3 pros!
Whether you're buying a new home, constructing a fence, or simply laying down some new grass seed, surveying your property is an essential step
Even if you're best buddies with your next-door neighbor, understanding who owns each patch of grass is far more important than it may seem. And while you can handle the measuring process yourself when tackling basic backyard landscaping projects, you'll need a pro by your side for nearly all other types of surveys. So, in short, yes, surveying your land is worth it and we'll outline when and why it's necessary as well as the average cost of a land survey project.
Top Reasons to Hire a Land Surveyor
You'll occasionally encounter a new project or big transition in life that requires the help of a licensed land surveyor. In some cases, a professional survey of your land is legally required. In others, it's simply helpful to pull off a project successfully.
The top reasons to hire a pro include:
1. Buying a new home or applying for a mortgage
2. Building a fence
3. Expanding the house
4. Breaking ground on new construction
5. DIY landscaping (though you may be able to survey your own land in this case)
Let's take a closer look at each scenario and how a land surveyor can lend a hand.
Buying a New Home and Applying for a Mortgage
The house itself often gets all the attention during a home purchase. But buying a property also means acquiring your own little—or big—plot of land. Banks typically require the buyer to bring in a professional land surveyor before the sale. In some cases, the seller takes on the costs, but this depends on your contract.
A land survey, in this case, is important to:
- Confirm the value of the home and property
- Ensure you or your future neighbor's fences are not creeping over the line
- Make sure your home's deed accounts for the right corners of your property
- Confirm your property shape for future fences or stone walls
You may also need a survey completed when refinancing your home, especially if you've made recent changes to the property.
Building a Fence
Fences are far more about logistics than marking your property these days. The right fence allows the kids to explore the yard or keeps the neighborhood dog from taking a dip in the pool.
Before you hammer the first spike into the ground, you'll likely need to get the construction approved with the help of a land surveyor. The process of marking your land ensures you don't invest in fence installation only to find out you've crossed over your neighbor's lawn. The same goes for a stone wall or large patio installation.
Expanding the House
Adding an extra bathroom or guest bedroom onto the side of your home could mean that your home now presses up against your property line. Your state may either require or suggest hiring a surveyor before breaking ground on a new addition to your home.
The process ensures that your neighbor doesn't try and file a lawsuit down the line if your guest room crosses into their vegetable garden. Topographic surveys can be particularly important here, especially if you need to alter the landscape or remove a tree to safely construct.
Breaking Ground on New Construction
The same process goes for breaking ground on brand new construction. Perhaps you purchased a new plot of land in Florida where the home still lives on paper. A surveyor will provide several surveying services such as topography, boundary marking, and staking before construction can begin.
DIY Landscaping
In all of the cases we've listed above, the town or state typically requires the confirmation of a licensed professional land surveyor. The only time to take surveying into your own hands is if you need to know the area of your lawn for a DIY landscape job. Buying seed, stone, or sod are the most typical occasions.
In this case, you'll need to find your property's original deed and buy some basic surveying tools—range poles, changing pins, and plumb bombs—to get started.
The Cost to Survey Your Land
A professional surveyor has the tools, training, and local knowledge to ensure you check all the right boxes and get your project moving forward in the right direction. That being said, expect the cost of a land survey to average around $510. Costs tend to break down by the size of your lawn, ranging between $0.50 to $0.70 per square foot or $50 and $500 per acre.
Cut costs by handling a bit of the legwork for your survey team whenever possible. If you have the deed and survey record in a safe place, excellent. But some older homes may require a trip to your county office to get a copy of the original.
Finding these details on your own means that your land surveyor spends less time chasing down important details, and thus lowering your estimate. When surveying your land on your own—for those DIY lawn projects mentioned above—expect to pay around $75 for supplies.
Finding a Great Professional Land Surveyor
A professional land surveyor should provide proof of their license either with a national or state organization, depending on your local laws. They should also hold professional liability insurance in the unfortunate event they get hurt while working on your property.
We recommend reaching out to at least three land surveyors in your area to obtain an estimate for the job. This allows you to compare offers, avoid possible scams, and ensure you're getting the best customer service.
However, you shouldn't always opt for the lowest quote. Choose the best local land surveyor near you who comes highly recommended. These experienced professionals provide the detailed work necessary for a smooth home buying, constructing, or fence design process.
And as it's now clear, there's no question that a land surveyor is worth the cost, especially when there are big life or landscape changes on the horizon.