A.  WHEN DO I NEED A SURVEY?

1.   When buying land, to protect the investment you are about to make.

2.   When selling land, to insure that you are selling just that part intended.

3.   When land is not clearly defined by a plat or a description.

4.   Before land is divided by deed, will, or court order.

5.   When a lending agency requires a survey.

6.   Before constructing improvements such as fences, driveways, buildings, etc., near a property line.

7.   When a parcel is to be conveyed from a larger tract.

8.  Before timber is to be cut near a boundary line.

9.   When purchasing title insurance.

10.  When a property line or corner location is unknown or in dispute.

11.  When you believe someone is encroaching on your land.

12.  When purchasing flood insurance.

B.  HOW MUCH WILL A SURVEY COST?

The surveyor should be able to give you an estimate of the total cost to expect, and a schedule of rates and charges for office work, field work, travel time, etc.

A professional land survey will likely be the least expensive part of the total land or project cost, and a competent survey will cost less in time and money than legal fees, or moving or relocating buildings or other improvements.

The cost of a survey will be affected by many factors, such as:

1.   The type of survey, personnel, and equipment required.

2.   The amount of deed and record research required.

3.   The number of unknown corners.

4.   The existence of fences, buildings and other structures.

5.   The type and clarity of descriptions.

6.   The size and shape of the area to be surveyed.

7.   The terrain, amount of vegetation, buildings, fences, season of the year, etc.

8.   Accessibility of the property.

9.   Disputes about any property lines.

10.  Whether the surveyor has made other surveys in the area.

C.  WHAT SERVICES DO PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS PROVIDE?

Professional surveyors can:

1.   Examine your deed and those of adjacent land owners and look for evidence on the ground to see if there are problems.

2.   Advise whether you actually need a survey.

3.   Find your property corners and mark them properly.

4.   Mark and paint boundary lines.

5.   Perform the following types of surveys: route, boundary, subdivision, court, mortgage inspection, construction, topographic, hydrographic, etc.

6.   Locate oil and gas wells, buildings, fences, rights-of­-way, easements, encroachments, and other evidence of possession.

7.   Advise and cooperate with your attorney, title insurance company, realtor, broker, banker, engineer, or architect.

8.   Appear in court as an expert witness.

9.   Perform work in accordance with United States surveying laws and practices, state, county, and municipal laws and regulations.

D.  WHAT DOES THE PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR NEED FROM ME?

1.   The purpose of the survey.

2.   A copy of your deed, or the book and page where it is recorded in the county Chancery Clerk's Office; any survey plats you have, and information about the location of corners and property lines.

3.   Brief history of ownership and past conveyances.

4.   Names and addresses of adjacent land owners.

5.   Information about disagreements over location of corners and lines.

6.   A site visit with the surveyor.

7.   Agreement as to who is to pay for the survey and when.

8.   A copy of all title examination notes, if available.

E.  HOW CAN I OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF A PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR?

1.   Ask someone who has employed a competent surveyor.

2.   Look in the yellow pages or business section of a telephone book.

3.   Obtain a list of professional surveyors from the State.

4.   Contact the state Association of Professional Surveyors or one of its members.

F.  WHAT MAY I RECEIVE FROM THE PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR?

1.   Survey plat(s) (drawings, maps) suitable for recording, showing all necessary information in accordance with Standards for Land Surveyors.

2.   A property description, if required.

3.   A surveyor's inspection report or other required and agreed-on documents.

G.  WHAT IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR'S WORK?

1.   Request the surveyor to explain and answer your questions about your survey.

2.   If you have a serious complaint, contact the State Board.

H.  WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY PROPERTY LINES AND MONUMENTS?

1.   Inspect your property lines occasionally.

2.   Repaint monuments, marked trees, or other markers frequently.

3.   Maintain and protect your survey plats and other related documents.

I.  CAUTIONS FOR LANDOWNERS

1.   Do not mistake preliminary traverse lines for the true property lines.

2.   Do not move or relocate monuments; to do so is a violation of the law.

3.   Select only a registered Professional/Registered Land Surveyor to do your surveying work; a  surveyor who is not registered in a state cannot legally survey for the public in that state.

4.   Select a Professional/Registered Land Surveyor based on proven qualifications and references.

5.   Contact and engage the services of a Professional/Registered Land Surveyor well before the survey is needed.