Land Surveying Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

· 3 min read
Land Surveying Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

Are you considering having a land survey done on your own property? There are lots of survey related misconceptions that can steer you the wrong way. This is actually the truth about 7 common surveying myths:

Land surveys aren't necessary when you can discover the survey stakes - If you find the survey stakes from a previous survey, all you know is that there was a previous surveyor who determined that this location was on the edge of the property. The land surveyor you hire can tell you if what you've found is actually your property line; you might be surprised to discover that in many cases, what you think is a surveying monument may not be it at all. Plus, your findings won't endure in court, but an authorized land surveyor's would.

It is very rare for a neighbor to encroach over a house line - You shouldn't be so sure that you aren't encroaching onto property that legally belongs to your neighbor, or that they aren't technically on your property. Land surveyors see these kind of issues all of the time. Hiring a land surveyor to mark the precise property line is a great investment in your premises.

I could build my fence on the property line with out a survey - Even when you're sure you're building only on your own land, protect your investment by making sure that you know exactly where the house lines are. If as it happens you have built onto a neighboring property, you might be forced to tear down your work. Think twice before building a fence right on the house line, in case you know right where it is. Can you maintain the other side without trespassing on your own neighbor's property? Will the footings encroach on the land?

The fence should be my property line, it's been there 100 years - Fences, especially those built decades ago, are only an approximation of where the property line is or was regarded as. Even though that fence has been used for decades, it doesn't automatically make it the house line.

All land has already been surveyed, it's only a matter of locating the survey - Although you may be ale to find old maps designed for tax purposes, in many cases the land you own may have never been surveyed. Even though you do find a previous survey from decades ago, it could not always help solve your issue or assist you in identifying the specific property lines on the ground, especially if the surveyor's monuments are long gone.



I don't need a second survey if the land was surveyed years back - Land survey can be an art, no exact science.  https://aerial-lidar.co.uk/best-mobile-mapping/  for two surveyors to obtain different results. Also, the measurements are made based on the evidence found; surveyors working at different points with time may not have exactly the same evidence available. The new surveyor will have the advantage of the monuments set by the previous surveyor, if they're still in existence, as well as any records recorded following the previous survey. If the previous survey's results are being questioned, it could be worth it to have another survey done.

Having a survey done is too expensive - Devoid of a survey done when you really need one can cost you thousands. Is it worth the chance? This professional service is well worth the cost.