What is a survey? It depends on what you need. Here are a few options. Once you know what you need, click here to receive your quote.
Property Line Assurance: This includes finding the property corners and marking property lines. Drawing is not included.
Full Boundary Survey: This includes all of the Property Line Assurance (finding the property corners and marking property lines) as well as a drawing signed and stamped by the surveyor, suitable for recording.
Boundary Survey Plus: This includes all of the Full Boundary Survey but with much greater detail on the drawing, such as planning extensive landscaping, light construction, etc. Drawing will be signed and stamped by the surveyor, suitable for recording.
Subdivision of Property: This includes the creation of new lines to divide existing property, as well as marking the property corners and lines for the new division, and a drawing signed and stamped by the surveyor, suitable for recording. This is a estimate, the final price will depend on the shape of the subdivision, and if a driveway easement will need to be added.
Elevation Certificate: Determine elevation of building for flood insurance purposes. Drawing is not included. Certificate and photos will be emailed to client upon completion.
Site Plan: This includes site staking as well as a detailed drawing of proposed improvements to the lot, with the surveyor's seal (sent as a PDF via email). If you already have building plans, septic permit, and/or a sketch of the house and driveway placement, please send that information to us before field work begins.
Other Types of Surveys
As built Surveys
Construction Layout
Elevation Certificate
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. Because of this, 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 plan to build/install a fence along a road-way, please follow up with your County and/or City Planning Department to make sure you are following all local ordinances. 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 / Boundary Plus:
Full Boundary and Physical Improvement Surveys are marked on site and also come with a drawing, suitable to be recorded. Please allow about a week for your drawing to be completed. *(We have been blessed with a busy year and experiencing drafting delays). 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 once it gets updated. *(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 you 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 about a week for your drawing to be completed. *(We have been blessed with a busy year and experiencing drafting delays)
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 personally handle the submittal process.)
4. 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 a friend or colleague, who will need to sign on the “Attest” line. If a Notary Certificate is present on the drawing, the owner will need to sign in front of a Notary who must then sign and stamp the Notary Certificate.
5. Take the signed mylar (transparent plastic copy) and 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 (if not paid previously). 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). Planning can help you with any questions.
6. 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. You can then also follow up with Land Records/Addressing Departments if the property requires a new address. Planning should be able to help you with that process or may handle it for you. 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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