A land surveyor measures land to identify boundaries, and they are highly trained and skilled. There are a few reasons why you may need to hire a surveyor, including:
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You’re purchasing land and need to know the boundaries.
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You’re building a new home and need to know your land boundaries.
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You plan to build an addition to your home.
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You are involved in a boundary dispute with your neighbors.
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You plan to build a fence and need to know your property boundaries.
If you have to hire a surveyor, you want to hire the best person for the job. It’s not a good idea to hire the first surveyor who came up during a Google search and hire them over the phone. There are several questions you should ask the surveyor before hiring them.
Are You Fully Licensed In My State?
You only want to work with a licensed land surveyor. Surveyors have to undergo extensive training and pass an exam to become licensed. The necessary steps to become licensed are generally the same throughout the United States, and each state has its own requirements. The license typically needs to be renewed every one or two years, and continuing education is required.
When you work with a licensed surveyor, you can be sure they know what they’re doing.
Do You Have Liability Insurance?
You should only work with a surveyor who has liability insurance for several reasons. First, if the surveyor doesn’t have insurance and is injured on your property, you will be liable for their medical bills and other costs associated with the injury. The surveyor will be covered under their own insurance if they are insured.
In addition, if the surveyor isn’t insured, it often means that they aren’t very professional, and you need a skilled professional to do the job right.
How Experienced and Educated Are You?
It takes education and land surveying experience for surveyors to do their jobs correctly. If you work with a surveyor with minimal experience, the job will take longer than necessary. In addition, an inexperienced surveyor can make mistakes and may not handle unexpected problems if they arise.
Working with a highly educated and experienced surveyor will ensure the job is done quickly and correctly.
How Long Will the Job Take?
Every piece of property is different; therefore, different jobs take different amounts of time. However, a highly skilled surveyor should be able to give you a rough estimate regarding the timeline. It’s essential to understand that an estimate isn’t a guarantee, and the job could be done before the estimated time or could take longer. If you can get a rough estimate, you can plan your project accordingly.
What Will You Do When the Work Is Complete?
A professional, experienced surveyor will give you a survey map when the job is complete. They need to review, approve and sign the survey and add it to the county records for the results to be official. You should make sure the surveyor is willing to take on these responsibilities before they are hired.
Do You Have References and Reviews?
Before hiring a surveyor, you should ask if they have references or reviews for you to see. If the surveyor has previous customers who were happy with their work, you can feel confident that they will do a good job for you. If they can’t produce reviews or references, the surveyor may not be as experienced or as good at their job as they claimed.
Knowing your property’s boundaries is essential for various projects or understanding where your property starts and ends. If you plan to hire a surveyor, it’s necessary to ask the questions listed above to ensure you’re hiring the best person for the job.