| Are you considering having a land survey done on | | | | encroach on their land? |
| your property? There are many survey related | | | | The fence has to be my property line, it's been |
| misconceptions that can steer you the wrong | | | | there a hundred years - Fences, especially those |
| way. Here is the truth about 7 common surveying | | | | built decades ago, are only an approximation of |
| myths: | | | | where the property line is or was thought to be. |
| Land surveys aren't necessary if you can find the | | | | Even if that fence has been used for decades, |
| survey stakes - If you find the survey stakes | | | | that doesn't automatically make it the property |
| from a previous survey, all you know is that | | | | line. |
| there was a previous surveyor who determined | | | | All land has already been surveyed, it's just a |
| that this location was on the edge of the | | | | matter of finding the survey - Although you may |
| property. The land surveyor you hire can tell you | | | | be ale to find old maps created for tax purposes, |
| if what you've found is really your property line; | | | | in many cases the land you own may have never |
| you may be surprised to learn that in many | | | | been surveyed. Even if you do find a previous |
| cases, what you think is a surveying monument | | | | survey from decades ago, it may not always help |
| may not be it at all. Plus, your findings won't hold | | | | solve your issue or assist you in identifying the |
| up in court, but a licensed land surveyor's would. | | | | actual property lines on the ground, especially if |
| It's very rare for a neighbor to encroach over a | | | | the surveyor's monuments are long gone. |
| property line - Don't be so sure that you aren't | | | | I don't need a second survey if the land was |
| encroaching onto property that legally belongs to | | | | surveyed years ago - Land survey is an art, not |
| your neighbor, or that they aren't technically on | | | | an exact science. It is possible for two surveyors |
| your property. Land surveyors see these types | | | | to obtain different results. Also, the |
| of issues all of the time. Hiring a land surveyor to | | | | measurements are made based on the evidence |
| mark the exact property line is a good | | | | found; surveyors working at different points in |
| investment in your property. | | | | time may not have the same evidence available. |
| I can build my fence on the property line without | | | | The new surveyor will have the benefit of the |
| a survey - Even when you're sure you're building | | | | monuments set by the previous surveyor, if they |
| only on your land, protect your investment by | | | | are still in existence, as well as any records |
| making sure that you know exactly where the | | | | recorded after the previous survey. If the |
| property lines are. If it turns out that you have | | | | previous survey's results are being questioned, it |
| built onto a neighboring property, you may be | | | | may be worth it to have another survey done. |
| forced to tear down your work. Think twice | | | | Having a survey done is too expensive - Not |
| before building a fence right on the property line, | | | | having a survey done when you really need one |
| even if you know right where it is. Can you | | | | can cost you thousands of dollars. Is it worth the |
| maintain the other side without trespassing on | | | | risk? This professional service is well worth the |
| your neighbor's property? Will the footings | | | | cost. |