Location Drawing vs. Boundary Survey: What’s the Difference?

There are plenty of reasons why a property owner might order a land survey. Maybe you’re buying a new house or piece of land. Perhaps you intend to build a new structure on a parcel you already own. Regardless of the reason, before you make any major moves on a piece of property, you’ll likely want a professional to perform a survey. What you may not realize is that not all boundary surveys are created equal. You’ll have to ask for the right type of survey to ensure your needs are met. Before you can do that, however, you’ll need to know what to ask for.

So, do you need a traditional boundary survey or a location drawing in Guadalupe County, TX? We’ve got the answer.

What is a boundary survey?

Easily the most common type of survey performed on a property is a traditional boundary survey. During this process, a licensed land surveyor will assess your property and consult the local records to pinpoint its exact legal boundaries. It will also identify the location of any utilities on your property and will notify you of any easements connected to your property.

A boundary survey is a great way to cover yourself against any liability when you’re building or buying a piece of property. At the very least, it will help keep you in good standing with your neighbors.

What is a location drawing?

Where a boundary survey sees a team of land surveyors head out into the field, a location drawing has them head into the office. A location drawing will identify your property lines and illustrate the location of any improvements made to the land. Just as with a boundary survey in Guadalupe County, TX, a location drawing will let you know of any easements or legal entanglements related to the property.

How to tell the difference

A location drawing and a boundary survey may seem similar, but there are some important distinctions to be made between them:

• Accuracy: Because a location drawing is done entirely in the office, and a boundary survey occurs on-site, the boundary survey has a higher accuracy rating. In fact, location drawings are accurate to within a foot, while boundary surveys are accurate to within an eighth of an inch.
• Cost: Clients will pay extra for the added accuracy of a boundary survey. Location drawings average about $250. On the other hand, boundary surveys can run the gamut between $750 and $2,000, depending on your location and property.
• Physical location: Once again, because a location drawing is developed in the office, clients don’t get physical flags marking the corners of their land.

There are other differences, but a qualified land surveyor can fill in the gaps.

Reliable professionals

If you need boundary surveying services in Guadalupe County, TX, come to Bettersworth & Associates, Inc. We have more than half a century of experience offering a wide array of land surveying and planning services. All it takes is one call to get the ball rolling. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Categorised in: Boundary Survey