Midwestern Consulting

Save Money on Boundary Surveys

Surveyors spend a significant amount of time each day estimating the cost of boundary surveys for prospective clients.  I have many clients call and ask how much I charge for a boundary survey as if they all cost the same standard rate.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  There are several factors that can affect the cost of a boundary survey such as:

            Size and shape of the parcel

            Legal description

            Terrain (hills, wooded, or open)

            Location of the parcel

            History of surveys in the surrounding area

            Boundary evidence available

            Previous surveys preformed by the surveyor in the surrounding area

When preparing an estimate for a boundary survey the surveyor must first obtain a copy of the legal description of the property to be surveyed.  The legal description is usually provided to the surveyor by the prospective client.  The legal description tells the surveyor how to survey the parcel and indicates where to start the survey.  It also establishes the boundary lines from the starting point using bearings and distances or calls to physical monumentation such as roads, rivers, and government section lines. 

Depending on how the legal description is written the surveyor could be required to determine the boundaries of a large tract of land before establishing the boundaries of the clients parcel.  One example of such a legal description is, “The south 5.00 acres of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 15, Ann Arbor Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan”.  In this example the surveyor would be required to survey the limits of the entire section 15 which is approximately 640 acres to determine where the boundaries of the 5.00 acres parcel are!

Next the surveyor would review his survey records of the surrounding area. Information on one of his previous surveys will assist in preparing the new survey which can lower the overall cost of the survey.  Also, other important information can be obtained from the surveyor records like the history of surveying in the area.  Some areas are lacking existing property irons and government section corners and are prone to boundary conflicts.  These sorts of issues can significantly increase the cost of the survey.

The surveyor will look at the location (travel distance), size of the parcel, and the type of terrain on the parcel.  A surveyor needs to be able to see from point to point to do his job.  If the parcel has hills or is covered in trees and brush the surveyor’s job is more difficult.

Cost estimates for boundary surveys can vary greatly due to these factors.  Most surveyors don’t charge a fee for preparing a boundary survey estimate.  They just need the time to do a little research before providing the quote.

By Patrick Hastings, PS, principal, Midwestern Consulting, LLC.  Contact Pat at 734.995.0200.

Surveying underground utilities is complex and very challenging for the surveyor.  The owner can help speed up the survey process by sharing his knowledge of site utility details.

Most proposed developments require an existing conditions survey.  One of the most important items the civil engineer will need to prepare is a constructible set of plans for the location of underground utilities like sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main.  Public utilities such as gas, electric, fiber optic, telephone and cable are also critical to a successful survey.  Most of these utilities are placed on the existing conditions survey by the surveyor. 

The surveyor will use above ground evidence such as manholes, gate valves, hydrants, cleanouts and MISS DIG flags located in the field survey to plot the location of the utilities.  Utility records obtained from municipalities and public utility companies are also utilized and compared to the field evidence to develop an accurate location for each utility line.  But sometimes physical evidence is not enough.

Many surveyors do not review the finished survey with the property owner of the proposed site.  This is a mistake.  The property owner can be an invaluable source for the surveyor because most property owners are intimately familiar with the locations of utilities on their property.   

Surveyors should always include a review of the existing conditions survey with the property owner prior starting their design.  Such a meeting will provide the surveyor with site details that may not show up on official records and help make the site survey process go more smoothly and efficiently.