A land surveyor is an expert who uses various techniques to measure and draw multiple lines and dimensions of the land. There are various definitions of a land surveyor, but in this case, we will be defining it according to the demand of a homeowner survey equipment.
A land surveyor is also one who uses some technical materials and methods to plot and identify various properties of land. They also help signify the state of the land, whether it has been encroached by neighbors, etc.
The State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors was enacted in 1935 to guide individuals by providing a means to safeguard life, property, health and enhance the public welfare. They achieve this by providing individuals licensing and regulations in engineering and land surveying practice.
They can perform this goal by providing a means where minimum qualifications can be achieved for entry into the land surveying and engineering profession by adopting rules that define and delineate unlawful conduct and enforce effective discipline to individuals who flaunt the law application.
In most states, newly licensed surveyors must have at least a four-year degree in surveying or any related field. Plus four to eight years of training on the job under the watchful supervision of a professional, licensed surveyor. The surveyor is also informed to update and increase their skills and professional knowledge by registering and attending professional surveyor classes yearly.
Subdivision Survey – When preparing for a mortgage survey for your house, there are various activities that the surveyor does. They may review the deeds, maps, zoning ordinances, flood maps, tax, Aerial maps, subdivision regulations, and subdivision plats. For lot surveys, the most important deals with the subdivision plat. This is because the subdivision plat’s information provides the main dimensions of the lot and the property sides’ position. It also helps the surveyor to determine the location or re-establish the location of the sides of the property.
When surveying, the surveyor team will locate the corners of your property along with that of your neighbor so that your land sides cannot be found. They also measure the angles and distances between various property points and discover where there can be a possible improvement of the property like swimming pools, sidewalks, fences, driveways, walls, outbuildings, etc.
Other improvements also include overhead power lines, sanitary sewer mains, storm drainage ways, etc.; these are located in the site as a source of property easement. These essentials should be located in the plat, but not all plat reveals it.
After getting all this information, the chief surveyor records and draws a preliminary sketch of the site, then gets it across to a draftsperson who further creates the finishing sketch for use. The draftsperson is also the one who does the final check of all the dimensions, as mentioned earlier, to ensure the building’s easements and setback lines are seen. Any inconsistency or discrepancies is revealed in the drawing.
This drawing is what an attorney uses as leverage for checking if more legal work is required. Mortgage companies also use it to ensure you have the right property to request for a loan.
Conclusion
It is relevant to know the meaning and duties of a surveyor. Their relevance to building and purchase of land properties cannot be undermined. They are relevant in purchasing land, land protection, acquiring loans, etc. Having full knowledge of a surveyor’s meaning and function makes it easy to utilize their services.
