Boundary Surveying — A 3 Step Process

It's important that homeowners know exactly where the boundaries of their property are located. A boundary survey is a special tool used to help accurately locate property lines in preparation for home renovations or the sale of land. It can be helpful to understand the steps required to complete a boundary survey so that you will be prepared to navigate the process as needed in the future.

1. Research Record Documents

All boundary surveys begin with research. A survey company will take the time to research record documents pertaining to your property. These documents can include deeds, easements, past surveys, and plat records.

The information found within these documents provides the survey company with a reference point when it comes to the identification of your property boundaries. Without adequate research, a boundary survey may be inaccurate.

2. Survey the Property

Once the research process has been completed, a surveyor will be dispatched to your property to begin the actual surveying process. A surveyor will first attempt to locate monuments on your property. Monuments are essential permanent markers used to identify the corners of a building lot.

The surveyor will need to determine if the monuments are in the correct positions. If the monuments appear to have been moved or are missing, the surveyor will set new ones based on the historical data uncovered during the research phase of the process. A comprehensive plat map will then be drawn up, showing the boundaries of the property that has been surveyed.

3. File the Plat Map

After the plat map has been drawn up and checked for errors, the survey company will need to file this map with the proper government authorities. Plat maps are typically filed with city, county, and state officials to ensure the legality of these documents.

The plat map becomes a part of the record documents for your property once it has been reviewed and accepted by a government official. Any future disputes regarding property lines will be resolved using the most recent plat map on file. 

Accurate boundary surveys are critical in establishing ownership over a property. Survey companies take a three-step approach to completing boundary surveys in order to ensure the accuracy of these surveys. Be sure that your survey company is willing to research all previous records pertaining to your property, complete a thorough survey, and file a plat map with the right authorities when investing in a boundary survey. Reach out to a professional who provides boundary surveying to learn more.