Disputes concerning land ownership and boundaries are getting rather common and getting updated about authentic land surveys is the right policy. A proper survey is essential, especially during the buying and selling of land property, construction, or when disputes arise. The recent 3D surveys are most realistic for a thorough understanding of topographical features in their entirety. The chosen property survey company should utilize modern technology like GPS and drones for aerial surveys. Such methods ensure the accuracy of surveys.
Compared to tiny urban construction plots, which are the norm, larger land areas in smaller cities and towns present far greater challenges. The possibility of illegal structures is greater in remoteness without law enforcement to check what is going on.
Home extensions and the 3D advantage
While seeking a home extension, a 3D property survey includes physical measurements and tallies with the Building Information Modeling system. The building and surroundings reflect clearly and vividly, and engineers get a 3D vision to great advantage. Compared to a flat map of the land, 3D works in far greater detail and accuracy. Every land feature, like depressions, is clearly understood. Planning and construction work better and mistakes may not occur. Redesigning if something goes amiss can cost a lot of money. Approvals for building plans find greater success with 3D surveys with their extensive features and copious details.
In case a land survey dispute does occur, you need to protect your rights meaningfully. Seek professional help with a real estate attorney or land surveyor. A mediator could also find a solution acceptable to both sides.
Residential or Commercial, similar disputes may arise
Encroachments, intentionally or otherwise, could happen when a structure extends into an adjacent property.
Improper surveys using older systems may not exactly demarcate land boundaries and the result may be a case in court.
Imprecise or vague legal deeds confuse the areas and boundaries referred to.
Strange as it may seem, natural changes like erosion or changing waterways could result in altered property limits.
Locating the Right Property Survey Company
As a preventive to potential disputes arising now or in the future, locating the ideal survey company may take a while. Avoid hurrying unless the circumstances require urgent action. Decide to communicate with several surveyors to seek quotations for the job at hand rather than jump at the first company contacted. Hopefully, communicating with several companies would result in getting the right price.
While talking it over with company representatives online by chat, on the phone or in person, ask about the variety of services offered. If it is a comprehensive range of services, that should be encouraging. Do they carry out topographic surveys meant for land planning? Boundary surveys specify legal boundaries.
ALTA indicates a more detailed survey with land ownership details and a Mortgage Survey is similar. An ALTA Land Title Survey is among the requirements to buy or sell private or commercial property. A Subdivision Survey shows the boundaries of a divided existing property. Whether a site is appropriate for construction is the function of a Construction Survey. An as-built survey compares drawings with the construction to check whether they tally. A Location Survey records any changes made to a property.
Going one step further, check for reviews and references that are nowadays consulted even for small purchases! Online reviews may be found in plenty but do not forget that they could be manipulated. If clients are consulted for references, that should be convincing about the company’s reliability and achievements. It is an age-old practice to seek recommendations.
Going local applies in a big way to the land survey question and generally with every issue. Starting local and then going global is often cited. Knowing local laws and regulations would be a great advantage. Such a surveyor would know, understand, and feel deeply about the common problems in the area.
Legally speaking, the survey company should be registered professionally, maybe with the National Society of Professional Surveyors. Such a registration ensures a certain high industry standard and adherence to protocols. It may be implied that the work would be systematic and professional with no deficiencies or legal issues.
How to prevent land survey disputes
Insist upon a new survey before buying or selling land. The survey should specify boundaries. Use markers like fences to indicate the boundaries.
Intensely study legal documents and read between the lines. Is everything mentioned clearly, or does vagueness arise in some parts? Get the doubts cleared up with the concerned authorities and seek legal advice.
Establish communication with neighbors and property owners in proximity and talk over any potential disputes that could arise in the future.
Knowing the grim possibilities of neglecting or going wrong may help you choose the most appropriate property survey company wisely.
