Land Survey Cost - Are they for real or another Scam?

on-ramp · 07-28-2007, 02:39 PM

My wife and I are thinking of purchasing a boat and we would like
to park in towards the back of our lot. Problem is, there's about 100ft worth of boundary that is not fenced.

I called a local surveying company to come here to put a few stakes into the ground as to where I should build this fence. This company is registered and licensed by the state.

Their estimated quote was 1,800 - $2,000

Is this right? I just wanna put up a small fence.

I appreciate your replies.

Grady Clay · 07-28-2007, 02:58 PM

What I think they are offering you is what may be called a “pin survey”. This is where they start from an official marker and work their way to your property and then stake the boundaries.

I suspect you may find a prior survey when the land was subdivided or developed. All that should be in the county records and available for only a few dollars.

Many times fences are put in the wrong place and the public records and a simple survey will find the correct location.

I think the only time you would need a Pin Survey is if your property records disagree with a neighbor’s records. If you have to pay for one, have an official marker installed.

With GPS, I find the price too high. The high cost might reflect their cost for a bond or insurance.

Best,
Grady

BeyGon · 07-28-2007, 03:21 PM

If they are going to set pins/pipe and set their tag it is going to cost you, if they have to file a new record of survey it will cost, if you can get them to just look and show you what they find that will be cheaper but you could go to the county and get a map of your property and look for yourself.

Dantilla · 07-28-2007, 06:02 PM

I fenced a commercial piece of property that I own, and the fence company did their own survey before installation.

notfarnow · 07-28-2007, 06:07 PM

We were quoted $800 to survey our 3/4 acre lot. We mentioned it to our neighbors on either side, and they expressed interest in getting surveys too. By getting it all done at the same time, we paid $450 each.

Gogar · 07-28-2007, 06:13 PM

Maybe PM Jim Cesiro, and I bet he could tell you.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Don't you have a plot pan from when you bought the house? Get the plan out and measure it yourself, but hold it in a foot to be sure you're on your property.

nota · 07-29-2007, 06:09 AM

buy a metal detector and go hunt your existing property corners
you can get one for less then $50 at northern tool or a good hardware store
they should be there , less then a foot under the dirt
line up other fences down the block and or use other clues
most commonly there will be a 1 to 2'' pipe sometimes a spike or rebar at the corner
you county records office should have your lot or subdivision plat record
that has the data to find the corners
where are you and does your city or county require a survey to get a fence permit?
a simple 4 corner lot survey shouldnot cost that much
illregular or huge propertys do cost more
get three or four bid/quotes if you need the survey
and try to split the cost with the guys next door
or just stop a few feet short to be safe