Land surveying is very important for anyone looking to purchase a new piece of land. This allows you to get an understanding of the property lines and terrain. This is important to help prevent any problems down the line. Land surveying isn’t about just drawing property boundaries on a map. It is much more involved, using special tools to ensure that the buyer knows exactly what they’re getting.
Land Surveying
Land surveying is the measurement of land. A combination of tech and mathematics are used to find points on a property and measure distances between them. These points can help maps be drawn with accurate property lines and legal boundaries. The equipment used can vary including robotic total stations, surveying software, GPS receivers, radios and more.
Why is Land Surveying Important?
Most developments will require a site survey done before they get started with any construction. This helps them not only determine the property lines, but also the contour of the land that they are working with to help with building design.
Surveys should be done before a piece of property is purchased to show the exact property lines. This will help prevent discrepancies later on. A land survey will need to be done if there is conflict regarding boundaries and there wasn’t one previously done. It will also need to be arranged if you intend on dividing your property and selling a piece of land.
Additionally, some lenders may require a land survey before approving a home or property loan.
What Happens When You Need a Land Survey?
Land surveys will always need to be done by a professional surveyor. They will be able to advise as to the type of survey that needs to be done. You should give them as many details regarding the property as possible, including previous survey reports, maps and title reports. The land surveyor may also need written permission and a retainer before starting work.
The time it takes to complete the survey will vary. It depends on how much work is involved in obtaining all the data they need, and the time it takes to do this is often tough to predict. Costs will vary too, depending on how difficult the job is, taking into consideration how big the piece of land is, any monument to consider and time it takes to prepare maps.
What Do Land Surveyors Do?
A land surveyor will use a variety of tools and calculations to determine boundaries and contours of the land. Professional surveyors go through years of education and training to become a licensed or registered surveyor. They must adhere to Australian Industry Standards, learned about in their studies, to deliver the best practice possible and to be able to work with others in the building industry effectively.
After obtaining the right paperwork and information as previously mentioned, a land surveyor will use tech such as GPS, aerial and terrestrial scanners and robotic total stations (RTS) to map out the land. An RTS provides surveyors with more accurate measurements than ever and in a quicker time too. They will then take this data gathered from the site and create accurate maps and descriptions of the property for developers/property owners using specialised software.
Land surveyors can work on a huge range of projects. They type of surveying you need can differ, but a professional will be able to advise as to which one you need for your development.
Benefits of Having a Professional Land Surveyor
Many people are put off hiring a land surveyor and put it down to an unnecessary cost, however, it is required in most cases and comes with a lot of benefits. Land surveyors play a key part in any development and not having one could be an expensive mistake.
With a surveyor, you will get accurate measurements and records professionally done that you would not otherwise be able to get. If you ever were to encounter conflict over land boundaries, the land surveyor will be considered an expert witness.
Land surveys will also help developers determine the best layout for their plans.
