At least once in your life, you might have seen a person standing by the side of a road while using a tripod-like instrument. That’s likely a land surveyor performing some fieldwork. If you’re curious about what a professional surveyor does, you’ve come to the right place.
Land surveying is all about measuring land and determining its boundaries. Professional surveyors use different kinds of equipment to measure the necessary structures and create maps of the land.
The most common tools they utilize are theodolite, measuring tape, compass, and level rods or tripods. For better accuracy and efficiency during site visits, they use Global Positioning System or GPS. These high-tech tools and equipment help generate data that can help with construction projects, land development, and communications.
What is the Process of Surveying a Land?
The following are the main steps taken by professionals in order to complete a land survey project. Although the process is rigorous and time-consuming, here is a summary of how a land survey works.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Before the legwork begins, you first need to figure out what type of land survey you require. There are various kinds of land surveys like boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and ALTA surveys. Each has its features, benefits, and differences. A land surveyor will help you determine which type of service is needed.
After this, the survey company receives authorization or permission from the property owner. A signed work order form or contract might be necessary to get the project started.
Step 2: Data Gathering and Research
The next step is to look for the existing conditions and boundary lines of the land. Your land surveyor will perform some research on all the pertinent documents. To ensure a smooth field survey, they need to evaluate property deeds, maps, easement documents, and other legal paperwork. These important documents can be provided by the property owner or the local records office. Only a professional land surveyor can go through these records and identify the legal property lines accurately.
Step 3: Field Survey
After reading and verifying all the documentation, the survey team goes to the site. They will check the physical evidence on the site like existing fence markers and monuments. Since these physical structures are not permanent, they need to establish the true boundary of the property.
Using specialized survey equipment, they will obtain data that would verify the placement of any existing property markers. The surveyors will take measurements, locate existing buildings, and obtain flood elevation information for the site. In some cases, the field crew might have to indicate the property lines with new markers.
Step 4: Resolution of Boundary Disputes
Boundaries may change over time, which can lead to disputes. Did you know that surveyors play an important role in resolving boundary conflicts between neighbors? Most boundary disputes arise when there’s uncertainty regarding the exact boundary line.
If you are involved in such an issue, a surveyor can provide you with a survey certificate or evidence of the legal boundary. They can provide impartial, expert advice to ensure that you both agree on where the boundary is. Talking to a professional survey company will help settle the issue before it leads to legal action.
Step 5: Drafting and Completion of Survey Report
The last phase involves drafting the map or survey plot of the site. This document must represent the parcel of land by including the boundaries, lot dimensions, and easements. Additionally, there should be a detailed written description of the property. Other information like the date of the survey and the name of the surveyor or company must be added to the report.
After creating the survey report, the final copies will be delivered to the client or title company along with the invoice.
We’ve Got Your Surveying Needs Covered!
For those who need assistance with their survey projects, Pittsburgh Land Surveyors is here to help. We specialize in every facet of land surveying and mapping. When you hire our company, we will guide you in every step of the process.
Our mission is to provide high-quality survey services for our residential, commercial, and industrial clients. In every task, we always go above and beyond to ensure excellent customer service. For additional information about our surveying solutions, feel free to get in touch today!
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