Whether you’re buying or selling property or going through a property line dispute, you may wonder who is going to pay for the boundary survey. Boundary surveys are essential and often mandatory, but are there any legal requirements for payment?
Our experienced land division surveyors explain who pays for a boundary survey and how much you should expect the survey to cost. Generally, the person requesting the boundary survey is the one to pay. Therefore, if you want to get a boundary survey, you’re more than likely going to be the one to pay for it.
When Should I Get a Boundary Survey?
There are various reasons why you might need a boundary survey for your property. The plans play an essential role when purchasing or performing construction on a plot of land.
Settling a Property Line Dispute
Property line disputes arise when two property owners disagree with where their properties begin and end. Often, many homeowners and business owners will fight tooth and nail over these kinds of issues.
However, the surefire way to resolve a property line dispute is to get a boundary survey of the area. And to prevent a future conflict from arising, consider staking your property lines with the help of a professional land surveyor.
Buying or Selling Your Property
If you’re selling your property, a boundary survey will allow you to know precisely the size and limits of the land you’re selling. It also gives the buyer an incentive to purchase your land because they know exactly what they’re buying and will appreciate the transparency.
On the flip side, when you buy property, always be sure that you’re getting a boundary survey. This way, you can ensure that what you’re purchasing is true to what the seller is charging you. It’s in your best interest to know the boundary lines of any property you’re trying to purchase.
Making Renovations or Constructing Additions
When you renovate your property or decide to construct new additions, you’ll need to make sure that it won’t cause any encroachment issues. You can prevent property line disputes from happening in the first place by proactively getting a boundary survey. That way, you know whether or not it’s possible to do your project.
Do I Have to Pay for a Boundary Survey?
Generally, yes, you will have to pay for your boundary survey if you’re the one who requested it. While there are legal requirements for land surveys, such as boundary surveys, to be done, there are no legal requirements for who pays for it. With that being said, it’s on you to pay for any fees associated with the boundary survey.
If you’re purchasing a property and need a boundary survey done, the seller has an obligation to pay for the boundary survey. In that instance, you will have to deal privately with the seller to arrange terms of payment for the survey.
If you’re going through a property line dispute, you will need to pay for the boundary survey on your own. Whatever the boundary survey costs is worth it to resolve any legal issues you may be facing so you can save money in the long run.
How Much Do Boundary Surveys Cost?
Boundary surveys are less expensive than other land surveys, such as ALTA/NSPS land title surveys or topographic surveys. This is mainly due to boundary surveys being less labor-intensive than other types of surveying reports.
For example, while boundary surveys show plot dimensions, the meaning of an ALTA survey is to meet requirements established by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). Therefore, the process involves more precision than a property survey, which mainly consists of making measurements and showing where property lines are.
Boundary surveys usually cost anywhere between $300 to $800, depending on various factors. Remember, these are just general estimates. Your boundary survey can cost more or less depending on several factors, and a licensed land surveyor can provide a quote to help you better understand your total cost.
Factors That Affect the Price of Boundary Surveys
There are several factors that can affect how much your boundary survey can cost, such as:
- The size of your property
- How many buildings surround your property
- The terrain of your property
- Any additional requests you may have regarding your boundary survey
The only way to know for sure how much your boundary survey will cost is by talking to a professional land surveying service. Scalice Land Surveying has licensed and certified land surveyors that can provide you with a free estimate on our services.
Get in Touch With a Land Surveyor Today
Land surveying can be confusing to the average person. Therefore, you should let trained and experienced surveyors help you before you embark on any project. If you need a boundary survey for your property, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Scalice Land Surveying to learn more about what we can do for you.
