Property Surveys: Why You Need One and How to Get It Done Right
Getting a survey for your property is crucial. It assures that you don’t require a mortgage if your offer on a house has been approved and accepted, before continuing further.
Property surveys establish or confirm boundary lines, the house’s location, and subsurface features like wells and septic tanks. They also outline additional restrictions and legal requirements, such as such as crossings or incursions.
Therefore, you’ll likely need a property survey when buying a new place or expanding your existing land. Let’s explore the process.
Reasons for Getting a Survey of Your Property
One of the most frequent causes for a landowner to hire a certified inspector for surveying a property is the location of boundaries and other lines. You must consider these legal restrictions on occupancy or ownership before fencing, introducing a sunroom, or modifying your path.
According to this survey, both you and your neighbours can make far too many mistakes. It’s possible that the boundaries between your properties have been misplaced by both of you. So, before you have the fence installed, make sure it should be in your territory and not your neighbor’s.
Moreover, the property survey will also let you know if the legal description of your property is accurate.
How to Conduct a Property Survey?
Ascertain whether you need to conduct a land survey, since preventing disputes over property lines is the main goal of a property survey.
Acknowledge that current boundaries could not be correct. It is possible that a property’s current limits are not its true, legal bounds in many situations, particularly for rural estates. Your deed, however, can stipulate a different line that must be followed when establishing the precise boundaries of properties.
Moreover, obtain property documentation. You will probably require one legal document defining your land to identify where your legal borders are.
In addition to it, if you require a professional, hire one. Although it may be more affordable, conducting a property survey on your own could lead you into trouble. If you’re even slightly off and construct something on a nearby property, your neighbour may sue you, which may cost you thousands of dollars. Before deciding against spending a few hundred thousand to get your land properly surveyed, think about the expenses of making a mistake.
If you choose to hire a professional, ensure they have extensive experience, a valid license, and insurance. Opt for a certified expert specializing in property surveys rather than a general contractor or handyman who occasionally conducts surveys.
To learn more about what goes into a property survey and the associated costs, read Property Surveys.
