Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure that the person you'll be working with is a licensed surveyor. Ask for a copy of their license so you could check its authenticity. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the company.

Another important thing to remember is to hire someone whom you'll be comfortable working with. In order to determine this, meet with the land surveyor you're planning to hire. You'll be able to decide by the way he talks to you or answers your questions. Aside from seeing if you'll be comfortable around him, you'd also be able to measure how knowledgeable he is.

Make sure that you thoroughly read and understand the contract before signing it. Read everything, especially the fine print. Also make sure that you'll get the services that you'll pay for, and that there are no hidden charges. Signing a contract makes you legally bounded to its terms, so make sure that you fully understand what you're signing up for.

It's not really that hard hiring a land surveyor. Just remember to hire someone who is honest when it comes to doing the job so that you get the best bang for your buck.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. A land survey or boundary survey is completed to establish the location of a piece of land along with its encompassing acreage. A land surveyor locates or places boundaries of a defined area of ownership. A survey is used to identify a piece of property from a written legal description or to provide an opinion of the accuracy of an existing legal description. This information is very importance when a person is buying or selling land. Surveyors also lend a service in the insurance of the land having a clear and marketable title.

There are many types of surveys that can be done. A boundary survey is typically done for raw land. A lot survey or closing survey is done to re-establish the boundary of a previously established lot of land. The lots would have been established by a recorded subdivision plat. Both of these types of surveys locate and measure the physical boundaries of the property in question. Most surveys have similar basic procedures regardless of the type of survey that is being done.

Any pertinent deeds, contracts, maps or other documents that contain a description of the property’s boundaries are located, studied and interpreted. A determination is made of what the actual property description is deemed to be, along with the locations of any physical evidence of the boundaries. This can be in the form of both natural and man-made monuments or markers that exist in the field. The property is then measured to establish the boundaries, not only using the appropriate existing monuments but with the creation and referencing of new markers where necessary. Measurements are accomplished using a total station and other surveying tools. A total station measures both vertical and horizontal angles, as used in triangulation networks. After these steps are accomplished, the property description and plat are prepared.

Interpreting the results of a land survey is not as difficult as it may first seem. For instance, a property plat will usually contain a directional orientation which is typically indicated with an arrow pointing north. It will contain the bearing and distance of each boundary line, the property lines of other properties shown on the plat, and the names of adjacent property owners listed in the areas of their property. Corner monuments, along with the names of any natural monuments (such as “Smith’s Creek”, for example) or a brief description of any unnamed natural monuments (such as the "30-inch oak tree”) are on the plat. There is also a title block containing the property’s location and name of owner, the surveyor’s name and license number, the date the survey was performed, the scale of the plat and any other relevant data.

If you need the services of a land surveyor, ALWAYS be sure that you’re hiring an experienced, licensed, and highly competent professional surveyor. You can find out if the surveyor is licensed by visiting the Board of Licensure's website.

http://www.pro17engineering.com/basics-land-boundary-survey/

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. We pay good money to hire somebody just to get them do what needs to be done. If you want to make the best of your money, it just makes sense to hire the best. I'm sure nobody wants to pay good money and get lousy service in return.

1. Check the Better Business Bureau. Although this has gone somewhat commercial (they take payment for a "certified" listing) it would still indicate if they have any complaints.

2. Check for license. These will typically include local AND state licenses for the type of profession.

3. Ask for references AND call them. Most people will not call references. Don't make that mistake.

4. Make sure you have a contract that spells out what they will do and what they expect from you.

5. Check on the work often. Keeping the communication lines open is the best way stay on top of the work.

6. Don't pay for work that hasn't been done. Always hold out some portion of payment until that work has been finally inspected and accepted.