How to find and qualify a surveyor?

[Wayne02]

Looks like I may have a border dispute brewing and it is probably time I got this place surveyed. The place is about 40 years old, we have been here 18 years and I can find no county, bank, title company, or mortgage documents that indicate the east/west property line length, nor can I find any corner markers (although I have not tried the metal detector method yet). I have the legal description of course but that is of no practical value to me for this purpose.

I am wondering how to best go about selecting a surveyor? Ask for references, check the BBB, and what else? With the massive growth around here I suspect I may find it hard to get somebody in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks

[Peace n Quiet]

Sorry to hear you are having troubles... neighbor disputes are no fun.
Try calling your County planning commission, get their recommendation. Then call your County Assessment office and talk to the mapper. They see so many deed descriptions and surveys come through, they can tell you who is the most reliable.
Good luck.

[Obser]

A title company or real estate attorney or a good rural realtor can identify reliable surveyors (if they will).

[Hoop]

I've got a question regarding surveyors. My mother needs the services of a surveyor to legally plot & subdivide some lake property.
I suspect it will cost in the neighborhood of $5000 - $10000.

The existing house will be platted with x number of feet of lake frontage. Then 2 additional lots will be surveyed & platted. The services of a surveyor are a legal requirement for subdivisions in the township.

When one engages the services of a surveyor, is it customary for the client to sign a contract/agreement with the surveyor? Certainly I'd have to think approximate costs and an approximate date of completion would be addressed.

[Terminus]

Here is a link to a commercial site on land surveying. It can answer some qeneric questions, and has links to for many state specfic, non-commercial internet sites.

http://www.landsurveyor.us

Asking around the county offices may not be much help, as often department policy forbids employees from giving referrals, better to ask freinds and neighbors if any of them have used a surveyor and what they thought of them.

[Wayne02]

Originally Posted by Terminus

Here is a link to a commercial site on land surveying. It can answer some qeneric questions, and has links to for many state specfic, non-commercial internet sites.

http://www.landsurveyor.us

Asking around the county offices may not be much help, as often department policy forbids employees from giving referrals, better to ask freinds and neighbors if any of them have used a surveyor and what they thought of them.

Thanks, that site said there was one outfit in my area and they would be contacting me. I guess I crack open the yellow pages as well.

[DianeWV]

One might would want to find a professional licensed surveyor who currently and actively specializes in boundary surveys. Even though surveyors are licensed for land surveying, many may choose to do one particular area such as construction control, pipeline/utility layout,mapping, gas/oil well staking, as well as, boundary surveys, etc. Maybe you could find out amongst your friends or people who live in the area, a name of a surveyor who has surveyed there. If possible, it would be very cost effective for you to find out if any of the adjoining lands around you have been surveyed, and try to get that surveyor. If all else fails, I would not be afraid to go to the yellow pages. I also would not be hesitant to shop around for the best price. Just because a surveyor has higher prices, doesn't always mean you get a more accurate survey in my opinion. When you decide upon one, I would look for the surveyor to give you a specific "COST WILL NOT EXCEED $_________." This should eliminate any financial surprises. I wish you luck and hope your boundary dilemna doesn't become stressful. Take Care.