Land surveying is a career that combines art and science. This industry is a complicated one with no room for error. Since many are unfamiliar with this profession, there are many misconceptions surrounding land surveying. If you want to have a land survey done on your property, you must be well-informed about the ins and outs of the business. In this article, we unravel the truth about land surveying myths and misconceptions:
Myth 1: I don’t need a land survey because I can find the previous survey stakes.
Survey stakes are the markers that land surveyors use in their surveying projects. These markers are important in preparing job sites and marking out boundaries. A survey stake does not necessarily mean the property line. This marker might only serve as a surveying monument. In addition, not all survey stakes are accurate. Only a licensed and professional land surveyor can interpret the accurate property lines and inform you of exactly where your property starts and ends.
Myth 2: My existing fence is my property line.
Even if your fence has been existing for more than a hundred years, it might not be your exact property line. In fact, it might represent outdated property lines that are not accurate or official. Since your fence does not confirm your property lines, a new land survey is necessary.
A survey will determine whether your fence was built too close to or directly on your property line. It will also let you know if your fence is encroaching on the land of your neighbors. If this is the case, you may have to tear down your fence regardless of it existing for several decades.
Myth 3: Neighbors rarely encroach over a property line.
On the contrary, encroachment happens a lot more than you think. As land value increases, more people want to know their exact property line. Land surveyors can attest those disputes happen frequently. Never assume that neighbors don’t encroach each other’s property. To resolve these issues, a land survey can answer your concerns regarding where the accurate property lines are. It is always in the best interest of you and your neighbors to have the property surveyed.
Myth 4: Land surveys are priced according to parcel size.
The fees that you need to pay range between $400 and $700. It is not based on parcel size but the complexity. The overall cost of a land survey depends on the following factors:
- Lot or Parcel Size
- Terrain and Geographical Location
- Age of the Property
- The Existence of Previous Surveys
- The Quality of Existing Record
- Markers and Monuments
- Ground Level Visibility
Myth 5: Every piece of land has been surveyed.
This notion is very common, especially in the 21st century. However, there’s still a chance that your property has never been surveyed at least once. This might be the case if your lot is in a remote area. Having an old map does not necessarily mean that you had a land survey. The property lines can be altered over time. When in doubt, find a professional land surveyor in your area and get an estimate. This is the best way to know where the boundaries of a property are.
Myth 6: My property has been surveyed before, so I don’t need to hire a surveyor again.
Land surveys do not have expiration dates. If your land has been surveyed in the past, it does not mean that the results are always accurate. Do not rely on old maps as they may be inaccurate or incomplete.
In case there are changes made on your property, another survey should be conducted. Any home improvements or additions will make your old survey obsolete. A new and up-to-date land survey will ensure that your property lines are valid.
Myth 7: Surely my surveyor will agree with me, I’m paying him!
Most professional land surveyors are certified and licensed, which makes them credible. Their job is to determine the property lines and research the official records. They provide you with a legal description of the exact boundaries of where your property lines begin and end—not where you think they are.
Hire a Trusted Land Surveyor Today
Turn to Pittsburgh Land Surveyors for a wide range of land survey services. You may contact us for a consultation, and we will execute your surveying project right away!
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