Researching Your Land – 10 Tips for Renting One

Global Courant

In my nearly 25 years as a surveyor, I have been approached by thousands of property owners wanting to have their land surveyed. All too often they make their decisions based on just one factor, price; which often leads to dissatisfaction with their choice and sometimes to a less than qualitative research. Developed from my experience, the following 10 tips will help you hire the right professional surveyor to survey your land.

1. Does the person you hire have a license to perform surveying services?

• Professional surveyors must be licensed by the state in which they work or provide services. If you hire someone to survey your state who isn’t qualified to legally survey in the state you live in, you’re throwing your money away and that person is breaking the law. If in doubt, contact your state’s licensing agency to confirm that this person is a licensed professional surveyor.

2. Does this person have professional liability insurance?

• This is insurance, such as medical malpractice insurance, that protects you if the professional surveyor makes a mistake. Surveyors are no different from any other human being and they can make mistakes in their professional abilities. Would you go to a doctor or have surgery done knowing that the doctor or surgeon had no malpractice insurance?

3. Does this person or company have workers compensation insurance?

• Every state is different, and not all states may require it: But who is responsible if the person you hire, or their employees, are hurt or injured while surveying your land? If this type of insurance is required in your state, make sure the person or company you hire to survey your state has this insurance and is in compliance with your state law.

4. Does this person have experience performing the services you require?

• In general, there are no recognized specialties within the surveyor profession, but make sure if you hire a professional surveyor to do a boundary survey, for example, that they are experienced in boundary surveys. Some surveyors may focus on the following areas: construction layout, topographic surveys, maps, geodetic surveys, land use and boundary surveys. Therefore, if you need a professional surveyor for a boundary dispute, and the person you want to hire is primarily involved in construction stakeout, hire another professional who has experience with boundary surveys. Also ask how long this person has been working as a professional surveyor. Only hire an experienced professional surveyor to survey your land.

5. Is this person in continuing education?

• Professionals closely follow technological and professional developments. It is the experience gained from years of professional practice and love of learning that makes a true professional. The professional surveyor you hire to survey your land should be knowledgeable and value continuing education.

6. Does this person have a professional demeanor?

• Do they have a professional appearance and do they treat you professionally. This is all about respecting you and starts with your first call and interaction. If they don’t behave professionally, they probably won’t be professional in researching your country. Do they answer calls and emails immediately? Are they willing, even enthusiastic, to take the time to explain to you how a survey is conducted? Do their office and vehicles look neat, organized and professional? I’m not talking about extravagant or expensive (what you pay for); just neat, organized and professional.

7. Do they use modern equipment?

• With all the technological advancements you have seen in recent years, such as in personal computers, the surveying industry has also seen incredible advancements in technologies and techniques. We can now use a wide variety of technologies, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Robotic Survey Systems and Laser Scanning, to name a few, that provide greater precision, accuracy and efficiency. Hire a professional surveyor who has and will invest in advanced technologies to continuously improve their work resulting in cost savings for you. You may not be familiar with some of these tools or what they are called, so ask if they include “AutoCAD Civil 3D,” “Robotic Total Stations,” and “Survey Grade GPS,” for example.

8. Apply for a written contract and when do you have to pay?

• A surveyor should be more than willing to provide a written contract outlining their services and what you will be charged. Also ask when payment is due. It is common for surveyors to receive at least half of the full fee up front, depending on your creditworthiness and whether you are a first-time customer. They may accept credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa. If you and your professional surveyor are clear about the scope of work, fees and when payment is expected, everyone will be on the same page.

9. What is placed on the corners of your properties?

• The reason you hire a surveyor to survey your land is to determine the size or perimeter of the property. If the corners of the property are not marked, how do you know? And if it isn’t marked with permanent markers, which are likely to last for many years, what good is it? Never accept wooden posts as property markers unless they are temporary due to an extenuating circumstance, such as impending ground improvement or nearby construction, plastic flags dangling from a branch, or vague statements when the survey is supposedly complete, such as “almost the post “, “by the mailbox” or “under the bush”. Suitable permanent markers include plastic stakes, iron rods, iron pipes, rebar, railroad spikes, magnetic nails and other nails in paved areas, drilled holes in boulders or stone walls, concrete and granite borders.

10. Will they walk around the property with you?

• While conducting a survey, your surveyor will place many independent control markers and find many existing monuments; not all of these may be on the corners of your property. It can be confusing at first. So make sure the professional surveyor is willing to walk you through your property to identify the actual landmarks and markers that mark your property corners.

Finally, the above 10 tips for hiring a professional surveyor to survey your land is so that you can find an experienced professional surveyor who will give you value and quality. Your land is too valuable not to hire the best professional surveyor and have the best relationship with this professional from the start.

Researching Your Land – 10 Tips for Renting One

World News,Next Big Thing in Public Knowledg