Buying land or starting a project shouldn’t involve guesswork and uncertainty. You could be missing crucial details that could lead to legal trouble, insurance issues, or even unsafe conditions. That’s why most people are advised to get a land survey in Charlotte when they’re closing a deal or planning construction.
Those aren’t the only times when you should have a survey on hand. Learn more about property surveys in North Carolina and how a professional from Scalice Land Surveying, P.C. can help you. If you have any questions or want to get an estimate on your next survey, you can talk to us for free.
When a Survey Is Required in North Carolina
You technically are never legally required to provide a land survey for any purpose in North Carolina. That is, there’s no state law that states so. However, there are some situations in which you should get a survey to avoid legal issues or insurance risks. There are also situations where someone else like a lender or an insurer will require a survey.
If you are selling a property, the buyer most likely will want a land survey. In those situations, they are usually the one that pays for the survey, but you might be responsible for finding someone to assess your property. If you’re getting a mortgage, the lender will almost always need a survey as well.
Often, insurers require surveys before they give you a title commitment. When you’re getting flood insurance, you almost always need a FEMA elevation certificate, which you can get from a land surveyor in Charlotte.
If nobody is requesting that you get an evaluation of your land, there are still instances when you should still get a survey. Knowing where your boundary lines are can help when starting a construction or landscaping project while knowing the contour lines of your land is often necessary for figuring out drainage.
There is a wide array of land surveys that you can get. You should check with other parties involved in your deal or project to see if there’s a certain one that they require. If not, you can get a free consultation with a survey professional who can look at your situation and tell you what your options are.
How Long Is a Survey Good for?
Just like there is no official law requiring a land survey, North Carolina also does not impose any official deadline or statute of limitations on an old survey. Instead, the general rule of thumb is that surveys are outdated within five to ten years, so beware of relying on existing surveys.
However, the age of your survey should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some questions you should ask yourself include:
- How old is my last survey?
- Has my property changed at all since then?
- Have I built anything new?
- Is there extra information needed now that my old survey doesn’t cover?
Often, new transactions and projects require details that previous surveys weren’t looking for. In some circumstances, parties asking you to get a survey may require that it is a brand-new assessment.
How to Find Your Property Survey
If you’ve already gotten a property survey, it may be on file with the company that performed it. Surveyors usually keep records for several years, and in the digital age, there is a chance that they keep old surveys for much longer.
You may also be able to find your survey through the Mecklenburg County Recorder online or in-person, depending on how old the records are. Local municipalities often have public records on file, and while your property survey may not be public record, it’s always worth checking.
Get an Estimate on a Land Survey in Charlotte, NC
One of our technicians can advise you on your next survey before you ever agree to hire us. Call us or contact us online for your FREE estimate. We’re available to talk to you seven days a week.