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Boundary Surveys

 The American  system of private property is established on the formation of consistent  boundaries between parcels. With the lack of such boundaries,  disagreements and misinterpretations can cause friction and/or animosity  between adjacent property owners or business transactions. Some  examples consist of needing to learn whether a new oil well lies on  their property or deciding to start improvements in an area that's  neighboring a boundary, it's critical for property-owners to understand  the exact bounds of their parcels. If understanding of these boundaries  has lapsed, landowners may need to commission a re-establishment or  boundary survey.

What Is a Re-Establishment/Boundary Survey?

A  boundary survey intends to legally establish the extent of a given  parcel. While the most important characteristic of a boundary survey is  its description of the relevant parcel's corners, the survey should  comprehensively summarize the extent of the parcel. Once a boundary  survey has been generated, the surveyor creates a new map of the parcel  or updates an existing plat map with the property's "new" reestablished  boundaries.

When Should One Be Performed?

There  is not a pre-defined time period for which a boundary survey remains in  effect, it is beneficial to have one at certain times though. One such  example is a new landowner who purchases a parcel from a longtime owner  to confirm the contents of the deed. Surveys are also vital before the  formation or execution of mineral leases or other land-use contracts.

Cost and Other Considerations

The cost of a boundary survey is subject to several important factors some of which include:

  • The location, ruggedness and accessibility of the surveyed parcel
  • The size of the surveyed parcel
  • Seasonal variations in leaf cover, ground markings and other potentially important features of the land
  • The shape and extent of the surveyed parcel
  • The purpose for which the survey is being commissioned

Complications That Can Arise in the Absence of Reliable Surveys

A lack of reliable surveying within a given area or neighborhood can have serious implications, including:

  • Boundary disputes between landowners
  • Violation of local building or improvement codes
  • Potential flaws in title deeds and ownership transfers