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Explanation of The Boundary Survey Process
This originated in the office of Oscar Larson, an old timer in Eureka who was well known and respected for his land surveying abilities. The following is a copy of a letter written by a land surveyor to explain the many steps that are necessary before a property survey can be completed. It gives an excellent explanation of why the cost of a small survey may appear to be so high when compared with the time the survey crew actually spends on the ground, or when compared with other surveys. For that reason we feel it is worth repeating, it is as follows:
 THE CLIENT MUST AT SOME TIME EXPLAIN WHAT HE OR SHE REQUIRES from the land surveyor. There are many different types of land surveys. This may take considerable time.
RESEARCH: Before any work is attempted, a thorough knowledge of the legal boundaries of the property must be obtained. It is not likely the client will know what the surveyor needs; therefore, it is necessary for the surveyor to look all of these things up. This involves office time, travel expenses, considerable research and possibly involving consultation with other surveyors, attorneys, or individuals involved in the survey. In some cases, this may take several days. Having this information in hand, the surveyor then searches previous surveys to find data as to the locations of physical monuments on which these documents are based.
EVIDENCE: The monuments mentioned above must be found in the field in the order that the required measurements may be taken from them. At this point, it is usual to find some of the monuments have been destroyed, moved, damaged or do not correspond with the record measurements.
MEASUREMENTS: The field party measures to check existing monuments and then runs lines and sets corners where it is possible to do so. However, in most cases, it is not possible to complete a project or set monuments at this stage, so the field crew returns their findings to the office.
COMPUTATIONS: Field notes, which consist of measurements of horizontal and vertical angles and slope distances must be reduced to Bearings, True Distances and Positions before they can be evaluated. This involves considerable mathematical computation in the office and the results may then be plotted on a map, sketch or preliminary plat of survey.
INVESTIGATION: The data and evidence found is then compared with matters of record, such as deeds, centerline records, plats, older surveys, etc… In many cases, there are Prima Facie defects in these records such as overlaps, gaps, erroneous or contradictory descriptions, missing data, etc… Resolving these existing defects is usually part of the required survey.
SOLUTION: The surveyor then decides what must be done to complete the required survey and the necessary computations are made to enable the field crew to set monuments or run lines or do whatever is required by the client.
SETTING CORNERS AND/OR LINES: The field crew then returns and establishes corners and/or property line locations from the previously found points or traverse (temporary points). This is often the first time the client actually sees the surveyors on the job site and may be surprised to see how quickly the work proceeds.
RECORDS: Upon completion of the survey required, all records must be completed and filed. This also takes considerable time.
REPORTS: Very frequently the client will need explanations or advise concerning his or her situation. The attorney, title company or land representative may also require information as to the findings of the Survey. Often clients request detailed statements regarding charges for the survey fees, although such detail is not meaningful to most people unless they understand the situation as outlined herein. |
