Land Surveying Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

· 2 min read
Land Surveying Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

Are you considering having a land survey done on your property? There are plenty of survey related misconceptions that may steer you the wrong manner. Here is the truth about 7 common surveying myths:


Land surveys aren't necessary when you can discover the survey stakes - If you discover the survey stakes from the previous survey, all you know is that there was a previous surveyor who determined that location was on the edge of the house. The land surveyor you hire can let you know if what you've found is really your property line; you might be surprised to discover that in many cases, everything you think is really a surveying monument may not be it at all. Plus, your findings won't hold up in court, but a licensed land surveyor's would.

It is extremely rare for a neighbor to encroach over a house line - You shouldn't be so sure that you are not encroaching onto property that legally belongs to your neighbor, or that they aren't technically on your own property. Land surveyors see these kinds of issues constantly. Hiring a land surveyor to mark the exact property line is a wonderful investment in your premises.

I could build my fence on the house line without a survey - Even when you're sure you're building only on your land, protect your investment by ensuring you know exactly where the house lines are. If as it happens which you have built onto a neighboring property, you could be forced to tear down your projects. Think twice before creating a fence right on the property line, even though you know right where it really is. Can you maintain the other side without trespassing on your neighbor's property? Will the footings encroach on their land?

The fence needs to be my property line, it's been there a hundred years - Fences, especially those built decades ago, are just an approximation of where in fact the property line is or was thought to be. Even though that fence has been used for decades, that doesn't automatically make it the property line.

All land was already surveyed, it's only a matter of locating the survey - Although you may be ale to find old maps created for tax purposes, in many cases the land you own could have never been surveyed. Even if you do look for a previous survey from decades ago, it could not always help solve your issue or assist you in identifying the actual property lines on the floor, particularly if the surveyor's monuments are long gone.

I don't need a second survey if the land was surveyed years back - Land survey can be an art, no exact science. It's possible for two surveyors to obtain different results. Also, the measurements are made using the evidence found; surveyors working at different points in time may not have the same evidence available.  Find more information  will have the benefit of the monuments set by the prior surveyor, if they're still in existence, and any records recorded following the previous survey. If the prior survey's results are being questioned, it might be worth it to have another survey done.

Having a survey done is too expensive - Not having a survey done when you really need one can cost you thousands. Is it worth the risk? This professional service is well worth the cost.