When you’re buying property, selling a house, refinancing, or doing anything else that may be affected by risks on your property, you should be able to get a dependable survey. Not every survey is equal, though, and there are some types that may be more appropriate (and financially viable) than others.
To find out what survey you can get and how much it will cost, you can talk to a land surveyor in Noyack for free. Read more about surveys in New York, and when you’re ready to talk to a professional, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the experts at Scalice Land Surveying, P.C.
Types of Land Surveys in New York
Before you hire your land surveyor in Noyack, NY, you’ll first need to know what type of survey you need. This will depend on what you’re getting the survey for. Certain transactions warrant simpler surveys, while others might require more specialized information or a more thorough evaluation.
The types of land survey you could get include:
Boundary Survey
These are generally the simplest type of land survey that you could receive. Boundary surveys show the borders of your land and any disputes there might be with neighboring properties. These are usually meant to avoid legal trouble in the future.
ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey
ALTA/NSPS surveys are essentially souped-up versions of boundary surveys. While they still measure the same things that a boundary survey might, they go much further, adhering to standards set by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS).
Things that the ALTA/NSPS land title survey covers include:
- Boundary lines
- Building placement
- Easements
- Improvements
- Utilities
Before getting your ALTA survey, your surveyor will most likely need you to fill out paperwork detailing what you want to be surveyed on your property.
Topographic Survey
When you get a topographic survey, you’re getting information on any elevation changes on your property, as well as the contour lines of your land. This is a specialized survey and is usually needed for new construction, landscaping, or drainage projects.
Subdivision Survey
When you need to divide your land into separate parcels, you need a subdivision survey. These are useful for zoning regulations, street design, or other municipal projects.
If you’re not sure what type of survey you need, you should consult with the party that is requesting that you get the survey. They most likely have a certain type in mind. If that’s not the case, you can talk to a professional from our company who can advise you on the survey you should choose.
What does a Land Surveyor Do?
Land surveyors measure and update boundary lines and document features on a property to avoid legal or insurance issues. That’s why property sales and new mortgages almost always mean getting a new survey: buyers and lenders want to know all the risks that they may be getting into.
You may have seen land surveyors out on highways or construction sites with their tripods, telescopes, or other instruments. While that part of the job, known as fieldwork, is an important aspect of a land survey, surveyors do much more than that.
Before a surveyor starts fieldwork, they have to research the property that they’re working on. They’ll look through documents, past surveys, and other resources to see if there have been past legal disputes or if neighboring properties may be encroaching.
After fieldwork, your surveyor will also spend a significant part of their time crunching the numbers and drafting up your survey. It takes a skilled engineer to accurately, thoroughly, and efficiently represent the data they collected.
Are Land Surveyors Honest?
While there certainly may be some surveyors out there that cut corners and abuse their position to make more money, in general, surveyors are very honest and will try their best to accurately perform your survey in a timely manner. Part of the reason for that is the fact that surveyors are held accountable by the state government.
Every surveyor has to be licensed in accordance with New York Education Law § 7209. If it’s found that a surveyor or survey company is being dishonest or purposefully misleading, they could lose state approval and their ability to professionally survey in the state.
To figure out whether your surveyor will be honest with you, you can look at their reviews and client testimonials. You can also look for a survey company that offers free consultations. The fact that a surveyor is willing to talk to you for no fees is a good sign, and speaking with them could give you a good idea of their character.
Talk to a Land Surveyor in Noyack for Free
It’s important that you have a transparent and thorough professional working on your land. The first step in that process is to get a free quote from a Noyack land surveyor from Scalice, P.C., who can assess your needs and tell you what they can do, as well as how much it’s likely to cost.
Call us or contact us online for your free estimate. Someone from our company is available to talk to you every day of the week.