Whether it’s a dispute with an encroaching neighbor or closing on a new home, having accurate, legal knowledge of property lines can save money and headaches. Utah Land Survey helps provide that knowledge.

Surveyors use a variety of techniques, including radiation, traverse and triangulation. They can also employ specialized equipment like drones.

Boundary surveys, sometimes called property boundary surveys, are a critical part of land surveying. They establish a property’s legal limits, helping owners determine what exactly belongs to them and avoiding disputes over neighboring property lines. Land surveyors use boundary surveys to draw up a detailed map of a property, highlighting the boundary line and providing a written description that can be used in legal documents.

Depending on the specifics of the project, the costs of a boundary survey can vary significantly. The complexity of the property’s terrain and the availability of existing records are major factors in determining costs. Surveyors may also need to spend more time researching and analyzing properties with complex legal descriptions or irregular shapes, which can add to the overall cost.

Boundary surveys are a necessity for homeowners, builders, and developers, as they offer key information about property ownership. They can also help local authorities approve building permits for property subdivisions and ensure that construction projects comply with zoning regulations. In many cases, mortgage lenders require a boundary survey before approving a loan for a new home or commercial development.

While it is possible for a boundary survey to be conducted without the assistance of a licensed professional, the results may not be accurate. For this reason, it is often best to hire a qualified surveyor for the task. A thorough boundary survey can save time and money by reducing the risk of disputes, costly legal complications, and construction setbacks.

When performing a boundary survey, the land surveyor will need to verify the location of any existing easements on the property. These are the rights granted to third parties to access and use parts of a property for a particular purpose, such as a utility company’s right to locate and maintain utility lines. A boundary survey will validate the location of these easements, preventing future conflicts or misunderstandings between the property owner and the surveyor.

Boundary surveys are also used by landowners to prepare for property sales, ensuring that the boundaries of the property are accurately documented in the sale contract and reducing the likelihood of encroachments or boundary disputes with neighbors. In addition, a boundary survey can be used by home buyers to gain confidence that they are purchasing a property with its full legal boundaries.

Topographical Surveys

Topographical surveys are the surveying method for examining, mapping, and documenting natural and man-made property features. Unlike boundary surveys, which focus on property lines, these assessments examine land elevations and grades, ground contours, physical property features, and construction sites to assess the feasibility of a given area for use in a specific way. These assessments provide valuable insights into what can and cannot be done with a parcel of land, which is vital to making informed decisions about future development.

Using the data from a topographical survey, engineers and architects can then create detailed design work that incorporates existing conditions. With the help of these comprehensive maps, it becomes easier to plan out grading designs, infrastructure layouts, and foundation works that will be able to fit into the surrounding landscape. This can help reduce project delays and costly errors later on down the line.

In addition to highlighting a property’s boundaries and features, these reports can also include details about underground and above-ground utilities. For example, this information can be used to locate sewer pipes, water channels, electrical and gas lines, and communication cables. This can then be input into CAD software to allow a drafting or engineering professional to model how these features will interact with a proposed construction site.

This type of survey requires more advanced equipment than a boundary survey, and a skilled surveyor is required to ensure accuracy. This is because the measurements for a topographical survey are taken using a high-quality GPS unit or an electronic EDM instrument. This enables the surveyor to produce a 3D map of a site, showing contour lines for different elevations across a parcel. This is then used to reference different surface and underground features, such as retaining walls, lakes, gas lines, roads, buildings, fences, and utility poles.

Some clients will order a topographic survey to determine the height of existing buildings or structures on their property. This is important when planning renovations or building new structures because it will affect the structural integrity of the building and how it will sit in relation to surrounding properties and public streets. Others will order a topographical survey to see how the soil will respond to changes in water flow during rainy seasons.

Deeds and Title Records

There’s a lot of information that goes into a property deed or title and a land survey is an integral cog in the process. Whether you are buying or selling, a survey should be part of the package to avoid any legal trouble down the road.

There are various types of land surveys depending on the circumstance and need. Some examples include boundary surveys, location surveys, topographic surveys and more. Boundary surveys are the most common and are used to identify and establish property lines for any parcel of land. A land surveyor can also determine if there are any existing easements or encroachments on a property that could lead to future legal issues.

A survey can also help a potential buyer or seller resolve any disputes between neighbors concerning property lines. This can prevent a lot of hassle down the road in regards to property ownership and can save money in the long run by not having to deal with legal fees.

While a property owner can find out a lot of information about a piece of land through local government records and the internet, it’s best to have a professional survey conducted to ensure accuracy. Not only will a professional surveyor check the current deed to see what the boundaries are, but they will also research all previous deeds that have been filed and recorded at the local property or recorder’s office. A surveyor will also look for plat maps and other information that will be important to know when it comes time to sell or buy a property.

A surveyor can also conduct a topographic survey to map the elevations of a parcel or provide a detailed description of an area’s features. A topographic survey can be useful for commercial properties or residential lots that are being subdivided, and it can even be used to delineate wetlands for protection. Another thing that a surveyor can provide is a legal description of a parcel, which will be helpful in providing to a title agent when it’s time to prepare the official deed.

Zoning and Land Use Records

Land surveyors use a variety of tools to assess property boundaries and legal status. These include examining historical documents, accessing plat maps and past surveys, and analyzing land tax records. Additionally, examining environmental records is important when identifying potential hazards or restrictions. A thorough understanding of these documents allows surveyors to perform accurate measurements and ensure legal compliance for their clients.

While obtaining these documents can be time consuming, they are crucial to conducting a successful survey. To learn more about how to access these documents, consult a professional surveyor. They can provide valuable insights and help you avoid common errors.

Using online resources can also help you find and interpret property records. Sites like the Virginia Land Development Information History (LDIH) consolidate building, site, and zoning data from numerous county systems into one convenient search tool. Its easy-to-use cataloging system features make it the fastest and most efficient method for locating site and building-related records.

In addition to examining historic documents and maps, you can also use online resources to research property taxes, deeds, titles, and other legal records. These documents can reveal a property’s legal description, ownership rights, and restrictions. Reviewing these records can also aid in resolving disputes with neighbors over property boundaries and encroachments.

Another important resource is reviewing local zoning ordinances and regulations. These laws determine how a particular parcel of land can be used and can have a significant impact on the outcome of a survey. It is important to understand the zoning restrictions of a parcel before attempting any improvements or establishing legal rights.

Whether you are purchasing a home or planning for an expansion project, it’s critical to understand the boundaries of your property. A land survey can help you prevent costly mistakes and achieve your construction or renovation goals safely and efficiently. By utilizing these resources, you can avoid legal issues and protect your investment. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with these records and documents, you can make informed decisions about property improvements and ensure compliance with local zoning restrictions. Contact us for more information about our land surveying services or to schedule an appointment with a qualified professional.