The process of surveying your property is, among other things, a science. First, you need to get an accurate measurement of the land’s topography and boundaries before determining how much land you actually own and where it begins and ends. A land surveyor does all this by laying out stakes or markers at specific locations on your property and then measuring distances between them with a measuring wheel or laser rangefinder. This data is then used to create maps that lay out the boundaries of your property as well as any buildings or structures on it. Below are six techniques brought to you by The Surveying Company which provides a registered surveyor in Auckland, for choosing the right land surveyor for your case.
Get at least three quotes.
When you are looking for a land surveyor, it’s important to get at least three quotes. It’s also important to ask for references and be sure that they have experience with the type of project you’re looking at. They should be able to provide you with a list of past clients and their contact information. They should also be able to provide a list of current clients as well as past projects they’ve worked on. Finally, they should be able to give you an idea of what their future plans are in terms of land surveying projects so that we can find out if there is going to be any overlap between our needs and theirs.
Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations.
If you have friends or family who has used a land surveyor before, ask them for recommendations. They may be able to give you information about the price and quality of the services provided by different companies.
Remember that people are more likely to vouch for a business if they had a positive experience with it; therefore, also consider asking friends and neighbours who had issues with their land surveyor or any other service provider.
Verify the land surveyor’s credentials.
Before you hire a right land surveyor, check to make sure that he or she is certified by the national association for professional surveyors. The national association for professional surveyors (NAPLS) maintains an online directory where you can verify whether your chosen land surveyor is a member of this organization.
You should also check with your state’s licensing board or any other relevant regulatory body to make sure there are no disciplinary actions against the land surveyor in question. If you cannot find this information online, call and ask directly if there have been any complaints against them or disciplinary actions taken against them in recent years.
Finally, it’s important to investigate whether your chosen land surveyor has ever had any disciplinary action taken against their firm by contacting each state’s licensing board again and asking about any complaints filed against firms associated with them during their time as partners or employees at those firms.
Is the business licensed?
Before you choose a land surveyor, check the license of the business. You can do this by contacting your state board of professional engineers and land surveyors. If you live in a state where land surveying is regulated by a separate entity, ask them if they have any licensing requirements for landscape architects.
Also, check with the local business bureau and the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against them or if they have been sued recently by clients who were not satisfied with their services. You may also want to talk with people in your community who are familiar with local businesses; that way, they can give you more information about whether or not this surveyor has an established reputation in town.
Are they licensed as a land surveyor?
Before you sign a contract with a land surveyor, make sure they have the proper license. All states require that land surveyors be licensed. The licensing requirement ensures that the surveyor has met certain standards and has passed an exam on their knowledge of surveying. A license is also an indication of a person’s experience level; for example, a professional who has been in practice for many years may have earned more than one type of license.
Checking the status of your potential surveyor’s license is easy: just ask them. If they are unwilling to share this information with you or do not know what it is, reconsider hiring them as your contractor.
Do they have references?
Once you’ve found a candidate to survey your land, it’s important to verify his or her credentials. Ask for references from former clients and call those people to ask about their experiences with the land surveyor in question. If the reference is willing to talk with you, that means he or she has had a positive experience working with that company or individual—a good sign.
Conclusion
While a right land surveyor is an important professional to have on your team, you don’t want to hire just anyone. Make sure that the person you choose has experience in performing the work that you need, and verify their credentials before signing anything. As with any other profession, there are many different types of land surveyors out there, so do some research and make sure that the one you choose fits your needs.
