Table of Contents
What Is a Land Survey
Types of Land Surveys
Land Survey Cost
Land Survey Cost Estimates
Land Survey Cost Examples
When Is a Land Survey Required?
Can You Perform Your Own Land Survey?
Land Survey Cost Bottom Line
What Is a Land Survey?
A land survey, also known as a property survey, is a drawing that shows the precise boundaries of a person’s property. Land surveys also lay out the dimensions and exact locations of buildings on the property—including houses, sheds, garages, or storefronts. The most common type of land survey is a boundary survey, but various other types of land surveys exist, including topographic surveys, construction surveys, and subdivision surveys.
Types of Land Surveys
- Boundary Survey: Determines the exact property lines and is the most affordable type of land survey.
- Topographic Survey: Includes information on the land's elevation and natural features, costing more due to its complexity.
- Construction Survey: Used for new constructions and includes staking out the property for buildings, roads, etc.
- Subdivision Survey: Needed for dividing a property into smaller lots, usually more expensive due to the detailed work required.
Land Survey Cost
The cost of a land survey is typically between $250 and $800, with the national average being $550. The exact cost of a land survey depends on the type of survey that you’re trying to get. Certain states, such as California, also require people to pay additional fees to get them done. California is known for having incredibly expensive surveys, with a typical survey costing between $5,000 and $10,000.
Though typical surveys tend to be affordable, specialty surveys can easily cost more. For example, ALTA surveys can cost between $2,000 and $3,000 due to the extra work and research that needs to be performed.
Land Survey Cost Estimates
Boundary Survey
- Average residential lot: $250 to $800
- Larger residential or small commercial property: $500 to $1,500
Topographic Survey
- Small lot: $600 to $1,200
- Larger or more complex property: $1,000 to $2,000+
Construction Survey
- Small project: $1,000 to $2,000
- Larger construction project: $2,000 to $5,000+
Subdivision Survey
- Depends heavily on the number of lots and complexity: $2,000 to $10,000+
Land Survey Cost Examples
Small Urban Residential Lot (1/4 acre)
- Boundary Survey: $250 to $800
- Topographic Survey: $600 to $1,200
Large Rural Property (10 acres)
- Boundary Survey: $1,000 to $2,000
- Topographic Survey: $2,000 to $5,000
Subdivision of a 20-acre Plot into 5 Lots
- Subdivision Survey: $5,000 to $10,000+
When Is a Land Survey Required?
Land surveys are required for various reasons, all of which tend to be legal in nature. The reason why you need a survey varies based on the type of survey that you need to get. The general gist is that surveys are used to flesh out the details of a transaction.
For example, an ALTA survey is used when you want to buy a home or investment survey as part of a lender’s requirements. Boundary surveys are done to settle boundary disputes. Subdivision surveys are used to establish smaller divisions of a larger land plot and are typically filed with local offices.
Land surveys are generally required whenever one of the following is true:
- You are planning a major construction, like a home or a shopping center.
- You have a boundary issue with a neighbor that’s headed to court.
- You are changing the boundaries of your land for a subdivision.
- Your land recently experienced (or will experience) a significant change, such as a major chasm due to an earthquake or a newly-planned manmade lake.
- You’re trying to plan for site improvements or want to convert a lot of land into a new construction.
- You need to get insurance for a new home purchase.
- You have been asked to perform a survey by your town or by a court.
Can You Perform Your Own Land Survey?
No, most (if not all) states will not allow property owners to perform land surveys on their own. There are many reasons for this, but it’s mainly because surveying does not allow any room for error. As such, it requires professional-level skills. Moreover, doing your own land survey could be considered to be a conflict of interest.
If you want to become a land surveyor, then you have your work cut out for you. It’s not an easy career track to choose, which is partly why the price of a surveyor tends to be as high as it is.
Every state has its own unique set of requirements when it comes to land surveyor qualifications. Most will have their own educational requirements, professional licensure, as well as minimum experience. To become a surveyor, you also will need to pass an exam and follow through with continued education.
Land Suvery Cost Bottom Line
The cost of a land survey can vary significantly based on several factors. Typical costs range from a few hundred dollars for a simple boundary survey on a small lot to several thousand dollars for more complex surveys or larger properties. By understanding the factors that influence these costs and obtaining multiple quotes, you can ensure you get a fair price for the survey services you need.
Land surveys are essential as they help protect consumers from potentially bad-faith projects. They can also help towns keep accurate records of properties. They are there to help everyone, and while they might get expensive, they’re worth every penny.