How to Get a Land Survey

Determine boundary lines and obtain accurate measurements of your property with a land survey.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Purchase Agreement
• Yellow Pages
• Contractor Referral Services
• Title Insurance

1. Determine your reason for a land survey, such as locating boundary lines in order to build a fence or place a building.
2. Consult the yellow pages or Internet listings for land surveyors in your area.
3. Contact several surveyors and explain your specific needs for a land survey.
4. Provide the surveyor with copies of old surveys of the property, title insurance policies, and other pertinent documents relating to the property.
5. Ask the surveyor for an estimate of the cost of conducting a land survey on your property.
6. Inquire about how long it will take to receive the survey.
7. Check the land surveyor's references and certifications.
8. Retain the services of a land surveyor by issuing a work order that spells out the type of survey work to be completed, delivery date and estimated costs.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that in some areas, weather may hamper a surveyor's ability to do a survey. Keep the season and weather in mind when planning to get a survey.
• Buying property without a land survey could mean trouble in the future if questions arise about the legal boundaries of your property or the location of easements on your land.
• Get everything in writing.