Buying a new home or piece of property is exciting. However, a lot of responsibilities come with this endeavor. For example, you may want to have the land surveyed first.
And, while getting a land survey might not seem like a big deal, you want to make sure you have it done the right way, which means hiring the right person. Fortunately, you can choose a great land surveyor and have everything go smoothly if you just follow a few basic tips.
Ensure You Get a Licensed Land Surveyor
Land surveyors have to be licensed to practice in the state in which they live. The findings of anyone who is not licensed would not be legitimate.
The good news is that it is illegal for people to practice land surveying without a license. This makes it less likely that someone would masquerade as a legitimate land surveyor without being one. To stay on the safe side, though, ask to see a surveyor's license before hiring them, or contact your state licensing board to check on the status of the person's license.
Look for Someone With Liability Insurance
Many land surveyors will advertise that they are licensed and bonded. However, what that means can really vary from one land surveyor to the next.
The type of insurance you really need a land surveyor to have is liability insurance. This insurance will protect you if the land surveyor makes some kind of error or mistake, especially if it is one that causes you problems in the future.
Ask the surveyor if they have this type of insurance and what it’s amount of covereage. If so, ask about how you'll be protected as a result. If not, then you may want to look into other options.
Get a Recommendation From Your Title Company
If you're having trouble choosing a land surveyor or if you can't pick between a few different options, get some expert advice.
Surprisingly, one great source of information is your title company. These companies typically work with many land surveyors.
As such, they should have plenty of information about who is a good surveyor, who charges the best prices, and who is the most accurate. Don't be afraid to call up your title company to ask questions and to get a recommendation for the best land surveyor around.
Look for Someone Who's a Lifelong Learner
Land surveying is a field that changes along with the times. New technologies, laws, and techniques often enter into the practice.
A good land surveyor will stay abreast of changes in the field and will regularly pursue continuing education related to it. Hiring a surveyor that makes an effort to continue their education will ensure that you get the most modern and accurate land-surveying services possible.
Remember, you are hiring this person to do a service, so don't be afraid to ask if and how the surveyor is continuing their education and staying on top of land-surveying trends.
Remember That Experience Counts for a Lot
Finally, make sure that you choose a land surveyor who has a lot of experience in the field. Typically, the more experience the land surveyor has, the better they will be at the job. Plus, more experience often equates to being less likely to make a mistake.
Ideally, try to find someone who has been in business for several years. This will give you great peace of mind and a better chance of a positive outcome.
If you can think about these things and do your research, you should be able to hire an excellent land surveyor. If you need help choosing someone or just want more information on land surveying, contact the experts at Community Sciences Corporation, they’ve been land surveying since 1974.
