Although a land survey may seem tedious and unnecessary, actually there are several cases in which you should have your land surveyed, to save confusion or legal troubles later.

When you have two surveys done, they'll often have slight differences, because land surveying is as much a skill as a science. Measurements are always subject to error. In land surveying, these measurements tend to be taken from landmarks such as fence posts; in two separate surveys, the same landmarks will not be available, or may have shifted.

A land surveyor will research the documents available about your land, including titles and previous surveys. Then, they'll physically measure the property, and check these dimensions against the previous records to get any discrepancies. Land surveyors may also use electronic equipment, GPS positioning, or other devices to determine the boundaries of one's property.

You should always look at a new land survey if you are buying a piece of real estate. Despite the fact that many mortgage companies or title insurance companies do not require one, it really is still smart to have a survey done. You ought to know of any boundary discrepancies which could affect the value of your property before purchasing it. Any disputes concerning the boundaries of the house ought to be settled before you agree to purchase it, or you can be set for a legal headache later.

You may also want to consider having a land survey done if you are planning to sell your property. It is especially important in areas where road access is questionable. Determining the status of roads onto your land can help your realtor determine how marketable the property is. Shoreline footage and acreage are two more selling points that may be measured by way of a land survey. Land Surveyors Bristol might devote an offer that is contingent on a survey; when you have the survey done in advance, you can save time and raise the chances of selling your premises quickly.

Before building a shed, fence, or other structure on the edges of your land, consider having a land surveyor mark the precise edges of your property. That way, you can be assured that you will be not building on your own neighbor's land, and you may assure yourself that you will be not fencing out any land that's actually yours. That is especially important when creating a house or other large, permanent structure. There are lots of things to bear in mind when situating this type of building, including easements, setbacks, along with other requirements which will be marked on your own new land survey. Do not let your contractor or builder determine where to place this structure, because they will most likely not be any longer aware of your boundaries than you're.

Conversely, if your neighbor is building such a structure and you believe it to be on your own property, have a land survey completed. This can be a first rung on the ladder towards resolving the issue and ensuring that your land remains yours to use.


Utilizing an outdated survey to determine either of these matters puts you at a disadvantage. Newer measuring techniques, including GPS, imply that newer surveys would be the most accurate. Some areas, especially rural land, have not been surveyed because the nineteenth century, and therefore in many cases neighbors may be unknowingly encroaching on each other's land.