Order Updated Property Survey
Before excavation begins, you need a licensed surveyor to stake your property corners and verify that your planned addition falls within all setback requirements. This $300-600 investment prevents costly mistakes and legal disputes.
Quick Summary
Time needed
1-2 weeks
Cost
$300-$600
Professional help
Licensed surveyor
Why This Step Matters
Your property survey from when you bought the house might be outdated or lack physical markers. Before excavation, you need visible stakes in the ground showing exactly where your property lines are. Building even a few inches over your property line can result in forced demolition or expensive lawsuits.
Critical Warning
Never rely on fences, driveways, or "where the neighbor says the line is" as property boundaries. These informal markers are frequently wrong by several feet. Only a licensed survey provides legal certainty.
How to Order Your Survey
Find Licensed Surveyors
Search for "licensed land surveyor" in your area. Check that they're registered with your state's board of professional engineers and surveyors. Get quotes from at least 3 surveyors.
Ask your contractor: They often have surveyor relationships and can recommend someone who responds quickly to construction timelines.
Request a Boundary Survey with Staking
When calling surveyors, specifically request:
- Boundary survey: Locates all property corners
- Physical staking: Iron pins or wooden stakes at each corner
- Setback verification: Confirm your addition location meets requirements
- Plot plan: Written document showing dimensions and setbacks
Provide Existing Documents
Share your existing survey from when you bought the house, architectural plans for the addition, and any permits or zoning documents. This helps the surveyor work faster and costs you less.
Pro tip: If you have your original survey, some surveyors offer a discounted "re-stake" service rather than a full new survey. Ask about this option.
Schedule for Before Excavation
Time the survey to happen at least 3-5 days before excavation is scheduled. This gives you time to address any issues, such as discovering your planned addition is too close to a property line.
Coordinate with your contractor: Share the survey results immediately so they can verify the excavation boundaries match the staked corners.
Protect the Stakes
Once stakes are in place, mark them with bright flagging tape and communicate their location to everyone on site. If a stake gets disturbed, you'll need to pay the surveyor to come back.
- • Take photos of stake locations from multiple angles
- • Measure from stakes to permanent features (house corner, tree, etc.)
- • Add orange flagging tape or paint for visibility
- • Warn excavation crews before they begin
Survey Types and What They Cost
Different survey types serve different purposes. Here's what you need for a home addition:
| Survey Type | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Survey* | $300-$600 | Property corners, staking, plot plan |
| ALTA Survey | $1,500-$3,000 | Detailed for commercial/legal use |
| Topographic Survey | $500-$1,200 | Elevation changes, drainage |
| As-Built Survey | $400-$800 | Post-construction verification |
*Recommended for home additions. Your building department may require a specific survey type.
What You'll Receive
Physical Markers
- • Iron pins at each corner (permanent)
- • Wooden stakes with flagging (temporary)
- • Offset stakes if corners are inaccessible
- • String line showing property boundaries
Documentation
- • Certified survey plat (legal document)
- • Property dimensions to 0.01 foot
- • Existing structure locations
- • Setback distances from each line
- • Easement locations (if any)
Verifying Setbacks Before Excavation
The survey results should confirm your addition location complies with all setbacks. Have your surveyor mark these critical distances:
If any measurement is less than required: Stop and consult your architect immediately. You may need to adjust the addition footprint or apply for a variance before proceeding with excavation.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already have a survey from when I bought my house. Do I need another one?
Your old survey document is still valid, but the physical markers may be gone. You likely just need a "re-stake" service where the surveyor finds the original pins and places visible stakes. This typically costs $200-$400, less than a full survey.
How long does a property survey take?
The field work typically takes 2-4 hours. However, scheduling can take 1-2 weeks depending on surveyor availability. Plan ahead and book early in your site prep phase.
What if the surveyor finds my neighbor's fence is on my property?
This is more common than you'd think. Don't panic or confront your neighbor immediately. Consult a real estate attorney about your options. For your addition, proceed based on the actual property line, not the fence location.
Does my contractor need to be present during the survey?
Not required, but highly recommended. Your contractor can point out the planned excavation area, ask questions, and immediately flag any potential issues with setback distances. It saves time and potential misunderstandings.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once your property is surveyed and staked, the next critical step is calling 811 to have underground utilities marked before any excavation begins.