Step-by-Step: What Happens After You Place a Survey Order

Whether buying land, planning to build a structure, or confirming boundaries, you should know what to expect with a survey request to ensure you manage your time effectively and avoid delays. The professional land survey involves research, fieldwork, analysis, and ultimate documentation.

The following is a step-by-step analysis of the process that occurs after you make an order to conduct a survey.

Step 1: Initial Project Review and Documentation Collection

After a survey request is received, the initial process undertaken by a land survey company is the acquisition of the required property records and project information. Documents that are reviewed by the surveyors include deeds, title commitments, old surveys, and legal descriptions of the property.

This step is necessary as it aids the surveyors to know legal boundaries and whether any easements or restrictions have been recorded on the land. The client can also avail the available site plans or construction drawings to assist in the scope of the survey.

Step 2: Defining the Scope of the Survey

The survey team determines the project scope after going through the documents. This involves determining the kind of land surveys one needs, like boundary surveys, topographic surveys, or ALTA/NSPS surveys.

Another thing that is done during this step is the coordination of surveyors with other stakeholders involved in the project. These can be lenders, title companies, engineers, architects or real estate professionals. Setting expectations early will mean that all the details required in the approvals or general transactions of the property will be included in the surveys.

Step 3: Fieldwork and On-Site Measurements

The next step after planning is fieldwork, wherein surveyors visit the property to do the survey. This is the most visible part of the survey, whereby the professionals determine boundaries, where the existing structures are and also the physical features of the land.

Surveyors take the measurements and the geographic data using hi-tech gadgets like GPS receivers, total stations, and laser scanners. They can also lay or establish a boundary marker to recognize corners of property.

Step 4: Data Analysis and Mapping

Upon completing the fieldwork, the surveyors return to the office and process the data gathered. This step entails the measurement analysis, boundarying and field control to compare records made by previous measurements.

The surveyors incorporate special mapping software to come up with intensely detailed survey drawings that mirror the actual layout of the property. These maps typically show:

• Property boundaries
• Buildings and structures
• Easements and rights-of-way
• Utilities and access points
• Topographic features

Step 5: Draft Survey Preparation and Quality Review

The land survey company usually prepares a draft of the survey before giving out the final results. This enables the internal teams to review the correctness of the measurements and ensure that all the necessary information is provided.

In some situations, the draft can be forwarded to clients, lenders or title companies to review it. These groups can seek clarifications or extra information prior to the completion of the survey.

Step 6: Final Survey Report and Deliverables

After the review process is done, the surveyor makes the final deliverables. They typically come with a stamped survey plat or map, which gives a clear description of the boundaries of the property and other significant characteristics.

Some notes that are included in the final survey report are the easements, encroachments, or findings that involve the property. According to the guidelines of surveying, these documents are very crucial to the property owners, developers, lenders and title companies.

Step 7: Using the Survey for Property Planning or Transactions

The information provided to property owners and professionals within the survey documents can be utilized in a number of ways. These surveys can be used by architects and engineers in designing as well as by contractors to locate the buildings on the ground.

Survey data is also useful in permitting, zoning approvals and improvement of property, including fences, driveways or additions. Proper land surveying minimizes the chances of boundary conflict and makes sure that the development projects comply with local policies.

Conclusion

When one orders a survey, it is just the start of a well-planned process that aims at providing accurate and reliable property information. From document research and field measurements to mapping and final reports, each stage plays a critical role in ensuring that the survey reflects the true characteristics of the land.

Professional land surveys clarify property boundaries, infrastructure, and legal restrictions. It is by utilizing the services of local land surveyors that a property owner can proceed with the clear knowledge of making an acquisition, planning, or answering questions about boundaries.

For precise surveying and dependable expertise, connect with the team at Exacta Land and ensure your property survey is handled with accuracy from start to finish.