Site surveys are a necessary tool for determining property lines and the location of a property's features. Without these surveys, there would be no way to know where one piece of land ends and the other begins. While today's property disputes may not result in the same level of conflict as they did centuries ago, it's important for everyone to know who owns what.
A site survey will define the dimensions and location of any site, building, or site improvements of a property. The survey will also define the legal description of the property being surveyed.
Completing your due diligence when it comes to property and site surveys can save you from making a costly mistake, like starting to build on someone else’s property. There are several other reasons for performing a site survey, such as:
Finding property lines
Meeting mortgage requirements
Obtaining title insurance
Building a new structure on the property
Locating easements
Locating utilities
Defining a property that is being sold
Contractors often complete a site survey before construction begins. The contractor will survey a job site to determine the following:
Entrance/exit locations
Requirements for site access-temp roads
Concrete disposal location
Construction material storage locations
Water for the site
Temporary toilet location and quantity
Dumpster locations
Job site trailer location
Safety protocol in event of an accident
Location of first aid
Meeting location in event of fire or tornado
Required signage for OSHA and right to work
In commercial construction, a civil survey is required on every project. The civil survey defines the property boundaries, elevations, utilities, buildings, and paving locations. This survey includes landscaping and SWPP requirements to satisfy local code requirements. The contractor partners with a licensed civil engineer to generate a civil plan for a specific project, and then receives a certification stamp from the licensed engineer. Residential construction will require a less stringent survey completed by a surveyor or contractor.
Simply put, site surveys will ensure exactly where your property lines are located, making the building and financing process much easier. Each of the examples of a site survey is an integral part of the construction process.