| When it comes to conducting a residential land | | | | A surveyor will utilize these survey tools, such as |
| survey, there are many different surveys that | | | | GPS equipment to determine if the boundaries |
| can be done. Some may be conducted to | | | | that are in existence today are the same as the |
| determine boundary lines and other may be | | | | documents that are on file. The most accurate |
| required before construction can begin. Another | | | | way to do this is with the GPS surveying. The |
| type of survey should be conducted before | | | | GPS can quickly find the boundaries and map |
| purchasing land. A lender may require this in order | | | | them out using software. This software can be |
| to determine the acreage along with showing the | | | | plugged into the computer to create a virtual map |
| buildings that are located on the land. The survey | | | | of the boundaries and buildings located on the site. |
| equipment that is used in residential property | | | | When an area is in a forest or high elevations, a |
| surveying is similar to the equipment that is used | | | | GPS survey may not be practical. In these |
| for other types of surveys. | | | | instances, the survey equipment that is going to |
| There are many steps that need to be taken by | | | | be used is known as an EDM. An EDM stands for |
| land surveyors before a report is given. This | | | | electronic measurement device. Another name for |
| report will include the exact boundaries of the | | | | it is total stations. These come with built in |
| property as well as any other research that is | | | | computers and software so that the survey can |
| needed. The surveying instruments will be | | | | be conducted and the data stored for transfer to |
| determined by the types of surveys that are | | | | another computer with CAD capabilities that will |
| required on a specific survey. Each survey is | | | | map out the data. |
| different so the survey tools will be different as | | | | Land surveyors will also take more than one |
| well. | | | | measurement. It can take many to pinpoint the |
| One of the first steps a land surveyor will | | | | exact property lines. The GPS can be used in |
| conducts is a background check on the property. | | | | conjunction with the EDM in order to double check |
| They will research the title, deed and other | | | | the measurements against themselves. This |
| documents associated with the property. In this | | | | allows for a more exact boundary line. When the |
| day and age, many advances have been made to | | | | land lines are in dispute, the surveyor may need |
| make this research much easier to obtain. Instead | | | | to be an expert witness to validate the true |
| of having to go to the county clerk's office, many | | | | boundary lines. |
| surveyors can use the computer to do this | | | | A land survey may use other types of survey |
| research. What would have taken weeks of | | | | equipment but the ones listed here are the most |
| legwork can actually be accomplished in minutes | | | | common. Property line disputes are very common |
| when a computer is used as piece of survey | | | | and surveyors can be kept busy keeping these |
| equipment. | | | | boundaries intact. |