If you’re buying property, planning a construction project, or resolving a boundary dispute, you’ll likely need to hire a land surveyor. Understanding what surveyors do and what the process involves can help you prepare and make the most of their services.

What Does a Land Surveyor Do?

A land surveyor is a licensed professional who measures and maps your property’s exact boundaries, physical features, and legal characteristics. They use specialized equipment and technical expertise to create an accurate representation of your land that holds up legally.

The Survey Process: What to Expect

Initial consultation and research. Your surveyor will start by asking about your specific needs—whether you’re building a fence, adding a structure, refinancing, or settling a dispute. They’ll then research your property’s history, examining deeds, plats, and previous surveys from county records. This research phase happens before they ever set foot on your property.

Field work and measurements. The surveyor and their crew will visit your property with equipment like GPS units, total stations, and measuring tools. They’ll locate existing monuments or markers (often iron pins or concrete markers set by previous surveyors), measure distances and angles, and note features like buildings, fences, driveways, and trees. Depending on your property’s size and complexity, this might take a few hours or several days.

Preparing for the visit. Clear access to your property boundaries helps surveyors work efficiently. Let them know about any aggressive pets, and be aware they may need to enter neighboring properties to complete accurate measurements. Mark any underground utilities if you know their locations.

Processing and documentation. After fieldwork, the surveyor processes measurements and creates a detailed map or plat showing your property boundaries, dimensions, structures, easements, and any encroachments. This document becomes an official legal record.

Timeline and costs. Most residential surveys take one to three weeks from start to finish, though complex properties may take longer. Costs typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on property size, terrain difficulty, research complexity, and survey type.

Types of Surveys

Different situations require different survey types. A boundary survey establishes property lines. A topographic survey maps elevations and contours for construction planning. ALTA surveys provide comprehensive detail for commercial transactions. Your surveyor will recommend the appropriate type for your needs.

Questions to Ask

Before hiring a surveyor, confirm they’re licensed in your state, ask for references, get a written estimate, and clarify what’s included. Find out how long the survey will take and what format you’ll receive the final documents in.

Final Thoughts

A professional land survey provides peace of mind and legal protection. While it requires an investment of time and money, accurate boundary information prevents costly disputes and problems down the road. Choose a licensed, experienced surveyor and communicate your needs clearly to ensure you get the right survey for your situation.