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 |  | Subdivision's Individual Parcel Survey: $300-$500 |  | Residential Lot Survey: $300-$1,000 |  | Up to 20 Acres: $750-$1,750+ |
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A property or land survey determines the boundary lines and accurate measurements of a specific parcel, lot or acreage. The process typically involves researching official records and doing field work on the property. A land survey may be required or desired when buying or selling property, building a fence or a house addition, subdividing a property, splitting a lot, or obtaining or refinancing a mortgage. Many local building or fence permits require a boundary survey, and many lending institutions require a current detailed land survey to reveal any problems with boundary lines, easements and encroachments.
Typical costs: | - Many surveyors charge $50-$220 or more an hour, depending on the type of work performed and the qualifications of the person doing the work. For example, Homestead Land Surveying[1] in California charges $55 an hour for the services of a junior survey technician, $95 an hour for a senior technician, $135 an hour for the principal land surveyor, $150 an hour for a two-person field crew and $220 an hour for a three-person field crew. GJB Engineering[2] in Virginia charges $50 an hour for administrative work, $85 an hour for a surveying draftsman, $100 an hour for a technician, $150 an hour for a professional surveyor and $140 an hour for a two-person surveying crew.
- Total costs depend on the type and complexity of survey. A developer building new houses might have surveys done of the entire development then sell a copy of a specific parcel survey to the buyer of that lot for $300-$500. A typical residential lot survey might cost $300-$1,000 depending on local rates and the size and type of parcel; placing permanent stone or metal boundary markers may be optional at $100-$300 each. For example, Texas Land Title Surveyors[3] estimates a residential land title survey including staking property corners at $350, and a topographic survey for beach front construction at $450. Ramsey Surveying[4] in Arkansas estimates a typical lot survey for less than a half acre at $500 in subdivisions newer than 1970 and $750 for subdivisions older than 1950, with boundary surveys on up to 10 acres starting at $750-$850, and 10-20 acre parcels at $1,750 or more.
- The cost of a land survey is based on several factors, including the parcel size and accessibility (distance to site and difficulty surveying all lines and corners); availability of information and records; existing evidence on the property (markers from previous surveys); time of year and weather conditions; complexity (a property described as part of a one-mile section may legally require surveying the entire section); improvements like houses, garages, fences or pavement; and more. LandSurveyor.us lists factors affecting the cost of a land survey.
Related articles: Building a Custom Home, Home Addition, Family Room Addition, Fence
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What should be included: | - Provide as much information as possible, including legal documents or plans for the property, any available details on boundary line and corner locations, and any disputes about these lines or corners. Typically, the final product will be a signed, sealed and certified map of the property surveyed, showing what was surveyed and, depending on the type of survey, information like which corners were found or marked, improvements on the property and any encroachments across the boundaries. Link Field Services in Texas provides an overview.
- There are many different land surveys. A subdivision survey is needed when subdividing a property and must follow local government regulations. A boundary survey locates the corners, lines and easements for a given parcel. LandSurveyor.us describes types of land surveys and lists common misconceptions and myths.
- In addition to traditional transit and tape, modern surveyors also use electronic distance and angle measuring equipment, including GPS for greater accuracy and efficiency on some types of surveys. Often a surveyor spends more time researching records than viewing and measuring the property. Link Field Services in Texas gives step-by-step examples of the tasks and manpower needed for an average boundary survey of 20 rural acres and an average residential subdivision lot survey.
- A land surveyor must be licensed by the state; most states require a four-year degree in surveying or a related science, plus 4-8 years working under the direct supervision of a licensed surveyor.
Discounts: | - If a previous survey was done recently and the same surveyor is available, that surveyor might recertify the original survey 25%-50% of the cost of doing a new land survey.
Shopping for a property survey: | - Prices vary significantly; get several estimates. The state associations[5] of the National Association of Professional Surveyors typically provide referrals.
- The surveyor should provide a written agreement or contract detailing what will be surveyed, the type of survey, the agreed-upon fee and when the final survey will be delivered.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Charlie Cranch in Millcreek Twp, PA. | Posted: February 5th, 2022 07:02AM |
| Type of Survey: Boundary Line |
Surveyor I hired researched deeds and maps at courthouse, set pins around my property and explained results to me. Was doing for fencing, so surveyor said drawing not necessary at this time, but could do one later for small additional charge. |
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| Posted by: Paul Bauer in Clearwater, FL. | Posted: April 16th, 2018 07:04PM |
| Type of Survey: Boundary |
I asked for 4 quotes, I had 3 at $500 and 1 at 950 from Macsurvey. I chose highest price for a better quality survey and because they spent time and advised me on what they did and why they did it. Apparently surveying is a very involved profession and these guys have $75k of equipment and years of training just to do my lot! I compared the survey to the survey I received at closing and saw the variety of work surveyors can produce! |
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| Posted by: One Oklahoma Resident: in Lexington, OK. | Posted: February 10th, 2018 07:02AM |
| Type of Survey: Topographical and boundary |
Survey of 23.5 acres, dividing into four sections (not evenly). Previous survey was 10 years earlier. Two days with 2 man utilizing RV mule transportation, drafting fee and of course setting of pins. Did Not like the true magnetic north-south/east-west surveyed boundaries and setting of the new pins, because the straight lines were angled and crooked across land unlike the previous grandfathered boundary's. The uneven lengths, when compared in parallel depicted one side was over 35 feet shorter, due to angle measurement of the new (GPS) style survey process. I hope this is not the new laws of Oklahoma. |
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| Posted by: buysmart in Rio Grande Ranchos, CO. | Posted: April 29th, 2017 06:04AM |
| Type of Survey: Boundary |
I had 5 acres of flat land in Costilla County Co. surveyed. Result was replacement of one marker, map of the area with set backs indicated, 5 pictures and name of property owner next to mine. I thought his price was high. A map is provided by the County, cost $10. Set back information is also provided by the County. The neighbors name can be found in the County tax records online. What I paid for that I couldn't do for myself was affirmation of the boundaries, had one marker reset and 5 pictures. It appears the county has that corner that was reset as part of the neighbors land on their online map. Its best to get the boundary maps for yours and all adjoining properties before hiring to determine if encroachment disputes may result in the final product. My surveyor didn't provide the neighbors recorded adjoining boundary line, I thought this should have been included since there is a road that passes through the area that leads into their property where the marker was missing. |
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| Posted by: Blueox in Oakland, CA. | Posted: April 27th, 2017 04:04PM |
| Type of Survey: Topographical and boundary |
In Oakland, California the surveyors change around $5,000 and there is a 2 to 3 months waiting list to start the job. The vacant lot is about $3,000sf. It's a shame it cost so much plus the survey is only good for 3 years. If you don't build within 3 years. You have to pay again. |
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| Posted by: User in WA in Issaquah, WA. | Posted: February 12th, 2017 05:02PM |
| Type of Survey: Topographical and boundary |
Surveyor staked four corners and surveyed entire 4.95 acre lot at 2 ft contours in Issaquah, WA. |
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| Posted by: dgar martinelli sanchez in treadway, TN. | Posted: October 27th, 2016 08:10PM |
| Type of Survey: boundary |
most surveyors are woefully unprepared and undereducated in most southern states.
if property is of any size or consequence hire a firm or individual from northern state. |
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| Posted by: Tedkt in Woodruff, SC. | Posted: August 12th, 2016 07:08AM |
| Type of Survey: Land survey |
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| Posted by: Red-Dog in Okeene, OK. | Posted: June 5th, 2016 01:06AM |
| Type of Survey: land survey,bewteen (2) |
I requested a survey estimate of 55 rural and farmed acres, in Kingfisher county. The secretary advised it would take between 1,600.00 and $2,000.00 I had just installed a 5-stran, 5 point barbed-wire fence around the property. I had only concerns with the far west boundary between my property and the other owner. When I received the invoice, the bill had Quantity, 8 survey and travel, my property legal description and a unit price of $150.00 per travel for $1,200.00 Then there was an entry of (4) for survey & travel again for $150.00; Unit price $150.00 for a total of $600.00 dollars. Then there was an entry for Drafting for 2 hours @ $100.00 for a total of $200.00 So, my grand total was $2,000.00. No other delineation or narrative; description of what manner or sources, resources, or methods were performed. The secretary called me and said as soon as the money is received they will release the survey document. They will provide 3 copies. this seemed exuberant what do you think? |
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| Posted by: [email protected] in texas city, TX. | Posted: April 20th, 2016 06:04PM |
| Type of Survey: residential |
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| Posted by: hunt this in Ogden, UT. | Posted: April 17th, 2016 01:04PM |
| Type of Survey: topographical |
Good job with elevations marked in 2 foot increments. |
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| Posted by: a user in Monticello, FL. | Posted: October 31st, 2015 10:10PM |
| Type of Survey: Boundary survey |
Residential boundary survey
10 acres rectangular shaped property plus home & shed |
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| Posted by: SkellBell in Arkville, NY, NJ. | Posted: June 23rd, 2015 05:06PM |
| Type of Survey: Boundary survey |
No prior survey in Delaware County, NY records. Rural area where surveys are not common quotes ranged from 1100 to 2000 depending on the knowledge of the particular subdivision which was notorious for a bad subdivision plat from a farm to subdivision. Survey completed June 2014 but this website on goes up to 2014. |
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| Posted by: [email protected] in Andover, MA. | Posted: June 5th, 2015 12:06PM |
| Type of Survey: Residential - 1940s |
The cost of the survey really depends upon how old the lot is, what types of land markers are still visible, and what county/cities plans are available they may or may not dispute the lines. We lived in a home that was built in the 1940s and the clerk's office had varied plans that did not make any sense concerning our boundaries between our two neighbors. We were lucky that we had two boundary marks cites in pervious plans. Basically, the surveyor not only maps your area but there can be a lot of research behind the scenes that also need to be done. That can also take several hours. Remember- you want to pay to have it done right the first time!! |
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| Posted by: leigh-Ann in Noami, WV. | Posted: May 8th, 2015 03:05PM |
| Type of Survey: land survey and split between 3 people |
A Friend had a survey come to survey 108 acres in a rural site. It was being split between 3 sibling and they were charged $6,ooo. ( six-thousand dollars) this seems like a lot to me. What are your thoughts . |
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External Resources: | - www.homesteadsurveying.com/Graphics/HLSRateCard.pdf
- www.gjbengineering.com/CAE/conditions/Attachment_B_Rate_Schedule.pdf
- www.texaslandtitlesurveyors.com/services.html
- www.ramseysurveying.com/page4.html
- www.nsps.us.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=496&stopRedirect=1
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