FAQs

Q: Should You Have Your Land Surveyed Before buying a property?

A: You should hire a land surveyor when purchasing a property, buying a home, or performing construction on a plot of land. A land survey reveals critical information about the property, including easements, encroachments, and boundary points.

Q: How Much Does a Survey Cost on Long Island?

A: Residents can pay anywhere between $300 and $1,000+ for a land survey. Essentially, the more acreage, travel, and fieldwork needed to complete your survey, the higher the price. The further a professional must travel to get to the location, the more you will pay for your survey. We also offer free quotes for property owners to understand their final survey cost.

Q: How Much Does a Land Survey Cost?

A: The cost of a land survey depends on:

• The type of land survey requested.
• The amount of travel required.
• The acreage and age of your property.
• The type of terrain on your parcel of land.
• The amount of field research necessary to complete your survey.
• Any special requests you need for your permit.

Q: Who Pays for a Land Survey: The Buyer or Seller?

A: There is no legal requirement stipulating who must pay for a land survey. Therefore, the general rule of thumb is that the party who needs the report is the one who must pay for it. If a prospective property buyer wants a land survey, then they will have to cover the costs.

Q: Do I need a survey in order to build?

A: Yes. A survey provides vital information about property boundaries, overlaps, and other features that affect the property lines.

Q: How are the property’s corners usually marked?

A: With iron rods or sometimes iron piping. Wood stakes can be used too, but these are being replaced now with an iron option. There are tied off with pink or orange flagging tape around the top. Normally the closest tree is marked as well; this is how surveying was conducted historically.

Q: Are the property lines marked?

A: Yes, most often with flagging tape. Sometimes flagging twine is used, and it is almost always a florescent pink or orange color.

Q: Do I need a licensed surveyor?

A: Yes. They need to have a certified license in the state in which they are surveying. You should always ask to see their certificate of registration to avoid fraud and bigger problems later.

Q: Should I have my property surveyed prior to building a fence?

A: Yes. It is a good idea to know the exact property lines around which to build the fence. This will cause fewer headaches with the neighbors.

Q: What is the average cost of a surveyor?

A: The price will vary. It depends on location and how hard it is to access your land, but the normal price will range between $400.00 and $1,500.00. This range is for an average sized lot, around ¾ of an acre; larger lots will cost considerably more.

Q: How does surveying provide accurate property lines?

A: A surveyor will use latitude and longitude to find the exact property corners. They also use key land features in the area to determine your property lines.

Q: How would I know if the property was already surveyed?

A: You can always look at the deed and title research to locate any documents that would show a previous, professional survey. Chances are if there is, or has been, a home or structure on the property, then it was surveyed. Just check to make sure the survey does not need to be updated.