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A survey is usually needed when the title to land is being transferred. It is used to depict in picture form, the shape of your boundary. It includes accurate information about the dimensions of your lines with a description of each corner to be found there. It also shows the accurate area of the boundary usually in acres or sometimes in square feet. The plat will also show any encroachments that may be present.

Before developing a tract of land into a subdivision, a survey is required. Many county ordinances require that the boundary of the subdivision be surveyed & divided by a professional land surveyor. Then submitted to the local planning commission for approval. (Check with your local planning commission for their subdivision requirements). These requirements may be a few simple procedures or may include having to get a boundary survey, topographical survey, road design & layout, a soil & erosion control plan. In many instances, the process can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months before final approval. When planning a subdivision, the surveyor takes into consideration the topography of the land to best lay out the lots or tracts. The developer also helps in this aspect to relay what he or she is looking for in their design such as using existing features of the land or tree lines, interior fence lines, etc.

When a property owner has a question as to where the property line is located in relation to where a neighbor is erecting a fence, building or cutting trees/timber is another reason to acquire the services of a professional land surveyor. He will determine the location of the property line in relation to the possible encroachment of the neighbor. If the neighbor disagrees with the findings of the surveyor, there may be a possibility that the neighbor may want to challenge this. If so, this will more than likely be heard in court. The surveyor will appear in court, as an expert witness on your behalf to answer any questions that may arise.

In many instances, a surveyor becomes a mediator between property owners, when a disputed property line is involved. I've seen that most disputes are the product of misunderstanding of each owner. One may or may not know where the property line is and sometimes "innocently" starting a dispute with the neighbor by saying the wrong thing. The human being is very "protective" of their items of ownership. Probably the top of the list is their real estate or property.

The cost of a survey varies from one type of survey to another and from one area to another. The fees charged by a land surveyor is based upon the amount of time spent doing the required records searching, office time, field crew time, etc.