Surveying

 

What is a boundary?

The legal boundary is simply a line on a plan or a description of the area which divides one property from another. The physical boundary is any structure or barrier which separates one property from another such as a fence, wall, or hedge.

 

How are boundaries created?

Boundaries can be created when subdividing land, two-property owners agree on a common boundary. Boundaries divide the land and establish ownership.

 

What is a Land Survey?

A land survey is performed in order to locate, describe and map the boundaries and corners of a parcel of land.

 

What kind of survey do I need?

The kind of survey you need depends on what you are doing on your property. See our services for ideas on how to use our surveys for your project. The easiest answer to this question is to speak to a professional land surveyor by giving us a call at (719) 318-0377.

 

Why do I need a survey?

Here are a few reasons why you may need a survey:

• If you are building a fence, building, or other structure

• When buying or selling land

• When the description of your property is not clear

• When the location of your property corners is unclear

• To subdivide land

• When purchasing title insurance

• To settle a boundary dispute between neighbors

• To determine if there are any encroachments

 

When should a survey be performed?

Here are some instances when a survey should be performed…

• For improvements to a parcel of land.

• To know the location of monuments and the boundary.

• To help settle a potential dispute between neighbors.

• To determine if existing improvements are on your parcel.

• To verify the improvements on your parcel conform to regulations.

 

Who can perform a land survey?

Only a registered professional land surveyor can legally perform a land survey.

 

What is a professional land surveyor?

Per Colorado Revised statutes, a “Professional Land Surveyor” is an individual who practices professional land surveying and is registered with the board after demonstrating competency to practice. Similar to an Architect and Engineer, A series of licensing examinations and years of experience and mentorship is the pathway to licensure.

 

What is an ALTA survey?

An ALTA (American Land Title Association) survey is a boundary survey prepared to a set of minimum standards that have been jointly prepared and adopted by the ALTA/NSPS (National Society of Surveying and Mapping). Additionally, an ALTA survey shows improvements, easements, rights-of-way, and other elements impacting the ownership of land. An ALTA Survey is often prepared for commercial properties, as it will provide the title company with the information required to insure the title to the land and improvements to the high degree that a commercial development may require. In addition to the minimum standards set forth, there is a negotiable table of optional elements that are included in the ALTA/NSPS standards. A careful review of the elements from the optional "Table A" is helpful in delineating a clear scope of the land surveyor's services.

A current title commitment is required before an ALTA Survey can be completed. The surveyor will refer to the title commitment for the legal description of the property and for the legal description of any encumbrances (exceptions). Areas of ownership, improvements, and encumbrances will be shown graphically. If the survey discovers any encroachments, they should be shown graphically, and a note indicating the nature of the encroachment may also be added.

The certification language of the ALTA Survey should include the names of the affected parties, typically including as appropriate the buyer, seller, title company, and lender. The surveyor must work in close association with the title insurance company, as the surveyor and the title company are relying on each other's work to show the matters affecting the ownership of the land and improvements in a comprehensive manner.

More about the ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey

 

Can I find my own property lines?

Legally, only a professional land surveyor can establish a property line. If you are doing any type of construction, it is safer for you to get a boundary survey than run the risk of encroaching onto your neighbor's property.

 

Has my property already been surveyed?

Not necessarily. Land may be mapped for tax purposes, but not all properties have been surveyed. You can give us a call to find out if your property has been surveyed.

 

How will my property corners be marked?

We will mark your property corners with either rebar with plastic caps, aluminum caps, aluminum disks or brass tags, depending on the type of ground in which the corner is to be placed. These monuments will be stamped with the licensing number of the surveyor certifying the survey. Depending on the type of monument they may also contain the stamping "APEX".

 

I found my corners. I don't need a survey, or do I?

All too frequently, multiple corners will be found within feet of each other, all supposing to be the same corner. A professional land surveyor will need to weigh the evidence based on his education, experience, and land laws to determine the correct corner of your property.

 

Why do I need a survey if I'm building a fence or addition on my property?

Since a fence is a relatively permanent structure, you will want to be sure of the location of your property lines before construction. Although some public agencies will issue a building permit (if required) upon presentation of an Improvement Location Certificate, it should not be relied upon for the establishment of any permanent structure. The prudent course of action is to locate existing property corners that delineate your property line and have the validity of the monuments verified by a surveyor. If you are not able to find your property corners, ask for the assistance of a professional land surveyor. We may be able to find monuments using a magnetic locator and cloth tape. If the surveyor is not able to locate existing monuments, you may need to have a boundary survey performed.

Along with the information required to build a fence, the location of any existing structures may be helpful. This information would be provided on an Improvement Survey Plat (ISP). If new improvements are significant, the preparation of a topographic map may help to determine a finished floor elevation that will allow for both drainage and a pleasing appearance. After the preparation of construction plans, a surveyor can stake the proposed building corners to ensure that the information is transferred accurately to the ground and to ultimate construction.

 

Don't I own all the land to the back of the curb of the street?

Usually, no. A public road or street lies within what is known as a "right-of-way." This area is typically wider than the street itself.

 

What is an easement and what is it doing on my property?

An easement is an area of land owned by the property owner, but in which other parties, such as utility companies, may have limited rights granted for a specific purpose. If a utility company owns the rights, they may have a utility line running below the ground, across your property.

 

Aren't all surveys basically the same?

No. Every survey is unique. The land survey process begins with researching documents (i.e. deeds, plats, title commitment, previous surveys, etc.) as each property has its own history.

 

Why can't the county surveyor survey my property?

County surveyors in most cases do not survey private property. Landowners are referred to private land surveyors for their services.

 

Why is my new survey different from an older survey?

Discrepancies between surveys are usually attributable to two reasons. The first reason is that measurement, by its nature, is subject to error. A person can count one hundred beans and get the same number as someone else counting one hundred beans. However, if two people each measure a cup of beans, it is likely that they will have different numbers of beans. Two surveyors measuring the same line may obtain different values. Both of the values should be similar, but they will only approach the true theoretical value through repetition and statistical analysis. The second reason is that measurements are made from, and decisions are based on, found evidence. Surveys performed at different times may not have the same evidence available. The more recent survey may have the benefit of monuments set after the prior survey, and previously existing monuments used for the prior survey may have been obliterated. As the available evidence changes, the findings of the surveyor will also change.

 

My fence is not my boundary?

In some cases, it can be. In other cases, a fence is just a fence.  The boundary may fall inside or outside of a fence line.

 

What is an encroachment?

Encroachments are improvements, such as fences or buildings, which extend across the property line.

 

What is a plat?

A legal document intended to take a large parcel of land and divide it into smaller parcels of land. A subdivision plat may also create public rights-of-way or easements, and is usually filed with the county clerk & recorder's office.

 

What's the difference between a condo and a townhome?

In most cases, the owner of a condo only owns the interior of the unit itself. The exterior, the land below the property, the air space above the property, the front and back yards (if any), and other areas in the development, are all commonly owned by the other owners in the development. In contrast, the owner of a townhome, typically owns the interior and exterior of the home, the land above, below, and in front and back of the home.

 

On an old survey, I have one elevation and my new survey has a different elevation at the same point. Why?

There are different coordinate systems. The surveyor will need to calculate the conversion factor to be able to adjust the elevations.

 

How much will a survey cost?

The surveyor's cost estimate will be based on the anticipated difficulty and estimated time needed to complete the project. Fees can be estimated, but the surveyor cannot predict the amount of work required to recover the necessary evidence. The amount of time required to obtain field measurements and make boundary determinations depends on the availability and proximity of the discovered evidence. The surveyor will be able to provide you with a cost estimate based upon an hourly rate, experience with similar jobs, and a general knowledge of the area, but actual costs may not be known until the project is completed.

 

What can I do to reduce the cost of my survey?

Any documents you may have regarding the ownership of your land can be very helpful in the preparation of your survey. This would include a title insurance policy or commitment, a previous survey of any type, or any other relevant documents you may have. If you are aware of any property corner monuments near the survey, let the surveyor know of their existence and, if possible, make the monuments apparent by placing something more visible around them, such as a piece of cloth or plastic flagging.

 

Is it against the law to remove a property corner?

Yes. Any person who knowingly removes alters or defaces any public land survey monument and/or boundary monument or accessory, commits a class two misdemeanor pursuant to state statute 18-4-508, Colorado Revised Statutes.

 

What is the time frame for the land survey process?

Essentially the land survey process involves establishing the type of survey the customer needs, researching documents (i.e. deeds, plats, title commitment, etc.), field collection for boundary, improvements, topography, and a variety of other features, data processing, and drafting the final map, and distribution. The land survey process can be completed in one week or take years. Depending on the type of survey ordered, season ordered (summer is busiest), availability of past surveys and legal documentation, as well as the size and location of the site (e.g. new subdivision vs. mining claim) are just some of the variables affecting both the price and time frame in which a survey can be completed. Depending on our workload, Apex Land Surveying and Mapping LLC have a 3-week turnaround for Improvement Location Certificates, Plot Plans, and House or building stakeout. ALTA's, Land Survey Plats, Improvement Survey Plats, Topographical Exhibits, Easement Exhibits can take anywhere from three weeks to several months to turnaround.  Call us with your project and we can give you a free quote.

 

What will I get when I order a survey?

With most surveys, you will receive a graphic representation of your property. Depending on the type of survey you receive, will depend on what details are shown. Take a look at the different types of surveys here.