Becoming a land surveyor isn’t as easy as buying a theodolite, a tripod and some measuring tape. Instead, there are quite a few professional land surveyor qualifications in Texas that each surveyor must possess in order to practice in this industry.
Before becoming surveyors, aspirants will typically first obtain a bachelor’s degree in land surveying from a college accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). While receiving a bachelor’s degree might not be necessary, it helps ensure that students will be prepared to obtain their license from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). In addition to possessing the national license, surveyors in Texas also need to pass an exam to become a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) and a Licensed State Land Surveyor.
Before taking the exams, most states require applicants to have at least four years of surveying experience under their belts. After all, we learn something new in the field every day, so it makes sense that real-world experience is one of the key professional land surveyor qualifications in Texas.
The dangers of hiring an unqualified surveyor
Hiring an unqualified or underqualified land surveyor can have some serious ramifications. These are a few of the things that can go wrong if you go with a cut-rate, unqualified surveyor:
- Incorrect boundary lines: Surveyors perform a variety of different tasks, but defining property lines is a big part of the job. Inexperienced surveyors or those who aren’t accredited may do a poor job of mapping out your boundaries, leading to construction or land disputes down the road.
- Legal disputes: Property disputes aren’t always settled amicably, and they can sometimes wind up in court. In those circumstances, having a qualified and certified surveyor in your corner always helps! On the flip side, having a surveyor who’s inexperienced or uncertified might actually hurt your case.
- Construction issues: Construction on a new plot of land often can’t begin until the parcel has been surveyed. The survey will show what buildings can be constructed on the land and where the construction can take place. Surveying errors could lead to construction disasters or the project not being completed at all.
What to look for in a land surveyor
Choosing the right land surveyor isn’t as easy as doing a quick Google search. On top of finding a surveyor who’s accredited at the national and state levels, be sure to hire someone who’s up to date on the latest surveying practices and technology. A firm that uses the latest and greatest surveying methods is more likely to provide accurate results.
Your surveyor should also have plenty of experience working in your geographical area. Hiring someone who’s from out of town and unfamiliar with the region often leads to less accurate survey results and some of the problems mentioned above.
Call our pros if you need land surveying
With a wide range of surveying services on offer and over four decades of experience, the choice is clear when you need someone with professional land surveyor qualifications in Texas: hire the pros at D.G. Smyth & Co., Inc. Contact us today to get a quote or to learn more about our offerings.