There are many questions surrounding land surveying and its importance in the field of engineering. Civil engineers are in need of the professional work of land surveyors on a regular basis. When lines need to be drawn and precise access to be determined land surveyors are the professionals who are called upon. The job that land surveyors do is one of the most historically important positions to hold. Land lines and property boundaries are so important to our society, one based upon personal space and ownership.

What different types of land surveys are there?

This question is extremely important to when buying or selling a piece of property or home. Land boundaries are important to potential buyers. A survey of residential boundary will outline exactly where the property lines are from one corner of the property to another. This will give a general border outline for the buyer to follow. A survey of mortgage is used by lenders and professionals associated in the transaction end of a sale. This is important to determine if any improvement such as landscaping, swimming areas, driveways or such have actually encroached upon a neighbor’s yard. If this has happened it will delay the closing until rightful ownership can be determined and settled upon. A land survey is important if looking at property along a cliff or major hillside. A geological survey will help to determine the hazards associated with building in that area.

What does a land surveyor do?

It is important to note that land surveyors are professionals who need advanced education and experience to become licensed in state land surveying. A land survey engineer is the individual who actually stakes out the boundaries of property and addresses concerns within residential boundaries such as encroachment. Using historical property information and deeds, land surveyors, will map out the boundaries legally recording them for the future.

Land surveyors are extremely important when it comes to new construction, residential, commercial and industrial. Without them there would never be a clear definition of ownership which would lead to unnecessary issues between the owners of the land.

When is a land survey necessary?

In the sale of land it is recommended to always have a land survey done. This way the purchaser can know the exact amount of land being purchased and where the land is exactly. Imagine purchasing a piece of property to build a home upon and realizing once the sale is finished that the access way to your property was actually owned by another individual. Believe it or not this has happened. Never guess or assume when it comes to a purchase of this magnitude.

Another reason to do a land survey is during home improvements. It is important that homeowners respect the neighbor’s boundary lines. When it comes to adding a pool, a fire pit, deck or any improvement that moves close to another’s property have a land surveyor out to measure and ensure the improvement is not on their property. You don’t want to end up in Hatfield verse McCoy feud over a home improvement.

It is easy to see the value of land survey engineers. Simply stated they are the individuals that give legal rights to land ownership making sure what I claim to be mine is and what is your is yours saving years of feuding. Believe it or not this happened when we purchased our home. Many people had used the adjacent property as a park and entrance to the river our home sat on. After reviewing the historical records it was found that in fact the property went with the home and the owner let the community use it. With two small children that was not happening anymore and legally, thanks to our land surveyor, we could put an end to the trespassing. This actually made our neighbors love us that much more.