Hiring a survey company is one of the first steps in any development project. It is important to choose a company that can deliver the results you need. Survey data is used for boundary and topographic surveys, construction staking, and other early steps, including those required by lenders in commercial real estate. Because this information is so important, you should look for survey companies with strong experience. This article explains what to consider when comparing surveyors to find the right one for your project.
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What a Surveying Company Does
Surveyors provide essential data for construction, mapmaking, and legal documents. They connect architects, engineers, and the land itself. You might hire a surveying firm when buying land, refinancing a mortgage, putting up a new fence, building an addition, or subdividing property. These are important projects, so accuracy is crucial.
When Mistakes are Made
A mistake in a property survey can disrupt real estate deals, cause disputes with neighbors, and lead to serious financial losses. If boundary lines or easements are wrong, property owners may face expensive legal battles or even have to remove buildings built in the wrong place.
What to Consider When Selecting a Survey Company
Because this work is so important, you should carefully check any survey company you are considering. Before hiring, ask questions to confirm their licensing, define the scope of work, and make sure you understand the costs.
Here are some key things to consider.
Project Scope
Project scope is the starting point for any surveying job. It determines the type of survey you need, such as boundary, topographical, or construction staking, and helps set your budget and expectations. A clear scope lets you find a surveyor with the right skills, avoids extra work, and ensures you only pay for what you need.
Knowing your project scope is important for several reasons when choosing a surveyor:
- Matches expertise to your needs
- Provides accurate bidding
- Prevents scope creep and delays
- Manages deliverables and timelines
- Mitigates long-term risk
Experience
The first step is to find out how much experience the surveyor has with the type of work you need. For example, if you have a commercial project, look for someone who has worked on similar projects. A surveyor should have at least four years of supervised field and office experience. To certify legal boundaries or property lines, they must be licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), which requires this experience and passing tough exams.
State licensing boards typically scale the required experience based on the surveyor’s formal education:
- With a 4-year surveying degree: Minimum of 2 years of supervised experience.
- With a 2-year surveying degree: Minimum of 4 to 5 years.
- With a high school diploma/apprenticeship: 7 to 9 years of direct, verifiable field and office work.
In addition to the licensed surveyor who signs the map, the field crew leader, also known as the Party Chief, should have at least 3 to 4 years of practical field experience.
Licensing
Check the company’s state license by searching North Carolina’s board registry (the NCBELS license search) to make sure they are an active, licensed PLS. Also, confirm the company’s insurance. Ask for proof of liability and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance to protect yourself if there are mapping mistakes.
Local Knowledge
A good surveyor should have experience working in your state or county. Local expertise is important because boundary laws and historical records can vary widely from place to place.
Why Searching for “Land Surveyors Near Me” Is Not Effective
Searching for “land surveyors near me” often doesn't work well because general search results may not indicate whether a company is licensed, has the right expertise, or is available. To find the right professional for your needs, it is better to use a more focused approach.
- Specialization matters: Surveying covers many areas. A company that is great at large construction grading might not have the skills needed for a complicated residential boundary survey.
- Licensing is local and specific: Surveying rules and historical records can be very different depending on where you are. You need a surveyor who is licensed in your state and knows your county’s records.
- Availability issues: The best local companies are often busy and may have long waitlists. If you only use a quick web search, you might end up with a company that is not available or does not offer good customer support.
- General vs. specialized results: Generic search sites may show businesses that are general contractors or not qualified to handle specific land title or boundary issues.
Better Ways to Find a Reliable Surveyor
Here are some better ways to find the right surveyor:
Partner with Trusted Land Surveyor Bateman Civil Survey Company
Bateman Civil Survey Company has over 20 years of experience providing expert surveying services for land development in North and South Carolina. We specialize in ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, Boundary and Topographic Surveys, Construction Staking, Stream and Wetland Mapping, Subsurface Utility Engineering, Final Plat and Legal Document Preparation, and more. We are licensed in 10 states on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Since 2002, we have offered high-quality consulting in engineering, land surveying, and planning for both public and private clients.
Contact Bateman Civil Survey Today
Contact Bateman Civil Survey today to find out how our surveying services can help with your next project. We look forward to hearing from you. Please fill out the form, and we will respond soon.
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