Land surveyors

[kdibattista]

I wanted to get a land surveyor to mark our property because we are getting a fence put up and I wanted to make sure we are within our property lines. Well... I just called and it's $600!!! That seems really, really expensive. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is that reasonable??

 

[RangerPooh]

This isn't a bad price. I think that it's the norm. We paid about that to have our land surveyed. My FIL were quoted $1000 which I said for that I'd go and do it. I've done surveying in school and I told them I'd rent the equipment for cheaper.

 

[JennInTN]

Sounds about right.
But it never hurts to call around.

 

[phillybeth]

It's based on the dimensions of your property, and includes research into your deed and a plan signed by a licensed (state-certified) surveyor. $600 is not a bad price for this area for the 'typical' size suburban property.

 

[missypie]

If you have a mortgage by a traditional lender (bank, mortgage company), then a survey exisits. Go through the papers you got when you closed. If you can't find it, call the title company that closed the loan and ask that they send you a copy. If you need an update, the company that did the original survey should charge less than a new surveyor.

 

[phillybeth]

If you have a mortgage by a traditional lender (bank, mortgage company), then a survey exists.

Not necessarily- not all muncipalities, counties, or townships require a survey for a title transfer. They could just be going by the information on the original deed. In many cases, there will not have been a survey of the property since the home was built.

BTW, Thank you for having your property surveyed before having the fence installed! My DH is a surveyor and has had to mediate way too many property line disputes over the years.

 

[kadaten]

Seems high to me! We've bought/sold 3 times in the last 6 years and the survey has run $250-350 each time. That included physically marking the property with flags at each corner, as well as the official survey on paper that was required by the mortgage company. I'd at least call around.... But the going rate is going to vary in your area and possibly by size of your property (ours ranged from a townhouse-sized yard to 1/3 acre....so not much variation there.....but if you're talking multiple acres, it will probably be more).

 

[Lyn5]

Not necessarily- not all muncipalities, counties, or townships require a survey for a title transfer. They could just be going by the information on the original deed. In many cases, there will not have been a survey of the property since the home was built.

BTW, Thank you for having your property surveyed before having the fence installed! My DH is a surveyor and has had to mediate way too many property line disputes over the years.

Part of the reason for the price is the liability and legal responsibility that the surveyor has. Around here, surveyors are so busy, plus there aren't too many, you would be lucky to get someone to take a look at your property that fast. Good luck with your new fence

 

[missypie]

I wan't saying that the CITY requires a survey...I was saying that LENDERS require surveys. I don't know of a single conventional lender who will make a mortgage loan without a survey.

 

[golfgal]

I wan't saying that the CITY requires a survey...I was saying that LENDERS require surveys. I don't know of a single conventional lender who will make a mortgage loan without a survey.

They are not required by anyone in our town. We have owned 3 houses in this town and have never had to have a survey done. One house we owned in South Dakota had to have a plat drawing done but not a survey (I guess it is slightly different). I don't know of any town in our area that does require them and if the town doesn't require it then the lenders don't ask for one either.

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks everyone!!!! I guess I was just a bit shell shocked. We bought the house last February and did not need a surveyor (at least not that I am aware of). I do have all the "coordinates"... I just need someone to turn it into English .

The former owner and our current neighbors have given us a pretty good idea but it's a bit unknown as to how far back we go since we back up to woods. The last thing I want to do is spend all the money for the fence and have to tear it down later.

Thanks again!!!

 

[phillybeth]

I wan't saying that the CITY requires a survey...I was saying that LENDERS require surveys. I don't know of a single conventional lender who will make a mortgage loan without a survey.

My mortgage is through Countrywide, and we did not have to have a survey before we purchased our home. The information on the deed was enough.

 

[Lyn5]

In regards to getting a survey done before purchasing a property, I think a lot depends on the mortgage company (and how much risk they are willing to take), the title company that is issues the insurance on the title, the type of property (improved/unimproved, commercial/residential) and how recently the property was created (new subdivision for example) as well as how the current and previous deed exhibits were done and how the property was created (and/or recorded) in your state. I don't think that it is a one-size-fits-all type of action.

To the OP, I think it is a great idea that you have spoken to your neighbors and the former owner...by sure to pass on that verbal information to whomever you hire.

 

[sweet angel]

That price sounds about average for this area. It could run even more if you wanted corner markers set (they charge per marker -- markers are not just sticks with flags, they are permanent concrete markers).

For those who have mortgages but say they didn't get surveys, it's possible that the lender accepted a Survey Affidavit from the prior owner which basically attaches to an old survey a statement from the owners attesting to the fact that nothing has changed.

 

[froglady]

As someone who was involved in a survey dispute which cost us $15,000 -20,000 out of pocket, and our title insurance company at least 3Xs that (we had to hire an attorney to force the title insurance company to pay to protect our title) I would pay for the BEST surveyor in town, regardless of the price. We used the surveyor who had done the previous survey; our new neighbor had a different surveyor, and the property lines did not agree. Our well and most of our driveway ended up on the other side of the WALL he erected. I wouldn't wish what we went through for almost 5 years on anyone.