Why is surveying so expensive?

A Licensed Professional Land Surveyor can provide an estimation of costs with a little help from you. First you must provide the surveyor with a copy of your Warranty Deed which contains the land description so that they can offer a accurate estimate. Survey estimates can vary depending on a multitude of factors such as size of parcel, terrain, location, level of detail required, etc. so it is difficult to estimate exact fees in advance. We do not provide costs per corner estimates.  Instead, we invite you to come in and sit down with one of our surveyors.  They can tailor a survey to meet your specific needs. The following is a list of various factors that can effect the cost of a survey.

Type of Survey: Each type of survey requires a different scope. The cost of a survey may increase as to the type of survey that is required.

Research/Records Search: Land surveys often require a records search on the parcel of land. This step can sometimes become complicated by the way past land transactions have been handled, often times resulting in incomplete, vague and in some cases contradictory land records and legal descriptions.

Shape and Size of Property: Rectangular parcels of land generally are cheaper to survey and contain less corner monuments than do irregular shaped parcels containing the same amount of land.

Existing Evidence on Property: Existing evidence such as stone, wood or iron monuments, fences and occupational lines, witness trees, etc. help the surveyor. The absence of such existing evidence may make it difficult for the surveyor to retrace the original survey.

Terrain: Mountainous terrain is generally more difficult to survey than a level parcel of land

Accessibility: The location of the parcel from our office plays part in the amount of time that it takes to perform the survey work. This includes the distance to the site and any difficultly in reaching the Public Land Corners.

Time of Year: In the winter, travel time may be hindered because of road conditions, this may effect travel time to the site. Winter weather may also conceal field evidence. Summer time foliage can also present access challenges to the site.

Vegetation: Brush, tree branches and in some cases small trees must sometimes be removed to allow the surveyor a clear line of sight when doing a survey. Residential landscaping and trees on home sites are normally undisturbed but may require additional time to survey around them.

Record of Survey Plat: If any corners are set which establish property lines, it is required by law that a plat of your survey be filed with the Country Surveyor in the county where your property is located. When a record of survey plat is necessary, the cost of the survey will be increased to account for the time it takes a draftsman to draw up the map after the field work is completed. A plat filing fee is also required by the county.