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THE
PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR
The
Professional Land Surveyor in the State of Texas is a person
authorized by law to practice surveying for compensation, surveying
being defined as determining the boundaries or the topography of
real property, or of delineating routes, spaces, or site in real
property for public or private use by using relevant elements of
law, research, measurement, analysis, computation, mapping and land
description writing. The Professional Land Surveyor is qualified to
practice land
 surveying because he has
been examined and passed by the Texas Board of Land Surveying,
either by experience, education, testing, or a combination of these
requirements.
Historically, since the colonization of North America it has been a
basic desire of Americans to own property, and to know the limits or
boundaries of their land. The Professional Land Surveyor can, by use
of your legal description, and current surveying practices,
determine and mark the boundaries of your property as set out in
your deed. When contacting a surveyor to survey your property it is
very helpful, if not imperative, to have your deed, abstract (a
legal history of your land) or legal description. The Professional
Land Surveyor is qualified to locate any visible natural or
artificial features on your property; survey and prepare legal
descriptions to assist in the sale or conveyance part of your
property to others; survey and mark corners for both boundary fences
and cross fences; determine the area or acreage of your property, or
of any pasture or part of your land; prepare a plat (a map or plan)
and certify to the accuracy of the plat by affixing his signature
and seal of registration. In cases of disagreements over boundaries,
he is qualified to prepare appropriate surveys, and testify as an
expert witness in lawsuits concerning boundaries.
A survey
should be made before purchasing real estate, dividing any parcel of
land and if the location of the boundary is pertinent, prior to the
construction of any structures on property in which you have an
interest. Remember, the use of a competent Registered Professional
Land Surveyor now can cost less in time, worry and money than the
results by a sub-professional, sub-standard or incompetent surveyor
later.
HOW
DO I CHOOSE A SURVEYOR?
Q.
Should I retain a Registered Professional Land Surveyor to do my
survey work?
A.
Yes. Only a Registered Professional Land Surveyor is qualified to
perform survey work involving the position of land boundaries.
Q. Is
it likely that the Registered Professional Land Surveyor I select
will handle my survey competently for a reasonable fee?
A.
Yes. Surveyors, like other professional people, vary in knowledge
and ability. The majority of Registered Professional Land Surveyors
do competent work and charge a fair fee.
Q.
Should I select him on the basis of price?
A. No.
Competence and experience are of the utmost importance. Your
selection should be made on the basis of the surveyor�s reputation
to do reliable and accurate work.
WHAT
WILL A SURVEYOR DO FOR ME?
Q.
Will he tell me what I own?
A. He
will give you his professional opinion of where the records and
facts indicate your property to be.
Q.
Should I explain why I want the survey made?
A.
Yes. Since there is such a wide range of survey needs today, the
surveyor should know the purpose of the survey so he can recommend
the best services to fulfill your needs.
Q.
Will he show me if there are any encroachments on the property?
A.
Yes, if evident.
Q.
Should I have a Registered Professional Land Surveyor stake out my
building?
A. To
avoid infringement on adjoining property, and assure adequate
clearance with regard to city codes, it is advisable to have your
building properly located on the ground by a surveyor.
HOW DO
I AUTHORIZE A SURVEY?
Q.
Must I visit the surveyor�s office?
A.
This is usually not required. You may transmit your instructions by
telephone or by letter. However, most surveyors will require
authorization and sometimes deposits to proceed. You may wish to
visit the surveyor�s office to meet the surveyor in which you have
or will place your confidence.
Q.
What information must I furnish him?
A.
Explain fully the purpose of the survey. Then furnish him with a
correct legal description of the property concerned as he may
request. This description is contained in your Title Insurance
Policy, your deed, and in the abstract of the property involved. Old
surveys frequently help. In cases of building stakeout, a copy of
the plans will be required.
HOW
MUCH WILL A SURVEY COST?
Q. Can
the surveyor tell me in advance what the charges will be?
A. The
charge is dependent upon the survey services required, difficulties
encountered, and other factors that can normally not be anticipated.
The cost is based primarily on the time required to make the field
survey, prepare the necessary maps and descriptions, and make the
required record search. Costs for routine survey work can be
estimated, but the client must realize that conflicts in deeds and
lost or destroyed property corners add to the difficulty of the
services requested and are unpredictible. This is why it is of the
utmost importance that the boundary markers be preserved in their
original position.
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