Not every homeowner knows every aspect of the land their home is on. And even if they do, there are other reasons to turn to a professional land surveyor in order to complete a survey. At Arek Surveying, we pride ourselves on offering a wide selection of surveys for our clients. So if there is a type of survey you need, our professional team can do the job. Here are 10 common reasons property owners hire someone for land surveying.
Arguably the most common reason someone seeks out a licensed surveyor is for the location of property boundary lines and other lines on a given property. These legal boundaries of occupancy or possession are critical pieces of information to have before building a fence, paving a driveway, or adding a sunroom among other reasons. It is surprising how often a land survey shows that you and your neighbors were operating under the wrong assumption. Both parties might have the placement of the boundary line between your and your neighbor's property wrong, which can lead to issues. The boundary line certification will also tell you whether the legal description of your property is accurate. In the end, this information is essential for many things, including disclosures to mortgage lenders and mortgage surveys. It is also crucial that this information accurately reflects the size of your parcel of land, as it is recorded in your property deed. Lastly, it is critical information for property surveyors, too.
You may know whether your property is residential or light industrial, but you may be surprised to discover that your zoning classification specifically restricts your property use. This part of the survey simply reports your zoning jurisdiction and classification. Once survey is complete, you can consult an attorney about whether you are using your property in conformance with zoning ordinances or not. An attorney can also offer other advice about the legal ramifications of your property survey.
The surveyor will usually certify that the buildings and other improvements, alterations, and repairs to your property at the time of the survey do not violate laws or other restrictions. Common restrictions on residential property include:
During the survey, the surveyor will also tell you if your latest improvement violates a local ordinance or other law. This will put you on notice that a change is in order.
A property survey will show all the conditions imposed by law reflected in your property's title report, as well as other agreements. For example, if your property blocks your neighbor's access to the road, an old agreement, also called an easement, may give your neighbor the right to walk across your yard to the street. Since they need to be able to get to the road. This is information that needs to be in the public record for a variety or reasons and should show in property records. This way everyone on or near the property has an understanding of the situation.
The typical survey reports visible or surface waters only. Other professional inspections likely cover underground waters and wetlands. At Arek Surveying, we offer clients the chance to get a Wetlands Delineation Location Survey in order to make sure they follow the guidelines.
Unknown to you or your next-door neighbor, you may have an obligation by law to support your neighbor's driveway by maintaining your own. This may lead to boundary disputes, so you will want legal documents to back yourself up. A property survey is one way to know for sure how to operate and act on the land.
There are a lot of aspects surrounding the home that impacts the survey. Water, electric, gas, telephone and telegraph pipes are all in it. As well as drains, pipes, wires, cables. vaults, manhole covers, lines and poles. Poles and above-ground wires are clear, but the surveyor also reports on any underground cables and drains. Your utility companies and municipality can give them this information. This information is essential for two reasons: A utility company may have the right to use part of your property to maintain utility lines and may have a say in how tall you let your trees grow. So, knowing the exact location of underground utilities is critical before any excavation or construction begins and why many construction projects require surveying done.
Overlaps, gores, and gaps are part of the boundary line certification. Most surveys include a statement that state there are no discrepancies between the property boundaries of your property and the adjoining property. This is especially pertinent if your property is next to roads, alleys or highways.
Every survey should state whether there is physical vehicular ingress and egress to an open public street. It may also specify the adequacy of access for a particular purpose, such as delivery trucks, emergency vehicles, and driveways for tenants.
It is unlikely that there is an old family burial ground in your backyard, but it has happened before. The survey will show the exact location of any old cemeteries on your plot.
Adjacent properties can be tricky even when things seem clear, which is why having a detailed and accurate property-boundary survey can help settle disputes and clear up future construction projects. Arek Surveying Company performs a wide variety of surveys for clients. For more information about our many surveying services, please reach out to us today. We will happily assist you with any questions you may have about the various surveys we provide and how they can be of use for your situation.
Confusion over where one property ends and the other begins is why having your property surveyed is a good idea. Get a professional survey completed today. You can select the type of survey, pay the survey cost, and have clarity about your plot of land. Our surveys are available in all New York and New Jersey Counties: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Westchester, Yonkers, Richmond, Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, Bergen, Essex, etc., including the NYC area as well.
