Land Survey - Do I need one done professionally?

If a land survey has been done in the past by the seller (albeit 20 years ago and the stakes may or may not still exist), do I need to get a full survey done professionally or can I do one myself to re-establish the corner points. I just need to be able to see the land I purchased clearly marked.





Also, exactly what does a survey/staking entail?

Land Survey - Do I need one done professionally?
If there have been any improvements (buildings) to the property since the last survey, your mortgage company may require a new one. The mortgage broker or real estate agent should be able to help you find one. The price depends on the amount of acreage and how hard/easy it is for the survey crew to get to (creeks, woods, etc.) The price probably varies in different parts of the country, but the last one I had done (sorry can't remember # acres because I can't remember which piece of property it was for but it was %26gt;3 %26lt; 30) was several hundred dollars (Texas). They come out with survey equipment and "shoot" the boundaries, which means they locate the stakes and measure the property lines according to the plat on file and make any corrections. It's good to have one if there is any question about where a particular stake is or if there are any structures, easements, perimeter fences, etc. that would involve owners of adjoining property.
Reply:If you have the field notes from the 20-year old survey and can actually locate the pins or markings, you should be fine. Sometimes they mark a corner by saying x amount of distance to a 6 inch live oak. Well that was 20 years ago . . . so unless they used 5/8" iron rods or something durable, I'd have the boundary staked versus a full-on survey with field notes. The surveyor should be able to look at the field notes from that original survey and re-stake the corners for you.


(guys, it sounds as if he already purchased the land, so no lender involved to make any requirements).
Reply:Well unless it is just for your own purposes you can not do the survey yourself unless you are PLS. Most companies, backs, insurance and title companies will require a survey be done by a professional.


here is a link to a FAQ about the need for surveys.