A land survey report will contain accurate and comprehensive data about the physical attributes of a site which is very important for any development., it will arm you with information about current and past ground conditions.
By telling you the surface area, topography, boundary details, buildings and structure heights etc, a land survey reduces the risk of unforeseen complications which can cost time and money. They may take the form of an intensely detailed map of an area, including measurements and positioning of all property, or a simple a skeletal plan with only the key features depending on the needs of the development.
If necessary they may include;
- Environmental surveys, of the animal and plant life
- Rural surveys, of how best to utilise farmland
- A built environment survey, which details the impact buildings and infrastructure have on people which use the area
- Minerals and waste survey, which asses what lies under the land
- Or simply a geometric survey, which is a detailed map of where boundaries and buildings are
If you’re building a house, a house survey gives the following information when purchased from Wilbourn Associates; local area search results for radon gasses, flood plain survey results for your house postcode (narrows the risk down to a single street in many cases) and shrinking clay problems in the past.
Homebuyers or developers can get a separate report, with more relevant information about existing buildings. These would usually contain;
- What the surveyor looks at and how the inspection is carried out
- Summary of condition ratings and the surveyor’s overall opinion of the property
- Features of the property
- Elements outside of the property
- Elements inside of the property
- Services•
- Garage, permanent outbuildings and grounds
- Issues for your legal advisers
- Risks to the building (including damp, timber and structural movement), grounds, people and other
- Market value
- What to do next
- Maintenance notes
- House diagram
When boundary disputes to occurs, a land surveyor is often employed as to provide the detailed information required to resolve the issue before it is taken to court where costs will quickly escalate. The survey itself consists of Plans, which can show as much detail as required, but a typical plan would be produced at a scale of 1:200 showing all surface features, overhead cables and services – all identified wherever possible.
It will also show the location of land related encumbrances, such as rights of way, easements, and roadways. The location of survey bars are often noted on the document as well.Contours and level spacing will be shown as specified by the client. These days plans can be supplied plans in a variety of file formats or printed as hard copy, again as specified by the client.
This can include CAD drawings, which can be used directly by architects and designers, 3D maps to give the most visual representation or simply .pdf files so they are easily viewable and transferable on any computer. They are accompanied by a raft of other information which help make sense of the plan, again, the amount of information depends on the needs of the developer, for example a report for a boundary dispute between farmland will only result in a very simple report establishing boundary lines, whereas a land survey for a housing development in a built up area would need to be much more detailed.
In order to compile and complete this document there is a detailed process that must be rigorously followed. Title must be searched for the subject property as well as surrounding properties. A search of all pertinent encumbrances must be conducted. A search is also conducted to obtain all plans relating to the location and boundaries of the subject property.
A field survey must then be conducted to determine the physical boundaries of the property and the location of buildings and any improvements. At this time the corner markers are also set. Next the field research is analyzed and the plan illustrating the results of the survey and title search is completed.