Land Surveying: Ethics of a Land Surveyor

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land surveyorNot a lot of people realize that land surveying is actually a fusion of art and science. Yes, different equipment is available for the surveyor’s use, but the land surveyor still has the last say in the results.

Despite this, a land surveyor still has several guidelines to follow. If you’ve had an experience with a dishonest surveyor, or are wary about hiring one, this article should be able to help you out.

What ethics should a land surveyor follow?

A surveyor should always start a project with fairness in mind. Your client as well as every party involved in the project is expecting you to be fair and just so make the best possible assessment with the evidence handed to you.

Before a project commences, the surveyor assigned to the project should come forward if there’s a possibility of conflict of interest. This is very important to preserve their relationship with the client. A surveyor should avoid professional impropriety by declaring involvement or any prior affiliations with any of the involved parties. It is also the surveyor’s responsibility to keep any information regarding the project as well as the client confidential even after the project is done.

Several cases were reported where the surveyor overcharged the client. This usually happens when the client doesn’t know anything about land surveying. A land surveyor running his business with ethics will always work with a clear understanding of what is to be done and a contract that spells that out. Fortunately, there are more honest land surveyors than dishonest ones.

A surveyor should charge a project according to the length of time needed to get it done as well as the level of technical complexity required for it. For the surveyor’s sake as well as the client, one should never sign plans, certificates or reports unless these are personally supervised by him. Not only is this unfair on the client’s side, doing so could put his reputation in danger should the results get disputed and he doesn’t know anything about them.

Just like with other industries, a land surveyor should never undermine the capability of other surveyors or the people from the land surveying industry.

New technologies come up for land surveying all the time. When a surveyor knows that a project is beyond his skills, he should tell the client about it. There’s no sense accepting a project only to come up with a sub-par result. It will only hurt your business and your reputation.

Surveyors should also be responsible enough to study, do a thorough research, practice and utilize his skills before offering clients a new service. If a surveyor is new to flood surveying, for instance, then he needs to make sure that he knows how to perform it before offering it to his clients.

Surveyors do not work alone. They usually have a staff to support them. The land surveyor needs to be responsible for their actions at all cost, for actions or work carried out by them.

If you need assistance looking for a land surveyor, call us at (405) 546-2121 or send us a message by clicking here.

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.