There are several common myths concerning when land surveying in Texas does and does not need to be conducted, and these have caused confusion for many property owners over the years. Even when the information you already have may seem sufficient, the reality is that land surveys are required more often than you might think. Fortunately, our local land surveyors are here to set the record straight about three of the most common surveying myths:
- I don’t need a new survey if one was done in the past: Even if you are able to access a survey that was conducted in the past, it does not mean that it can be trusted as a reliable indicator of property boundaries today. Many changes can occur on a piece of land over time, and the accuracy of the original survey completed years ago can only be verified if a new, updated survey is conducted.
- The existing survey stakes already mark land boundaries: You’d be surprised how often survey stakes that were placed only several years ago prove to be inaccurate. The only thing you can know for sure based on the presence of the stakes is that some type of land survey was completed in the past, but their location might not be related to your actual property boundaries at all. To save yourself a headache and potential legal trouble down the line, have a survey completed before beginning any new construction.
- My fence outlines the correct property line: Similar to any survey stakes that may be on your land, the simple presence of a fence between two properties does not necessarily mean that it corresponds to the actual property line. Many homeowners gain more confidence in this being true the longer their fence has been standing, but in actuality, the longer it has been there, the more likely it is to be inaccurate. Surveying methods a hundred years ago were not nearly as accurate and comprehensive as they are now, so if your fence has been around for a long time, it’s a good idea to hire a surveyor to determine whether it does actually represent the location of the property line.
If you are ever in doubt about the accuracy or location of your property’s boundaries, it is best to seek out professional assistance. If at any point you want to construct a garage, shed or fence on your property, you will want to be absolutely certain about these boundaries before you begin so your structure doesn’t come under scrutiny in the future.
For this, you will need reliable, trustworthy land surveying in Texas, and that is where the team at D. G. Smyth & Company comes in. Whether you’re entangled in a land dispute with a neighbor and need official documentation for court or you’re interested in easement information for a future development in a particular location, our experienced and knowledgeable surveyors have what you need to prepare for the next steps. To propel your next project in the right direction, give us a call today to schedule your appointment.