North Carolina ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

surveyor looks through equipment

You can get any type of land survey for your next sale, mortgage, or construction project. Sometimes, though, the bare minimum doesn’t cut it. Sometimes, you need to know comprehensive information about your land and any risks that come along with it. 

ALTA/NSPS land title surveys in North Carolina can get you that information. Learn more about ALTA surveys, what they mean for you, and how much they could cost. A licensed, registered professional from Scalice Land Surveying, P.C. can answer your questions during a consultation.

What Is an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey?

To understand ALTA/NSPS surveys, it may help to first understand what a boundary survey is. When you hire a professional to perform a boundary survey, they evaluate the boundary lines of your property, where your structures are in relation to those lines, and any possible disputes with neighboring properties.

ALTA surveys are souped-up, in-depth versions of boundary surveys. Where a simple boundary survey just covers the basic information about your property, an ALTA/NSPS land survey covers comprehensive details. Those details include:

  • Boundaries
  • Encroachments
  • Setbacks
  • Easements
  • Insurance and legal risks
  • Utilities
  • Access points

The truth is that there is a wide range of details that an ALTA/NSPS survey could cover, and you can get your survey personalized to your needs. Before they get to work, your surveyor will need you to fill out Table A, which is an ALTA form that lays out what you want to be surveyed on your property.

Land surveyors in North Carolina have to meet the rigorous standards of the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Legally, your surveyor must be certified and licensed pursuant to General Statutes of North Carolina (GCNC) § 89C.

Is a Survey Required in North Carolina?

No. Technically, there is no legal requirement to get a new survey for any transaction, mortgage, or project. There is also no legal requirement to get an ALTA/NSPS survey in North Carolina when you do decide to have your property evaluated. However, many lenders and parties will need a survey to close or finance a sale.

In some cases, there may be a past survey that you can use to satisfy another party’s requirements. However, they often have a specific survey in mind, and the one that you have on file may not be the right one for the job. If someone else is requesting a survey, you should always consult with them about how old the survey can be and what type is needed.

How Long Is My Survey Good for?

A survey is good for however long it’s still accurate and relevant. North Carolina does not have any expiration date or statute of limitations on surveys, but they do become less and less truthful as time goes on. In some cases, whoever is requesting a survey may not consider an old survey good enough.

In general, the rule of thumb for surveys is five to ten years. Land can shift, new structures are built, and other details change over time. To have the most up-to-date information, you should get a new survey either when your old one hits the ten-year mark or if you need a survey and your last one was done more than five years ago.

How Much does an ALTA/NSPS Survey Cost?

We tailor our surveys on a case-by-case basis, so it’s hard to say how much your survey will cost without knowing anything about your land and your needs. However, you should keep in mind that North Carolina ALTA/NSPS land title surveys are, generally, one of the more expensive surveys you can get.

That doesn’t mean they’ll break the bank, though. Usually, surveys range below $1,000, though if your land is particularly large or the job is particularly difficult, the price can range into the thousands of dollars. If someone else has requested a survey from you, however, they may be the party that has to pay for it.

The most reliable way to understand how much your survey could cost is to get a free quote from an ALTA/NSPS surveyor in North Carolina. A professional will be able to assess your situation and give you an estimate of how much you’re likely to pay.

Get an Estimate on an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey in North Carolina

You should know what you’re getting yourself into when you hire your surveyor. During a free consultation, a technician can talk to you about what you need, advise you on what type of land survey to get, and provide a cost estimate. North Carolina ALTA/NSPS surveyors from Scalice, Land Surveying, P.C. are on call to help you.

We’ve been helping people understand their land for years, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Call us or contact us online today for your FREE estimate.