Is There a Way to Get a Cheap Land Survey?

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cheap land survey

This must be one of the most popular questions that people ask about land surveying. A lot of people need their property surveyed for one reason or another, but not a lot of us really believe that it’s worth spending a lot of money on.

First, I’d like to point out that a land survey is actually an investment. And when I say “investment”, I mean it’s one of those things that you need to spend good money on so that you don’t spend even more money in the future.

What do I mean?

Let’s say you’re about to buy a house and lot. A friend told you that you better have it surveyed, but you didn’t because 1.) You want to save money 2.) You thought it’s a waste of money and it’s not necessary 3.) You could get by without it. Fast forward a couple of years later, heavy rain comes and your property is flooded. You have to move out, find a temporary place to stay and replace all your things because they got ruined by the water.

If only you had it surveyed before buying, you would have known that it was prone to flooding and would have bought someplace else.

The best thing that you can do when buying a house or property is hire a licensed and credible land surveyor. Why? Because a licensed professional land surveyor is the only one who can do a land survey by law. You don’t want an unlicensed individual doing a survey for you. They don’t stand behind their work. They aren’t recognized by the state or the legal profession.

Another tip is to let the surveyor know what you want ahead of time. This will let them give you a more precise quote so you know what to expect. Through this, you can budget your money or find the funds needed to have the survey done.

It’s also important that you sign a contract before the survey starts. This is to protect you from unexpected payments or hidden charges.

Finally, you should be comfortable with talking to your land surveyor and they should be comfortable talking to you.

You will more than likely have questions along the way, so, if they don’t have time for you after the survey is done, you will be on your own.

Never choose your surveyor based on the cheapest price. You wouldn’t consider choosing your doctor this way would you? Well your surveyor is helping you with your single biggest investment you will probably ever have, your home and land.

So, in summary, you can get a cheap survey, but, more than likely, you will get cheap results. Choose a land surveyor wisely.

For a land survey in Oklahoma City, MS and the surrounding Oklahoma County, MS area, call us at (405) 546-2121  or send us a message by clicking here and filling out our contact form.

Why You SHOULD Have a Land Survey Completed Before Purchasing Land?

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The importance of a land survey

Buying land, whether commercial or residential, is always a really expensive endeavor, regardless if prices have eased somewhat lately. That’s why selecting a lot which you like and making an agreement for it without performing a land survey within the area is likely to be the greatest mistake that one could make.

Here’s why it’s crucial that you have land surveying done first:

land surveyorLand surveyors can evaluate if you’re actually getting what you’re likely to pay for. This simply means uncover whether the sidewalks, trees, driveways and even the bird bath is part of the property you’re gonna buy.

Land surveying would also check if the neighbors are encroaching into the property, which might then mean you’re going to have problems at some point with your neighbors.

Having a land surveyor doesn’t only mean they evaluate which you’re getting or otherwise not getting – land surveyors are the experts, and they can help with building regulations, wetland regulations, etc. Note that that these regulations can change anytime, but land surveyors should be updated on these regulations, or they’re going to refer you to a person who is.

Let’s suppose the existing landowner (the one selling the land) supply you with old land survey documents? You should still hire your very own land surveyor to determine if the boundary monuments continue to be in place.

Also, land surveying done quite a while back will possibly not show recent changes to the land. When the existing survey is older than about 10 years, you must get the most current survey. Technology and surveying standards are significantly better now and may provide you more confidence in the survey work.

Second, that survey was completed for that owner. He could have instructed the surveyor not to show specific factors on the drawing. At least have a land surveyor get out there and look at the parcel with this particular survey in hand.

We have witnessed numerous cases where a whole new land survey would save the customer thousands so don’t become a victim.

I’ve heard many individuals say having a land surveyor is nothing but unnecessary expense. I’ll show you what’s unnecessary: the worry brought on by paying thousands for something and finding yourself not getting what you were expecting. If you’re smart, you’d hire a licensed land surveyor prior to any land purchases.

For any questions about land survey and how it can help you, call us at (405) 546-2121 or send us a message by going here.

Land Surveying History

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land surveyLand surveying is one of the oldest professions on this planet. After men decided that a portion of land should be owned by a particular person or group, the demand for surveying began.

Land surveying is fascinating. The strategies used try to decide which part of land belongs to whom, hopefully ending arguments forever.

In short, surveying is a process using mathematical ways to survey land.

A bit of land surveying history

The very first accounts of surveying land dates back to ancient Egypt. Experts discovered evidences that the ancient Egyptians used basic geometry to redraw the lines of boundary when the Nile River overflowed. An Egyptian land register going back 3000 BC was found.

Following Egyptians, the Romans – also about the most powerful civilizations from the ancient world – practiced land surveying. They took it one step further and made “land surveyor” a certified position in the Empire. They were called agrimensores, often called Corpus Agrimensorum Romanorum.

Though they used rather simple tools, they were very thorough with their jobs and would create straight lines and correct angles with the use of these tools. As soon as the lines were measured, they would create shallow ditches to mark the lines. In fact, some of the furrows they created remain today.

One of the recorded land surveying of the “modern” times is that of William the Conqueror who wrote the Domesday Book in 1086. This book is really a directory of names of land owners, the quantity of land they owned and also other information about the land. Whilst it was a fabulous volume of information during this time, the bits of information were not 100% correct. The locations were not accurate and the maps were not made to scale.

One among history’s greatest icons have also been an ardent surveyor – Napoleon Bonaparte. The interest in surveying land was really just a product of his want to conquer the entire world. Napoleon Bonaparte founded a registry called cadastre. This consists of a registry of properties of a county, ownership details, locations and as much information about the land’s value. Yes, Napoleon Bonaparte can be viewed a land surveyor – plus a very smart man.

The ways used in land surveying also have evolved over the centuries, over time. Long ago, people would use anything that might help them determine the length from one point to another. This implies using chains with links and even ropes. Not surprisingly, this didn’t give accurate results but they didn’t have the technology we’ve got in those days.

Today, land surveyors enjoy the best technologies to help them with their job. There’s GPS, or Global Positioning System, which is among the most accurate technologies used today. Total stations are also vital to a land surveyor, which employs the usage of an EDM or Electronic Distance Measurement device together with a theodolite that allows for further precise angle and distance measurements.

For your land surveying needs, call us today at (405) 546-2121 or send us a message by clicking here.