevations, lines and outlines for the intention of construction, cartography and other achievements. Land surveyors take on legal accountability for the work that is completed.
Getting a survey is an important first step to any construction project. Whether you’re ready to get started right away, or you’re still in the early stages of planning, it’s smart to get your land survey right away, so that there won’t be any delays when you’re ready.
For new construction, particularly for commercial or industrial development, a land survey can determine if your plans will meet any setback requirements as established by state or local zoning laws.
