Sometimes, a simple evaluation of your property and its boundaries is enough. For title commitments, sale closures, and other important deals, though, you need more than the bare minimum. ALTA/NSPS land title surveys in Charlotte can show you and other interested parties detailed information about your land.
Read more about land surveys in North Carolina and what it means to get an ALTA assessment. If you have any questions about your own survey or want to get an estimate, you can call us at Scalice Land Surveying, P.C. to talk to a professional surveyor for free.
What Does “ALTA” Mean?
When you hear the term “ALTA survey,” it’s almost certainly a shortened version of “ALTA/NSPS land title survey.” That might not mean much more to you. What are all those letters for?
In the land surveying world, ALTA stands for American Land Title Association, while NSPS stands for National Society of Professional Surveyors. These two organizations work in conjunction to set and update rigorous land survey standards for companies all across the country.
Every land surveyor’s skill set varies from others’ and every property owner has different needs. To account for that, ALTA and NSPS provide a set of minimum requirements that leave room for customization while still being thorough enough to meet the expectations of even the most strict buyer, lender, or insurer.
The term “land title survey” reflects the fact that many ALTA surveys are done to fulfill the requirements for a title commitment. Title insurers make sure that certain parties involved in a property sale are protected from any defects. To do that, the insurer will need a detailed survey that goes over every insurance risk, legal issue, and any other potential problem.
What to Expect From Your Land Title Survey
When you first get in touch with your ALTA/NSPS land title surveyor in Charlotte, they will most likely give you an estimate of how much you’re likely to pay and how long the process might take. They’ll also probably ask you to fill out ALTA’s Table A, which outlines what details you need from your assessment.
Once you’ve agreed to hire your land surveyor and you give them everything they need to get started, they’ll begin the land surveying process. In general, this comprises of three phases:
- Research, in which your surveyor will go through past surveys, historical documents, and resources on neighboring properties to get a base of information and spot any legal issues
- Fieldwork, in which your surveyor will measure and assess the features of your land using specialized equipment and techniques
- Drafting, in which your surveyor will crunch numbers, process data, and draw up an official survey
We tailor our services to each client’s needs, so each part of the process may be slightly different. You can talk to one of our North Carolina land surveyors for free to get an idea of what your land’s assessment may look like.
Time Required for an ALTA Survey
Because every survey is different, the timeframe for one survey may be very different from another. A land surveyor will try to accommodate your needs and work as efficiently as possible, but ALTA surveys are among the most labor-intensive services available. Because of that, they often take longer to complete than simpler evaluations.
The general timeframe for a land survey is one to two weeks. However, it will all depend on what you outline when you fill out ALTA Table A. The more optional things you choose, the more your surveyor will have to work to fulfill the requirements.
We’re more than happy to do everything in our power to get you all the information you need. However, it’s important to understand that more comprehensive surveys take more time. If you’re on a deadline, you may need to opt for less detail.
How Much an ALTA/NSPS Survey Costs
Just as ALTA/NSPS land title surveys in Charlotte tend to take more time than other types of surveys, they also tend to cost more on average. That’s because the price of any survey depends on a few factors, including:
- How long a surveyor needs to spend on each part of the process
- How difficult the job is
- How large your land is
- Whether there is any difficult terrain on your property
In the case of an ALTA survey, your price can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. That being said, a quality survey can save you money in the long run. The detailed information you receive can help you avoid legal costs, and with the right surveyor, you may not need to have your land reassessed for ten years or more.
To find out a more exact number for the potential price of your survey, you can get a free estimate from one of our professionals. A survey expert can assess the size of your property and your needs to give you a quote.
Get an Estimate on an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey in Charlotte
When you’re looking for a detailed evaluation of your property, whether it’s for insurance reasons, for a new project, or to close a sale, you should know what you’re getting into.
A free consultation with a Charlotte ALTA/NSPS land surveyor from Scalice, P.C., can show you how much your survey could cost and what our professionals can do to get the necessary information.
Call us or contact us online today to get a FREE estimate on your next land survey. We’re on call to talk to property owners across North Carolina.