Surveying For Fence Construction

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fence line survey - lot surveyIn a recent article “A lot on the line with a new fence,” the writer mentioned one of the sayings that I always think of regarding fences:

“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”

Know Where Your Property Line is Located

A large portion of the calls I get are from homeowners wanting to know where their property line is to build a fence, or check whether their neighbor’s fence, or other improvement, is over the line. Knowing where your property lines are on your property is one of the most important things to know when planning for a fence.

While most fence contractors will require you to have a surveyor come out and mark the property lines before they start, some contractors will try to do this themselves. Skipping this step can cost you more than the fence cost. Even though the article writer (no name given) said that “hopefully, you won’t have to hire a surveyor” you should heed my advice on this one, get a surveyor to find and mark your corners.

Fences Usually Cost More Than a Survey

The writer also said that “a full survey could cost more than the fence.” From my experience, a fence can run anywhere from $10/linear foot for chainlink, to $20/linear foot for a wood privacy fence, or higher for more elaborate or ornate fences. Most lot line surveys, for less than an acre lot, will run anywhere from $400 to $600. In my area, I see them normally at about $500 max if the pins are still in. You’d have to have a pretty short cheap fence to cost less than a survey. AND, who wants to move the fence when you find the corners your contractor marked are wrong.

Surveying Cost Savings

If you want to save some money, do the research for the surveyor before you call to get a price. You should get a copy of your deed, scan it to PDF of take a legible photo of it. And, if you live in a subdivision, get a copy of the subdivision plat that is recorded in the Probate Office. Sometimes you can get the Probate office to email this to you. You should send all of your research to the surveyor.

I want to add that a “good fence” is built along the property line. THAT will make good neighbors. Sometimes it has to be 14 feet high, barbed and electric. If you need to know where your property lines are located for a fence or for any reason, call a land surveyor.

To talk about your fence construction job, call Dallas Land Surveying at (214) 396-0266 today.

What You Need to Know About Land Surveying

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What is Land Surveying?

 

Land surveying is the art and science of accurately measuring parcels of land. Measurements such as dimensions, lengths, boundary lines, including structures within the area are all precisely determined through a land survey.

These measurements are used to establish land maps, boundaries for ownership or for governmental purposes. It is a detailed study of every physical and cultural property of the land, whether above or beneath it, to illustrate it in usable form.

Data is gathered through observations, research, field measurements, and data analysis for establishing property boundaries. Records from previous surveys and government records will strengthen the reports made after the survey.

What covers land surveying?

A land survey is classified according to the purpose or why the survey is being performed. Some of the common types of land survey are boundary surveys, topographic surveys, partition or subdivision surveys, flood elevation survey, property line adjustment survey, and extended title insurance coverage survey.

Other services such as mapping, construction layout surveys, judicial surveys, registered land surveys are all part of land surveying. It is an essential element in every development of the environment especially in the fields of construction, transport, communication, mapping, and most especially in the definition of legal boundaries for ownership.

The key component in the field of land surveying is the land surveyor. A land surveyor is a person that takes charge of every activity that transpires during a land survey.

It is the surveyor who makes the research and data gathering and even interpretation and analysis of all data wherein translation of all data gathered is crucial and should be checked, attested, and sworn in the law to be true and correct.

It is important then for you to choose a land surveyor with the highest degree of expertise and who can assume responsibility for the complex tasks at hand. It should be emphasized that only a surveyor who has knowledge of the elements of geometry, trigonometry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and the law are expected to have the best land survey outcomes.

Land surveying – dated back in history

Land surveying is a profession as old as the Egyptian times yet its importance to the human race still lives on. It is the best method to settle disputes over land ownership, it gives a clear picture of what buildings are suited to be constructed in a given land area, and it’s a convenient way to determine the exact dimensions of real estate to be purchased or sold.

Optimum potential of the land you own can only be defined once you have a land survey. Whether you are planning to put it on the market, or should you want to use it for commercial purposes, a land survey must back you up if ever questions regarding everything about the land arise.

Land surveying will provide a sense of security and peace of mind to every land owner and even to the future buyers.

Land surveying will always be an integral part in protecting real estate and upholding of laws governing the utilization and distribution of your land assets.

 

Why You SHOULD Have a Land Survey Completed Before Purchasing Land?

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Buying land, whether commercial or residential, is always an expensive endeavor, even if prices have eased somewhat lately. This is why finding a piece of land that you like and making an offer for it without conducting a land survey on the area is possibly the biggest mistake that you can make.

Here’s why it’s very important that you have land surveying done first:

Land surveyors can determine if you’re actually getting what you’re going to pay for. This means find out whether the sidewalks, trees, driveways and even the bird bath is part of the property you’re about to buy. Land surveying would also determine whether the neighbors are encroaching into the property, which would then mean you’re going to have problems in the future with your neighbors.

Land SurveyHiring a land surveyor doesn’t only mean they determine what you’re getting or not getting – land surveyors are the experts, and they can help with building regulations, wetland regulations, etc. Take note that these regulations can change anytime, but land surveyors should be updated on these regulations, or they will refer you to someone who is.

What if the current landowner (the one selling the land) can provide you with old land survey documents? You should still hire your own land surveyor to see if the boundary monuments are still in place. Also, land surveying done a few years back may not show recent changes to the land. If the existing survey is older than about ten years, you should get a whole new survey. Technology and surveying standards are both a lot better now and should provide you more confidence in the survey work.

Second, that survey was completed for that owner. He may have instructed the surveyor not to show certain things on the drawing. At least have a land surveyor go out and review the parcel with this survey in hand. We have seen numerous cases where a new land survey would save the buyer thousands so don’t become a victim.

I’ve heard a lot of people say hiring a land surveyor is nothing but unnecessary expense. I’ll tell you what’s unnecessary: the stress caused by paying thousands of dollars for something and ending up not getting what you were expecting. If you are smart, you’d hire a certified land surveyor before making any land purchases.