Related Construction & Real Estate Calculators

What is a Land Survey and Why Do I Need One?

A **land survey** is the process of precisely measuring and mapping a piece of land. A licensed surveyor uses specialized equipment (like GPS and total stations) to determine property boundaries, elevations, and the location of features like buildings, fences, and utilities.

You typically need a survey when:

• Buying or selling property, to confirm boundary lines.
• Building a new home, fence, or addition.
• Resolving a boundary dispute with a neighbor.
• Subdividing a large parcel of land.

Main Factors Affecting Survey Cost

• Property Size: Larger parcels naturally take more time and cost more to survey.
• Terrain Complexity: A flat, clear field is much easier and cheaper to survey than a hilly, heavily wooded, or swampy area.
• Record Availability: If the property has a recent, well-documented survey on file, the cost will be lower than for a parcel that hasn't been surveyed in decades.
• Type of Survey: A simple boundary stakeout is less expensive than a highly detailed topographic survey required for architectural design.

How to Use the Land Survey Cost Estimator

1. Enter Property Size: Input the total acreage of your land. This is the primary factor for the base cost.
2. Select Property Characteristics: Choose options that best describe your land. Heavily wooded or hilly terrain requires more work and increases the cost.
3. Select Survey Type: Choose the type of survey you need. A simple boundary survey is the most common, while a topographic survey for construction is more complex and expensive.
4. Calculate: Get a rough estimate of the potential survey cost. Remember this is a ballpark figure.