Survey Types
Which survey do you actually need?
Ordering the wrong survey is the most common and most avoidable way to waste money on this. Here is what each one is for.
People call asking for “a survey” the way they might ask for “a doctor.” There are a dozen different products under that word and they cost wildly different amounts. If you tell us what you are trying to accomplish, we will tell you which one fits, even if it is the cheaper one.
Boundary Survey
Locates and monuments the legal corners of a parcel. The default answer for fences, land purchases, neighbor disputes and anything where the line itself is the question.
Read more →ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey
The commercial title survey. Plots every recorded easement against the title commitment. Ordered by lenders and title companies, priced by the Table A items you request.
Read more →Topographic Survey
Contours, spot elevations and existing features. What an engineer or architect needs before they can design grading, drainage or a building pad.
Read more →Construction Staking
Marks the design on the ground. Building corners, curb lines, utilities and grade stakes with cut sheets for the operators.
Read more →As-Built Survey
Documents what was actually constructed and where. Usually required to close out a permit or dedicate public infrastructure.
Read more →Elevation Certificate
FEMA form documenting building elevation against the base flood elevation. Often the lever for reducing a flood insurance premium.
Read more →Start from the problem, not the product
The fastest way to land on the right survey is to describe the situation rather than name a service.
| What you are dealing with | Usually the right survey |
|---|---|
| Putting up a fence and want it on your own ground | Boundary survey |
| Buying acreage with no visible corners | Boundary survey |
| Neighbor is mowing or building on what you think is yours | Boundary survey |
| Commercial purchase, lender sent a checklist | ALTA/NSPS survey |
| Engineer needs to design drainage or grading | Topographic survey |
| Ready to break ground and need layout | Construction staking |
| City will not close the permit | As-built survey |
| Flood insurance quote seems far too high | Elevation certificate |
| Splitting off a few acres to sell or deed to family | Boundary survey plus a lot split or plat |
| Refinancing a house and the lender wants something cheap | Often a mortgage inspection, not a survey |
Still not sure? Call and describe it. Two minutes on the phone regularly saves people from ordering an ALTA survey when a boundary survey would have done the job. (918) 000-0000