Whether you’re buying or building a house or creating a commercial development, you probably know you’ll need some type of land survey during the process. You also probably know that there are different types of land surveys for home, construction and building projects. What you may not know, however, is that although there are different uses for each survey, you may need to use more than one.
Two of the most commonly performed surveys are boundary surveys and topographical surveys. Read on to see if you might need to hire a land surveyor in Idaho to perform one or both types of survey for your next construction project.
When You Need a Boundary Survey
Boundary surveys are most commonly used in settling legal conflicts related to new home additions or landscaping projects like a new retaining wall. They can also be used when buying or selling property to map out the exact location of the property line. Boundary surveys are the most important type of land survey when dealing with property lines and how properties relate to one another legally.
Common reasons you might need to get a boundary survey include:
- Easements: If you, your neighbor or the local government has an easement on a piece of property, a land surveyor can use a boundary survey to determine the exact location of the easement. For example, you might have an easement for the utility company to come work on a power pole that is 25 feet onto your property. A boundary survey would determine where the easement allows the company to go.
- Home improvement projects: If you are planning a home improvement project or addition that will come close to the property line, you may need a boundary survey to help make sure you don’t encroach onto your neighbor’s property. To install a fence around the perimeter of the property, for example, you will likely want a land surveyor to complete a boundary survey so you don’t accidentally build it on the neighboring land.
When You Need a Topographic Survey
The downside to a boundary survey is that it does not include topographical data of the piece of property. In a state like Idaho, where land features like lava rock or buttes can change the elevation of a property, it’s important to know where these geological features lay on a piece of land. Topographical surveys also include any existing structures, such as buildings, on a property. Hiring a land surveyor for a topographical survey can help you plan a home, road or other construction project:
- Building projects: Topographical surveys from a professional land surveyor will help you better plan your building’s layout in relation to the land. If you know where the land dips or rises, and how much, you can better place your building to reduce the need for excavation work.
- Drainage issues: A topographical survey will show the swells and valleys of your property. If you have a drainage issue, such as a section of the property not draining properly, your land surveyor can use a topographical survey to determine if there are dips or rises that are causing issues.
If you need a land surveyor in Idaho, reach out to the professionals at Mason & Associates today.