When you purchase a home or install a fence, you need to have your property surveyed. A professional land surveyor is licensed to mark out boundaries and measure the land itself. Aside from doing calculations, they research land titles and survey records. Landowners hire land surveyors to avoid legal disputes on boundaries and easements.
Since land surveying is a niche industry, not a lot of people know how to hire the right person. Not sure how you can hire one? Read this guide to learn the tips for hiring a land surveyor.
What Are the Qualifications To Become a Land Surveyor?
Land surveying is a very technical job, which is why it takes 8-9 years to become a professional surveyor. Entering a land surveying career requires a significant amount of time, education, and training. While the qualifications vary depending on the state, surveyors typically need to:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in land surveying or a closely related field (mapping, civil engineering, or geomatics)
- Pass the Fundamentals of Surveying exam
- Get a surveyor’s license from their preferred state
- Seek employment in government agencies or construction firms for hands-on experience
- Obtain industry certifications and specializations from the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)
What Are the Key Skills of a Land Surveyor?
When working on survey projects, professional land surveyors need to demonstrate the following skills:
- Knowledge of geographical information systems (GIS), CAD, and global positioning system (GPS)
- High levels of numeracy skills
- Logical thinking skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Excellent memory
- Visual creativity
- Decision-making skills
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Map work orientation skills
- Time management
Tips When Hiring a Land Surveyor
Professionalism and Good Communication
When looking for a land surveyor, make sure they have good communication skills. They should be able to help you understand the technical aspects of the job. Do they have a professional demeanor and attitude? Were they able to answer your questions and concerns in a timely manner? It’s better to engage a land surveyor who goes out of their way to help you throughout the project.
Certifications and Licenses
Hiring an unlicensed surveyor is risky. Moreover, their survey report might not be recognized as valid and reliable. When hiring a professional for your land survey, check if they are state-licensed by the appropriate authorities. A certified and licensed surveyor has passed qualifications and training in their work. They also have the proper tools and equipment to conduct different types of land surveys.
Liability Insurance
Although it’s not a requirement, it’s good to work with a land surveyor who has professional liability insurance. Even the most competent surveyor is vulnerable to momentary errors and slip-ups. If anything goes wrong during the project, this insurance benefits land surveyors by having these covered:
- Investigative costs
- Defense fees
- Out-of-court settlements
- Other legal expenses
Reviews and References
No matter the type of survey you’re getting, referrals and online reviews are very helpful. Feedback from previous clients will let you know if it’s a good idea to hire them. You may ask your friends, workmates, and relatives for any recommendations. Feel free to do your own research and read reviews on websites. Go for the one with positive reviews because they are more likely to provide you with a positive customer experience.
Questions to Ask a Land Surveyor
Not all surveyors are exactly the same. That’s why it’s important to choose the right surveyor for the job. To make things easier, we’ve compiled the interview questions that you might find helpful. Don’t forget to ask these questions when hiring a land surveyor:
- Are you licensed in my state?
- What are the types of surveys you are familiar with?
- Do you have insurance coverage?
- What is your process like?
- How long have you been handling survey projects?
- What is your timeline for my project?
- How much do you charge?
- Can you provide me with references and reviews?
- How long is a survey good for?
Work With Our Surveying Team
We hope you find this blog helpful and informative. For your surveying needs, count on none other than Pittsburgh Land Surveyors. We perform mortgage surveys, as-built surveys, flood elevation certifications, ALTA surveys, and more. To get started on your project, feel free to call us right away! We look forward to working with you.
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