Your Survey is Complete, now what?
Thank you so much for working with us! Please find your survey type below to read more about your next steps and let us know if you have any questions.
Property Line Assurance / Property Line Assurance Plus:
If you ordered one of our PLA type surveys, then you are probably planning on doing some yard work or installing a fence. PLA surveys are marked on site for your reference only and do not come with a drawing, so it is a good idea to move forward with fence installation right away while the flagging is fresh. We always recommend installing 6 inches inside your property line(s) to assure you stay inside the bounds of your parcel. If you are having issues with a neighbor, it is a good idea to take pictures of your marking in case they decide to move or pull up our flags.
Full Boundary / Physical Improvement Survey:
Full Boundary and Physical Improvement Surveys are marked on site and also come with a drawing, suitable to be recorded. Once your drawing is completed, we will send you a PDF (digital copy) as well as printed copies. If you’re interested in recording your plat (not required), take the mylar (the transparent film copy), at least one paper copy, and at least $21 in cash to your county’s Register of Deeds office. Once you provide these documents to the clerk at the Register of Deeds, the clerk will record your plat and assign the drawing a plat book and page number. After it is recorded, you can keep the paper copies for your files as well as have access to the plat on the public data base. (Note: your plat should be recorded at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the parcel is located. They will not accept plats from different counties. Most Register of Deeds offices only accept cash and have a $21 recording fee, but to account for increases in fees, we suggest having more cash on hand)
Subdivisions / Recombinations / Lot Line Changes / Easements:
Any type of survey that requires approval by the Planning Department will need to go through a several step process.
Pre-approval: Before any subdivision or other change of lot shape is performed, it is wise to run by the appropriate Planning Department to make sure they do not see any issues and to acquire the most recent road frontage and setback zoning regulations. If y ou need help with this, we can work together to present the idea to the correct official.
Await your scheduled field work date(s). Before field work can begin, we require a 30% deposit which can be paid online. Please let us know if you do not receive your invoice via email. After field work is completed, your project will move to drafting. Please allow 3-4 business days for your drawing to be completed.
Once your drawing is completed, we will send you a PDF version for you to review. After you confirm your approval, we will send the PDF to Planning for their review before printing. (Note: If the parcel falls under a county that does not accept digital copies (example, Guilford County), or if your county only accepts submittals through their online portals like Durham, or City of Burlington, you will need to pay their review fee and handle the submittal process. You can reach out to your Planning Department for help in these instances.)
Once Planning has approved the drawing, we can print your copies and mail directly to you. The current property owner(s) will need to sign the drawings (if applicable) in front of a Notary, who will need to sign on the “Attest” line.
Take the signed mylar (transparent plastic copy) and all paper copies to the appropriate Planning Department so they can sign and then record. (Note: At this time, you will need to pay any associated review and recording fees. Review fees are different for each department but typically range from $75-$375 and recording fees are typically $21. If your survey required several departments to sign off, it may take a few days before the process is complete, or they may sign and send you to the next department (for instance Environmental Health). The Planning department official can help you with any questions.
Once the mylar has been signed and recorded, you will then be assigned a plat book and page number and can follow up with your attorney if you require an updated deed. Any left over paper copies can be kept for your files.
*Each county has a slightly different process so these instructions should be viewed as guidelines. To further complicate things, many counties are hindered by COVID restrictions. It is highly advised to call ahead and make an appointment with any government department.
Site Plan / Plot Plan / Placement / Foundation / As Built Survey:
Site Plan surveys are typically for improvements to a lot like new home builds or additions. Once your field work and drawing are completed, we will send you a signed/sealed PDF (digital copy) that you will then need to submit to the associated Planning Department for approval. Every county and/or City have a slightly different submittal process. Some allow you to send the PDF directly to them for their review and comments, and some require you to submit via their online portal. You will need to reach out to your Planning Department for directions on how to submit, any forms you will need to fill out, and how to pay the associated review fees. It is not uncommon for the Planning Department to have a few comments that need to be addressed on the drawing. Simply forward their comments to us, and we will make the needed revisions. (Please note: Once you are ready for the next step in the building process, whether it be staking for excavation, pinning the foundation, final As Built survey – let us know as soon as possible. We are typically 4-5 weeks out with scheduling– depending on the time of year.)
Elevation Certificate:
Elevation Certificates are typically ordered for insurance purposes. Once our field work is complete, we will send you the Certificate along with photos (via email/PDF). Please reach out to your insurance or leader to see if there are any forms they need you to submit along with your completed Elevation Certificate and photos (when applicable).
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