| The practice of surveying land dates back to | | | | theodolite measures both vertical and horizontal |
| ancient history. Surveying is used for a number of | | | | angles, as used in triangulation networks. After |
| interrelated purposes, such as to establish a | | | | these steps are accomplished, the property |
| precise location on the earth of a parcel of land | | | | description and plat are prepared. |
| along with its exact acreage, to ascertain | | | | Interpreting the results of a land survey is not as |
| boundaries for defining an area of ownership and | | | | difficult as it may first seem. For instance, a |
| tax liability, and to identify a property by a written | | | | property plat will usually always contain the |
| legal description or to provide a review of the | | | | following information: a directional orientation, |
| accuracy of an existing description. This data is of | | | | typically indicated with an arrow pointing north; the |
| the utmost importance with regard to buying and | | | | bearing and distance of each boundary line; the |
| selling land, and is also used to insure a clean, | | | | property lines of other properties shown on the |
| marketable title. | | | | plat (also known as departing property lines); the |
| There are many different kinds of surveys that | | | | names of adjacent property owners listed in the |
| can be performed. For undeveloped land a | | | | areas of their property that are shown on the |
| boundary survey is typically employed. This type | | | | plat; any corner monuments, along with the |
| of survey measures the actual physical extent of | | | | names of any natural monuments (such as |
| the property in question. Most surveys - | | | | "Smith's Creek", for example) or a brief |
| regardless of type - progress through the | | | | description of any unnamed natural monuments |
| following general procedures: first, any pertinent | | | | (such as "the 30-foot pine tree"); and a title block |
| deeds, contracts, maps or other documents that | | | | containing the property's location and name of |
| contain a description of the property's boundaries | | | | owner, the surveyor's name, the date the survey |
| are located, studied and interpreted. A | | | | was performed, the scale of the plat and any |
| determination is made of what the actual | | | | other relevant data. |
| property description is deemed to be, along with | | | | If you need the services of a land surveyor, be |
| the locations of any physical evidence of the | | | | sure that you're hiring an experienced, certified |
| boundaries (in the form of both natural and | | | | and highly competent professional. Surveyors can |
| man-made monuments or markers) that exist in | | | | certainly be found in the Yellow Pages, but word |
| the field. The property is then measured to | | | | of mouth is often invaluable. Ask a relative, friend |
| establish the boundaries, not only using the | | | | or co-worker who's recently made use of a land |
| appropriate existing monuments but with the | | | | surveyor's expertise, or inquire with the local tax |
| creation and referencing of new markers where | | | | assessor for recommendations. Professional |
| necessary. Measurements are accomplished using | | | | organizations can also be instrumental in identifying |
| a theodolite and other surveying tools. The | | | | their members in your local area. |