The Hamptons Land Surveyor

Field land surveyor pointing surveying equipment around a property.

Land surveys: the words alone can be enough to cause a headache. But the good news is there are qualified land surveyors who can take care of everything. And even better, your local Long Island surveyors are closer than you think.

Scalice is your source for property surveys in the Hamptons. Call our office at (631) 957-2400 or fill out our online form. We will reach out, discuss your surveying needs, and provide an estimate for our services.

Top Reasons to Hire a Land Surveyor

What does a land surveyor do? The short answer: a lot of things. The long answer is:

  • Define property lines
  • Create and update maps
  • Find construction locations for new roads and buildings
  • Develop topography reports on specific sites or regions
  • Provide land development surveys to meet town and county requirements

Land surveyors perform research at a specific site to ensure complete accuracy. They use dynamic equipment, like global positioning systems (GPS), to collect data and generate official reports.

Navigating the land survey world can be tricky. Working with a full-service surveying company like Scalice makes it easier for property owners to get the report they need.

You Need a Permit

Are you ready to break ground on a new construction project or finally install an addition to your home? Well, you’re going to need a permit for that. And before you obtain a permit, you need a surveyor to ensure your property is up to local regulations.

A NY land surveyor prepares boundary surveys, topography reports, and site plans that are needed when applying for a building permit. The reports ensure the construction site is safe and any new structures adhere to city and state codes.

You Are Buying or Selling a Home

No matter if you are buying or selling a property, it is in your best interest to know where your property ends and a neighbor’s land begins. A property surveyor uses boundary surveys to outline a property’s boundary lines accurately.

For home buyers, understanding property lines is essential.

Homeowners can keep the boundary survey on-hand in case neighbors encroach their property. The surveys also come in handy when making additions to property and prevent you from accidentally installing structures on your neighbor’s estate.

You Need Flood Insurance

According to CNBC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorizes nine million United States properties as having high flood risk. That means for many U.S. property owners, flood insurance is not an option; it’s a necessity.

FEMA Elevation Certificates help insurance companies calculate appropriate flood insurance rates. If your property is one of the nine million located in high-risk flood zones, insurance providers require a FEMA survey before issuing insurance.

But there’s no need to worry because your local NY land surveyors provide FEMA Elevation Certificates. Survey techs visit your property, inspect its elevation levels, and prepare a formalized report. Owners can submit the survey to providers when seeking insurance quotes.

You Need a Mortgage

Land title surveys, specifically ALTA/NSPS surveys, play a crucial role in the mortgage lending process. Title insurance companies may require surveys when a property owner is:

  • Seeking a commercial property mortgage
  • Refinancing a commercial property mortgage
  • Transferring commercial property ownership

Land title surveys allow mortgage providers to assess property value. Lenders may also use them to evaluate risk and determine mortgage rates.

You Want to Avoid a Future Dispute

According to Investopedia, encroachment real estate violations occur when one property owner infringes on a neighbor’s property rights. A person may accidentally or intentionally violate boundary lines when adding structures to their property.

When encroachment occurs, a boundary survey can help. The detailed blueprint outlines a plot of land and provides proof of boundary lines.

Is Scalice the Best Survey Company Near Me?

Our efficient work ethic and customer service drive our organization. Our loyal customers continue to rely on our services and recommend us to other property owners in the area.

Your Resource for All Types of Surveys

Scalice is the go-to land survey squad in the Hamptons. We are proud to offer commercial and residential property owners a variety of surveying and mapping services.

As a full-service land survey organization, our services include:

  • Title, boundary, subdivision, and topographic surveys
  • FEMA Elevation Certificates
  • Construction Layouts
  • Site Plans
  • Civil Engineering

From our innovative surveying equipment to competitive pricing, Scalice is more than a Long Island land surveyor. We are the property partners you can rely on to get the correct documentation in your hands.

Fast & Reliable Reports

We get it: property surveys can slow down a construction project. But when you work with our Suffolk County crew, you won’t have to wait for long.

Our team strives to streamline the property surveying process. From preparing your initial quote to surveying your site, we are efficient every step of the way. Our fast turn-around time is one of the reasons we are such a well-respected company in the Hamptons.

From New York, for New York

Partnering with Scalice means working with a local New York business. And who better to scope out your Long Island property than real New Yorkers?

Our owner, Michael J. Scalice, is a licensed New York land surveyor and part of the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors. He and his team know New York building codes and geography. If you want your Suffolk County property surveyed right, then trust Scalice.

Get a Hamptons Land Surveying Quote

If you need a dependable and experienced land surveyor in the Hamptons, Scalice is it.

Call us at (631) 957-2400 or enter your contact info into our online form. We will reach out to gather more info on your project and provide an estimate. Ready to get started on your next project?

The Hamptons Land Survey FAQs

If you’re looking to get a land survey in the Hamptons without much prior knowledge of surveys, you likely have many questions. We can help you understand more about what’s involved in a land survey with answers to several frequently asked questions.

How Does a Hamptons Land Surveyor Help in Boundary Disputes?

Property owners who encroach upon a neighbor’s property can land themselves in hot water if their neighbor takes them to court over a boundary dispute. One owner says their property lines start and stop at specific spots while the other argues that it doesn’t. But how can that be?

Not all land surveys are equal, and not all surveyors are qualified experts. Someone’s assessment is wrong. When a landowner sues their neighbor over a boundary dispute, a third-party land surveyor can come in as an expert witness to help resolve the matter.

Through painstaking research, careful measurements, detailed boundary line description reviews, and landowner investigations, a surveyor’s expert testimony will be reported to a court. And a judge will ultimately rule to settle the boundary dispute.

What Questions Should I Ask a Land Surveyor in the Hamptons?

If you’ve never had to hire a professional for a survey before, you may be unsure how to choose the right person for the job. You may also want to know which questions to ask a land surveyor in the Hamptons to get a good idea if they’re qualified. In general, you’ll want to know if:

  • They’re fully licensed to do land surveys in New York
  • They’ve been doing land surveys for a long time
  • They have references and customer reviews to look at
  • Their crew is educated and experienced
  • They can provide a detailed estimate of how much the survey will cost
  • They carry liability insurance
  • Their results will accurately reflect your property’s boundaries and features

How Much Does a Survey Cost in the Hamptons?

Land survey prices will always vary. No two surveys are the same. Determining the cost of your land survey in the Hamptons will require knowing:

  • Which type of survey that you require
  • Your lot type, age, shape, and size
  • Its geographic location
  • The accessibility and terrain of your lot
  • How much time will be required for research and travel
  • The time of year you want your survey done

That being said, HomeAdvisor has calculated typical national estimates for 2022 showing land survey costs varying between $338 and $670 and averaging out at $504. Knowing which type of survey you need will also help you get an idea of how much you can expect to spend. Price ranges for different survey types include:

  • Boundary surveys: $100 to $600
  • Fence surveys: $250 to $1,000
  • Mortgage surveys for buying a house: around $500
  • Topographic surveys: $500 to $1,200
  • New construction surveys: $1,000 to $2,000
  • ALTA surveys: $2,000 to $3,000

Talk to a licensed, experienced land surveyor in the Hamptons about your project to obtain a more precise estimate. 

How Can I Survey My Own Property in the Hamptons?

If you’re intent on surveying your own property in the Hamptons to save money or have a deeper understanding of the process, you must:

  1. Obtain the deed, plat map, and other property documents online or from the County Assessor
  2. Read and understand the legal description and survey map, which can include PLSS coordinates, metes and bounds, bearings, and other associated terms
  3. Collect the right tools for the job, such as a map, GPS, compass, theodolite, tripod, levels, flag markers, tape measure, and likely much more
  4. Use the survey map, Google Maps, and PLSS coordinates to locate a known corner of your property
  5. Know how to conduct the survey from your known location

Note: Submitting a land survey yourself is not legal in New York. The law only recognizes survey maps as valid which are completed and signed by licensed and registered surveyors in the state.

You might wish to be more cost-effective by doing the survey yourself. But you’ll end up costing yourself more money, time, and headaches if you break the law. To avoid legal trouble with the state or in a boundary dispute with your neighbor, only work with a licensed, registered professional.

How Do You Determine Property Lines in the Hamptons?

Generally, there are two ways you can determine your property lines in the Hamptons. The first is to read the legal description of your homeowner’s deed and follow along with the survey map using a tape measure.

Alternatively, you can request a copy of your survey map from your local assessor. The Hamptons cover a broad base that includes two towns of hamlets and villages. Southampton residents must go to the Southampton Assessor’s Office, while East Hampton residents must refer to the Town of East Hampton Assessor’s Office.

These records can take a few business days to produce. If you don’t want to wait, you can also try searching your address on the Suffolk County Geographic Information System (GIS). Or you can hire a professional land surveyor to conduct a new survey and compare it to existing documents, updating it where necessary.

Can You Claim Land After 7 Years in the Hamptons?

No. While the doctrine of adverse possession is legitimate, there is a common misconception that a trespasser can claim land after seven years of occupying it—likely tied to old English common law. 

Under New York law, a squatter can only make an adverse possession claim after occupying the land for 10 consecutive years. They must also comply with a host of other legal requirements before a judge can rule in favor of the adverse possessor.

Can You Claim Land in the Hamptons if You Maintain It?

Claiming land in the Hamptons under an adverse possession claim comes with rigorous rules under New York laws. Even if they maintain it, a trespasser must bear the burden of proof before a judge can rule in favor of the adverse possessor and grant them ownership of title to the land. 

Under the law, a trespasser must occupy the land:

  • For 10 consecutive, unbroken years
  • With or without knowledge of any superior ownership rights
  • In a manner that would give the rightful owner a reason to eject the trespasser
  • By failure of the owner to exercise their rights to eject the trespasser during those 10 years
  • Against the owner’s rights and without their permission
  • With a reasonable belief that the property is theirs
  • Without hiding their occupancy and using the land as the true owner would
  • Exclusively and alone
  • By exercising control over the property

Do I Need a Permit to Put a Fence Around My Yard in the Hamptons?

Zoning regulations vary among jurisdictions. In Southampton, you do not need a permit if you’re installing a fence four feet high or below in a front yard or six feet high or below in a back or side yard. 

You do require a permit for any fences above four feet and for any property requiring Conservation approval on the Wetlands inventory list. Fences over six feet high are not permitted. Refer to the Zoning Code of the Town of Southampton § 330-107 for more info.

Similarly, in East Hampton, front yard fences must be no higher than four feet, and rear and side yard fences must not exceed six feet. Erecting a fence higher than that will require a permit and approval by the Architectural and Design Board. Refer to the Zoning Code of the Town of East Hampton § 255-11-38 for more info.

How Long Does It Take to Survey a Plot of Land in the Hamptons?

The time it takes to survey a plot of land in the Hamptons depends on several factors, one of which is the existing deed. If it was poorly done, difficult to understand, or has conflicting information, your new survey could take longer. 

Before conducting the physical survey, a surveyor will review the legal description, deed, and plat map. Poorly done surveys may require additional time for research to prove their legal status and determine property lines. It may also take a few days if the surveyor must acquire it from the county assessor.

The surveyor will visit the property, record physical evidence, and compare data from survey drawings and legal records. This process can last from a couple of days to a few weeks. If you’re geting a homebuyer’s report, the survey could take roughly 90 minutes. It could take up to eight hours if you have a more in-depth survey on a larger plot of land or a building report.

How long the process takes generally depends on the size and scope of your property and the surveyor’s schedule. But they’ll be able to estimate the timeframe once they have more information and how long it could take to produce results. A homebuyer’s report might take three to five business days. A building report or larger plot could take up to eight.

Why Do You Need a Land Survey in the Hamptons?

You will need a land survey in the Hamptons if you are:

  • Buying land or property
  • Selling land or property
  • Making property additions
  • Removing structures on your property
  • Settling a boundary dispute
  • Updating an old survey map

A land survey will reveal:

  • Property lines and features
  • Easements
  • Zoning classification
  • Rights-of-way
  • Party walls
  • Encroachments
  • Joint driveways
  • Ingress/egress
  • Surface water
  • Water/gas/electricity
  • Existing improvements