How long does a land survey take? If you’re awaiting the results or considering scheduling a boundary survey on or for your property, understanding the factors that influence the timeline can help you set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.

Boundary surveys are essential to determine the property boundary lines and corners. One cannot identify where the property line begins and ends without a property survey. Although property disputes may not result in the same way they used to, it is crucial to know where the land boundaries are.

Before moving on to the more critical parts of the article, let us first understand the term land survey and the need to conduct a land survey.

What Is Land Surveying?

A land survey is the thorough study of property by gathering relevant information. It also involves directions, horizontal distances, and angles. The land surveyor may include a topographical survey including elevations and any buildings or real estate on the land. A land survey helps locate, monument, and map corners and legal boundaries of a land.

When Do You Need a Land Survey?

People may require a land survey for commercial or residential properties. A professional land surveyor has the expertise to perform surveys that help you find the correct information about your land. A property survey can include many important details about the land including: the size of the property, location of flood zones existing on or near the ground, tree locations when city requirements need it in the legal description, boundary line, and even down to each property corner.

Here are some other instances where a land survey is essential:

*Purchasing or expanding a house

A land surveyor can help you with a boundary survey to mark the boundary lines to determine your land size. It also lets you know if there are any encroachments or an easement on your property.

*Purchasing title insurance

It helps protect the property owner from financial responsibilities if anyone claims ownership of the property.

*Purchasing flood insurance

A land surveyor can help determine if the land is in flood zones. A survey drawing will help visualize where those flood zones are on the property if there are any.

*Locating easements and utilities

Land surveyors check records to find out if there is an  existing easement on land. They also help in establishing new ones. Moreover, land surveyors help locate the property’s utilities or plot out the locations where owners can install new utilities without damaging the existing structure.

*Updating an old property map

Some old maps may contain structures or monuments that are not present anymore.  Land surveys help update property maps to reflect the most recent structures that give the best idea of the location of the boundaries.

*Subdividing Land

A subdivision survey is needed when a builder or property owner wants to break a piece of land into smaller parcels. This type of land survey will also include boundary lines and legal description but will also include property and local ordinance requirements for lot sizes, roads, utilities, and easements.

How Long Does a Survey Take?

The time it takes to receive the  land survey results depends on your property and the quality of the existing deeds and other ownership documents. Before the land surveyor begins studying the land, they must conduct thorough research and review the current deeds and plats of the land that will need measuring along with the correct details about the property and its surroundings.

They may find some information present on the internet. However, a professional land surveyor can access local courthouses to access most of the information. Retrieving the existing deeds may take additional time, prolonging the entire process.

Moreover, the quality of the deeds is also a factor affecting the total time of the survey. If the deeds have conflicting information, they undergo further investigation to find the exact and correct information about the property.

Once the deeds and other ownership documents have been thoroughly reviewed, the licensed surveyor visits the location and records physical evidence, including walls, iron stakes fence lines, and other property markers to compare the measurements with the recorded data. It may take one day to two weeks, depending on the size of the property to gather the correct information about the land.

However, commercial surveys can take thirty to sixty days, depending on the survey requirements and land’s condition.

To Sum it Up

Land surveying is essential to determine legal land boundaries and corners of a property. It ensures that the property owner is aware of any property risks such as flood zones or encroachments. It also helps both buyers and sellers make informed decisions about a property by providing information to determine property value, topography, and other risks associated with the land. While the duration of a land survey can vary depending on various factors, choosing to work closely with a professional surveyor can significantly contribute to expediting the process. Now that NLC has answered the question of “how long does a survey take?”, you can better navigate the process with confidence. Still have questions? Let’s talk today.