Whether you’re purchasing land for a large commercial project or building a fence on your property at home, hiring a land surveyor is one of the first steps that needs to be completed. A surveyor is an integral part of any construction process. Having a registered land surveyor perform the required assessments will ensure you’re protected from legal disputes, unexpected delays due to not meeting city requirements, surprise underground utilities and other pesky problems.
However, hiring the right land surveyor can be tricky, as not everyone is right for the job. Look for these four qualities when hiring registered land surveyors in Texas.
Top qualifications
Not all registered land surveyors will provide the best work. Simply having a license doesn’t guarantee quality. Instead, hire a reputable surveyor with the right qualifications and training. Ask about their training and past job experience. A surveyor with years of on-the-job experience will likely have encountered similar projects and will be prepared to handle any situation that might arise. The best surveyor will have a wide range of professional qualifications and participate in ongoing professional development, in addition to exceeding local competency standards.
Strong communication skills
Communication is absolutely vital during the course of projects of all sizes. A high-quality surveyor should be communicative throughout every step of the process. Typically, this should include thoroughly discussing the job expectations before performing the survey, followed by an overview of the final results. Additionally, they should be easily accessible and responsive by phone, email or in person even after the survey is completed. This is especially important, as any delays in communication could interfere with the project timeline.
The right equipment
Having the right tools is imperative for a land surveyor. A low-quality surveyor will usually use subpar tools and equipment. Watch out for any broken, old or low-grade tools. Improperly maintained tools could fail during the course of the survey, which could even temporarily put a stop to all work until new gear can be secured. This can be incredibly expensive, as the rest of the project could be delayed as a result. A reputable surveyor will use high-quality tools that are time-tested and independently calibrated. They should be more than happy to explain what tools they use and any steps they take to ensure quality control.
Quality control processes
All construction projects depend heavily on accuracy. Because of this, it’s vital that the land surveyor has quality control checks in place. Even the smallest mistake could end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in delays or, in some cases, requiring a second survey to be completed. A quality control check will give you the right peace of mind. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions about how this process works and what assurances they give for the work they perform.
You should feel confident in your selection if your chosen land surveyors in Texas meet these criteria. D.G. Smyth & Company offers professional, official and dependable land surveying. Call today to speak with one of our friendly project managers and set up some time to talk with us!