Understanding the Time and Resources Behind Land Surveys
A boundary survey involves multiple, complex steps, which
contribute to both the time and cost involved. Here’s a detailed breakdown of
why a land survey, particularly a boundary survey, costs so much:
A Detailed Breakdown of the Four Key Steps Involved in Conducting a Boundary Survey
Overview:
A boundary survey is a meticulous and resource-intensive process that requires time, expertise, and equipment. This text breaks down the four essential steps involved: research, fieldwork, analysis, and reporting. Each step involves careful investigation, including locating deeds, finding physical survey markers, and resolving conflicts using legal principles. The thoroughness of these steps, combined with the complexity of the land and surrounding properties, explains why boundary surveys can be both time-consuming and costly.
‘1. ‘Research Stage’
The first step in
any boundary survey is researching the property’s legal history. This involves
gathering and reviewing ‘deeds, plats, and conveyances’ related to the
property. The goal here is to understand the historical boundaries and
ownership transitions of the land. After collecting these written documents,
the surveyor must plot them digitally to create a ‘mosaic’ that represents the
property’s layout over time. This research can be time-consuming, especially if
the documents are old or hard to find.
‘2. ‘Field Work’
Once the research
is complete, the surveyor proceeds to the ‘field survey’. This stage requires
physical inspection of the property to find markers (known as ‘monuments’) that
define the boundaries. Monuments can include physical objects like ‘rebar,
bearing trees’, or markers placed by previous surveyors. The time spent in the
field varies greatly depending on how easily these monuments are located. In
some cases, it may take only a few hours; in others, it can take several days,
particularly if the markers are difficult to find or missing. In some cases,
surveyors also need to survey adjacent properties to get an accurate picture,
further adding to the time and resources required.
‘3. ‘Analysis of Evidence’
After gathering the
data from both the research and fieldwork, the next step is to ‘analyze the
evidence’. This is crucial because different pieces of evidence can sometimes
conflict with one another. For example, natural monuments (like rivers or
trees) are given higher priority than man-made ones (like fences), and legal
precedents guide how conflicting information should be resolved. Weighing these
factors carefully ensures that the boundary determination is accurate and
legally defensible. This step often requires careful application of ‘legal
principles of land surveying’.
‘4. ‘Reporting and Map Creation’
Finally, the
surveyor must communicate their findings through a ‘survey map’ and a ‘written
survey report’. The map is a graphical representation of the surveyed boundary,
while the report explains the methods and reasoning behind the surveyor’s
conclusions. Creating accurate and detailed reports and maps takes time to
ensure all the work is properly documented and that the client has a clear
understanding of the survey’s results.
‘Time and Cost Factors:
Each of these steps can take ‘anywhere from a few hours to
several days’, depending on the complexity of the property and the surrounding
area. Research can be tedious if the documentation is incomplete or outdated,
while fieldwork is variable depending on the landscape and the availability of
visible monuments. Finally, the analysis and reporting require precision and
adherence to legal standards.
In summary, a boundary survey is expensive and
time-consuming because it involves detailed research, extensive fieldwork,
careful legal analysis, and thorough documentation—all of which are essential
for ensuring accurate and reliable boundary determinations.
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