Boundary Surveys

Navigating real estate ownership can be a complex process with lots of moving parts. To ensure things proceed smoothly, any information about a piece of property should be accurate and provided by a trained professional. That includes defining or clarifying the properties’ boundary lines.

A professional boundary survey establishes firm property lines. As part of our suite of Survey services, McClure can perform boundary surveys for private property, commercial property, and more. Whether you’re buying a piece of land or breaking ground on new construction, our boundary surveys will make sure property lines are clearly defined for all parties involved.

What Is a Boundary Survey?

A boundary survey is one of the most common forms of legal survey. They are used for various agreements and transactions, like buying property or dividing it into smaller pieces. Even if boundaries were previously established, another boundary survey is still often part of the process.

In general, boundary surveys prioritize the corners of property lines. These sections provide the most clarity about the full extent of a piece of property. Many surveys place markers at these property corners, but it isn’t always required.

Boundary Surveys Start with Due Diligence

Before the boundary survey can begin, a professional surveyor should collect as much information about the property as they can. This can be a combination of both publicly available information and research from private entities, such as the previous owner. Because of the complexities making up real estate agreements and property disputes, gathering research can be time consuming. A surveyor might have to visit local municipal offices, adjacent property owners, and even other survey teams. Ideally, the original deed can be used to clearly define the intentions of the property’s original owner.

Once the research is complete, field research can begin. The surveyor will visit the site and collect information about the property boundaries. They can also note existing improvements from previous construction.

Analyzing Boundary Survey Data

After field research has been completed at the site, the surveyor still needs to record and analyze the information they collected. If there are differences between established documentation and evidence about the boundary lines found on site, these should be noted. Otherwise, it could result in a dispute between adjacent properties. Surveyors will highlight other useful details like acreage, any rights of way along the property, and if anything is encroaching over the boundary lines.

All info is compiled into a final report. In order to stand up to legal scrutiny, these reports must achieve a high standard of accuracy and clarity. Once the information in this report is verified, the surveyor can return to the site and stake down the final boundaries. To avoid having to find them again, markers should be clearly visible from a distance. Many survey teams use metal pipes and spray paint.

Breaking Down the Costs of a Boundary Survey

The ultimate cost of a boundary survey can vary greatly. It depends on the size and shape of the property as well as the complexities of finding relevant research and documents. As a result, a boundary survey for a large parcel of land in remote, rugged terrain will likely cost more than a smaller plot near town. Even the current season or why you’re seeking a boundary survey can influence the final cost.

Skipping a Boundary Survey Could Cause Complications

If a boundary survey isn’t completed, or the survey itself was handled poorly, it can make settling legal matters much more difficult. By investing the time and resources needed to conduct a quality boundary survey, property owners can avoid complications such as:

Disputes between adjacent property owners
Unintentionally violating state or municipal building codes
Delaying a sale or transfer of the property to new owners

Where We Make An Impact

McClure can verify property lines with prompt, comprehensive boundary surveys.