When you’re buying a piece of land, trying to get an insurance policy, or doing anything else that requires you to know what’s on your property, you get a survey. But what is actually involved in a survey? You don’t want to order something and not know what you’re getting into.
Our land surveying company in New York has you covered. Learn about the surveying process in Long Island and, if you have more specific questions about your evaluation, talk to a professional from Scalice Land Surveying. We offer free quotes to people looking for property surveys in New York and beyond.
The Procedures of a Land Survey
Every surveyor is different, but they usually have to hit certain beats in order to get all of the information they need and present it in a comprehensive way. A surveyor also has to conduct the entire evaluation process in accordance with New York State Standards & Procedures for Surveying and Mapping.
In general, the surveying process in New York comprises of three steps: research, fieldwork, and drafting:
Research
Before Long Island land surveyors even step foot on a property, they will have to know what they’re getting into. To comply with state law, a land surveyor has to be able to show that they conducted enough research to avoid any legal issues.
Depending on your survey and the details of your property, your surveyor’s research phase could take hours or it could take days. That’s because, for some surveys, they may have to delve into historical records. Plus, if there are any border disputes (known as encroachments), they’ll have to take time to document those.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is what people usually think of when they think about land surveying. This is when a surveyor actually works on a property and measures boundaries, access points, and any other details needed for the specific type of survey they’re performing.
The amount of time that the fieldwork phase takes will depend on the size of your land, any difficulties around your boundaries, and any other features that the surveyor may need to take note of. It will also depend on how thorough you need your survey to be–using more advanced instruments can take longer and be more expensive.
Drafting and Computation
After a surveyor completes their fieldwork, it’s time for them to get back to their office and process the information that they gathered. This often takes more time than the two previous steps – a surveyor will have to compare their drafts with those of neighboring properties and make sure the final draft complies with state regulations.
The math and problem-solving skills involved in the drafting and computation phase of the survey mean it’s best to have a skilled and experienced surveyor on the job. Scalice Land Surveying employs professionals who know what they’re doing and can perform every step of the process thoroughly and efficiently.
How Much Does a Property Survey Cost in Long Island?
Much like the length of time that your survey takes, the cost of the property survey will also depend on the details surrounding your property and the type of survey that you need. Some factors that can affect the price of your property survey include:
- How large your property is
- Any difficulties involved in the survey process like vegetation or water features on the boundaries of your property
- How in-detail your survey is. For example, if you are getting a simple boundary survey, it will most likely cost less than an ALTA/NSPS land title survey.
While it’s impossible to give a number for your survey’s price without knowing the details of your situation, there is an easy way to learn how much your evaluation may cost. It’s by getting a free estimate from a professional surveyor at Scalice Land Surveying. A member of our team will talk to you and give a quote for no fee at all.
Types of Surveys We Offer
Just as every piece of land is different, every transaction that calls for a survey is different as well. That’s why we offer a variety of different surveys to suit any need you may have.
Different types of surveys in New York include:
- Boundary surveys, which evaluate the edges of your property and neighboring properties
- Site plans, which help owners understand how improvements and projects on their land may play out
- Topographic surveys, which show changes in elevation and contour lines
- ALTA/NSPS surveys, which show boundaries as well as in-depth details like utilities, improvements, and easements
If you’re not sure which survey you need, you can always ask a member of our team. Someone from Scalice Land Surveying can talk to you about your options and which survey is right for you.
How Long Is a Survey Good For in New York?
There is not any real cutoff for how long a survey is good for in New York. In general, you may need a new one if you’re selling and refinancing and your last survey is outdated. This can be anywhere between five and ten years.
New York law calls for surveyors to keep their files for a minimum of six years. If you don’t have your old survey on file, there is a chance that you can contact the company that performed it to see if they still have it.
Get a Free Quote for a Survey in Long Island, NY
Having a survey done can be essential for your land sale, purchase, refinancing, or any number of other situations. You deserve a company that you can rely on. Long Island land surveyors at Scalice will perform every step of your evaluation with skill and honesty.
Call us or contact us online to talk to a surveyor in New York today.
