[fireant911]

BeyGon,
Thanks for the insight - I had no idea that GPS technology is being used for this (although it does make really good sense). I bet that a plot of land this size (26 acres) would be prohibitively expensive in your area (Cali) - and the cost of the survey would basically be a non-issue!

Luckily, the 26 acres we found is affordable. Oddly, I found this property, by chance, in visiting the town hall and speaking with one of the police officers (his grandfather's property borders this land). We have always wanted to build beside some running water and this property is absolutely beautiful. We had two goals - the water be 'kayakable' and 'fishable' - the 1,320 feet of water frontage far exceeds these two parameters!

To unnamed others: we have absolutely no issue paying for one's experience. My wife is a physician (MD) and her education, expenses, and experience probably FAR outweighs that of a surveyor and I can guarantee that her salary does not equate to the charges that we were given (in looking at a cost per hour comparison). I have no desire to debate any of this... as I originally stated, I was just looking for the charges that others had incurred for obtained a survey as we both felt the costs we received were EXTREMELY expensive.

Our knowledge level was basically non-existent with surveys and several posters here provided some really good information and that is much appreciated.