Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of a survey can vary depending on what you want done during your survey, the size of the tract(s) you want surveyed, on the amount of research required, the time frame of the survey and the overall amount of work required for the job.

2. How long does a survey take?

There is no set time frame for a survey. A survey should take as long as needed. Our company will expedite a job at request, however this has additional fees due to the nature of the request and its implications.

3. What type of survey do I need?

This depends on the reason for the survey.

A Boundary Survey: Where all corners are found and marked along with all boundary lines.

A Topographic Survey: Where elevations and contours are shown on a plat along with other typical survey data.

An Elevation Certificate: An administrative tool used by the NFIP to provide elevation information required to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances; to inform mitigation actions that will lower flood risk; and/or support a request for a LOMA to remove a building from a high-risk flood area.

ALTA: This is a detailed survey typically required by lending institutions. The request for this must be accompanied by a list of requirements and documents which must be supplied by the entity requesting the ALTA which can be found on Table A of the 2021-Minimum-Standard-Detail-Requirements-for-ALTA-NSPS-Land-Title-Surveys. Click here for the ALTA survey documents.

Site Plan Survey: This survey uses a boundary and topographic survey as a base to design for a house, a residential subdivision, a store, a shopping center, a new street or highway, a playground, or anything else.

4. What should I expect when the crew is at my property/job site?

Our scheduling prevents us from being able to inform clients of when a survey crew will be on the site in advance, therefore we are unable to give a scheduled time to meet the crew. Requesting a specific day may mean that your survey will get delayed due to the specific nature of the request.

5. Typical Survey Lingo

Plat - A 2D map made from survey data

Pin, Stob, pipe, stone, Rebar-Typical words used for describing property corners

GIS - Geographic Information System (Used to research public land records)

Adjoiner - Neighboring piece of property, shared by at least one corner

Total Station - An instrument used to accurately measure distances, angles, slopes, elevations, etc.

GPS - Global Positioning System

Benchmark (BM) - Used for elevation control (Typical in construction, elevation certificates, site)

Preliminary - A map indicating the proposed layout of a subdivision or site showing

lots, streets, water, sewer, storm drainage, and any other improvements which are not finalized and may need revision.