If you’ve ever been involved in a construction project or purchased land, chances are you’re familiar with the term “land survey.” But do you know what it is exactly, why it’s important, and how it’s conducted? Let’s explore the land surveying process and discover why accuracy matters for construction projects as well as for measuring boundaries.

What is a Land Survey?

A land or property survey is an official measure of a piece of land that records its exact boundaries as well as documenting the location of site features such as roads, buildings, fences, trees and other permanent features located on the property. Land Surveys are done in compliance with the Land Survey Act which requires high degrees of accuracy for the surveys.

Why Do We Need Land Surveys?

Land surveys are important because they provide legal documentation of the property lines between two parcels of land. Without a surveyor’s report detailing these measurements, disputes may arise over who owns what part of the property. Having a professional surveyor complete this task removes any doubt about who has rights to what piece of land. In addition to establishing ownership boundaries, surveys are also used to create topographical maps that can be used for civil engineering projects for roadways or pipelines.

How Is A Land Survey Conducted?

Prior to the physical survey of a property being undertaken, a land Surveyor will undertake detailed research on previous surveys conducted on a property. Sometimes these surveys date more than 100 years ago and interpreting the historical documentation and calculating the correct position of a properties boundaries requires years of experience.

Once on site a professional surveyor will use various tools such as electronic theodolites,  Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and specialized software to accurately measure and document the property lines. Once all measurements have been taken and recorded, boundary markers will then be placed in strategic locations so that anyone visiting the site can clearly see where each boundary line ends and begins. This helps prevent any potential disputes over who owns what piece of property in the future. Surveys are also conducted by aerial drones; this type of surveying is often used for larger tracts of land such as farms or ranches where topographic data needs to be collected faster than traditional methods would allow.

Contact our professional team of land surveyors, or have a look at some of the projects we have been involved in.