Land Surveying: Estimating the Cost

Land surveying, in short, is the science and art of establishing or re-establishing property corners, property lines and/or boundaries. There are different reasons why someone wants a lot surveyed.

Essentially the most common is to check if a piece of land is vulnerable to flooding, to subdivide a property to sell or to determine if there are any encroachments. This may happen if a neighbor disputes that you are using a piece of his lot or vice versa (for more on this, go here).

The Cost of Land Surveying

If you need to have a piece of land surveyed, the first thing that will come to mind is “how much will it cost?”There are plenty of factors determining exactly how much land surveying for your land would cost.

The fact that this type of service must be carried out by an expert contributes a great deal to the overall cost of the service, but choosing a non-professional to survey your land is dangerous and possibly illegal for the non-professional. Because of this you have to take a good look around before settling with a surveying company.

If you must work within a particular budget, discuss this with the surveyor up-front. Very often he may be able to offer cost saving steps to get the work you need done within these cost limits. The form of the land must also be looked into. A square or even a rectangle piece of land is somewhat easier to survey than an odd shaped parcel, or one with many different sides.

With the latter, the surveyor would have to take more time in surveying the curves as well as the bends which means the cost of the service would go higher.

The overall measurements the land is also key factor here. Understand that the cost of land surveying is normally proportionate to the time and effort that the land surveyor would spend on the project. If the land that you’re having surveyed isn’t accessible, or has thick vegetation, then the total price of the survey might go higher.

This is true of the varying weather conditions that might impact the work. Surveying in warm weather is somewhat slower to keep from putting the crew members in danger. Also, most surveying can’t be done in the rain.

When requesting for an estimate, bear in mind that surveyors base the estimate on expected conditions at the site. These conditions could change, bringing about additional costs. Always ask about these potential additional cost scenarios.

All that being said, competitive prices are also to be expected, this is why we recommend deciding on a surveyor based upon his experience and reputation rather than on the price he writes on a piece of paper. Usually it is better to invest a good amount of money on a survey that’s well-done rather than choose a company with a very “affordable” price but have the survey repeated because the results were wrong.

To sum it up, you should always discuss the expenses of the survey before you decide to ask the surveyor to start his work. It’s also wise to receive a contract that lets you know what is expected of the land surveyor. This is one of the most important steps in getting your land surveyed.

author avatar
Surveyor

More Posts

Aerial view of a residential construction site showing multiple houses under development, captured using drone surveying technology.
land surveying
Surveyor

Is Outdated Culture Slowing Drone Surveying?

Wilmington is growing fast. New homes, businesses, and entire developments are popping up across the city. Behind every structure? A land survey. But while the skyline rises, one thing hasn’t kept pace—the culture inside Wilmington’s land surveying industry. And that’s becoming a real problem, especially when it comes to drone

Read More »
Aerial view of the I-277 shutdown in Charlotte with traffic rerouted, highlighting the importance of a construction survey for planning road projects
construction
Surveyor

Construction Survey Lessons from the I-277 Shutdown

Charlotte is growing fast, and with growth comes construction everywhere you look. But sometimes, even the best-laid plans hit a roadblock—literally. Just this past weekend, I-277 shut down for the Around the Crown 10K. Lanes were closed, ramps were blocked, and traffic was rerouted all around Uptown. For most people,

Read More »

Why Every Property Owner Needs Land Planning

So, you’ve got property in Charlotte and big plans to build. Maybe it’s a custom home, a rental, or even a small business space. Exciting, right? But here’s the catch: if you jump straight into design or construction without a land planning strategy, you might be setting yourself up for

Read More »
Raleigh city skyline with busy roads and traffic light trails
civil engineering
Surveyor

How a Transportation Engineer Creates Efficient and Safe Roadways 

Have you ever wondered who plans and builds the roads you use every day? The person behind it is called a transportation engineer. These engineers make sure roads are safe and work well for everyone. In Raleigh, where more people are moving in every year, transportation engineers help fix traffic

Read More »
Aerial view of Uptown Charlotte, NC, where an ALTA Land Title Survey can help identify property boundaries and features
alta survey
Surveyor

Avoid “I Wish I Knew” Moments: Get an ALTA Land Title Survey

Buying or building on property in North Carolina can be exciting — but it may also come with costly surprises. In a busy and growing city like Charlotte, hidden easements, boundary disputes, or zoning problems can slow down your plans. Getting an ALTA Land Title Survey early can help you

Read More »
Downtown Wilmington, NC waterfront near flood zones where elevation certificates are often required for permits and insurance.
alta survey
Surveyor

The Homeowner’s Guide to Getting an Elevation Certificate

If you own property in Wilmington, NC, especially near the Cape Fear River, Wrightsville Beach, or Downtown Wilmington, you may be in a flood zone. In these areas, having an elevation certificate can be important — whether you’re buying a home, applying for flood insurance, or planning construction. This guide

Read More »