As you get ready to relocate, you may decide to build a custom home or buy a new house. Prior to getting started on construction, you'll need to set up a professional property survey, and if you're placing a bid on a residence, the seller will be responsible. Here's more about these reports and why they're needed before a new build or purchase.

What's a Property Survey?

A property survey, also known as a boundary or topographic survey, determines the legal borders of a lot. It may also include a sketch of the land and various elements that comprise the property, such as natural features and elevations. 

A surveying company typically begins by researching the history and legal descriptions of the property. This can help them understand how the lot has changed over time, providing a complete sense of the land and improving accuracy. Next, they'll perform fieldwork, which consists of going out to the property and using tools such as 3D scanners, measuring tape, and theodolites, which measure angles between visible points on horizontal and vertical planes. 

This information permits them to generate a map of the property's legal boundaries. They'll also provide a written report that includes a description of the land, the locations of any existing structures and adjacent properties, and suggestions on improvements homeowners might make before buying a house or building on the lot. 

Why Do You Need a Survey?

Getting a property survey eliminates ambiguity about the locations of property lines. This can help you avoid common pitfalls, such as building a home, addition, pool, or fence that encroaches on a neighboring lot. Avoiding these issues may prevent you from getting into disputes with owners of adjacent properties. In addition to improving relations with your neighbors, this may keep you from dealing with legal disputes or paying municipal fines as a result of building outside the boundaries of your land. 

Additionally, you may need a property survey prior to taking out an insurance policy on a new home. This report can let your insurance company know if there are any encroachments on the property before you close the deal, which may safeguard you against financial losses caused by damages or defects associated with these encroachments.  

A property survey is also essential before starting construction or major renovations on a home. It can let you know where your lot ends and neighboring land begins, ensuring you build comfortably within these boundaries per local building codes. Additionally, this report may give you a better sense of your lot's topography, allowing you to schedule land clearing or grading services to remove vegetation and create a level surface before you build. 

If you're in need of a property survey, turn to the experts at Meridian Geomatics. This highly skilled team provides boundary and topographic surveys to clients throughout Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, and they're happy to walk you through the findings and any pertinent details that come up in their work. Call the Jasper, GA, office at (770) 675-6197 to schedule a site survey, and visit the website to learn more about their land surveying services.