How well do you know the legal description of your property? Professional land surveying seeks to answer this question for several reasons, usually with a legal element. A professional land surveyor uses different techniques and tools to establish the extent of your property and the features on it. In most cases, land surveying is used to settle property disputes, but this exercise is also useful for other reasons. Here are some instances when you need to survey your property:

Establish Property Lines

The primary role of a land surveying exercise is to establish property boundary lines as established on the legal map held by the authorities. Knowing your property lines is crucial to avoid running into legal problems.

For example, your fence could stray into a neighboring property. If your neighbor establishes that you have been profiting from their property, they could sue you for a share. Land surveying becomes useful when laying a rightful claim to your property and using it.

Settle Property Disputes

You need a professional land surveyor when there is a property dispute, especially for prime land. In most cases, property disputes are between neighbors, but you could also have a property dispute with the authorities if they want to use your land without adequate compensation.

Property disputes arise from gaps, overlaps, and gores in the property boundaries. Land surveying is crucial in settling claims by either party.

Establishing Public Utility Spaces

It is prudent to establish the extent of a public claim on your property if you suspect it. For example, if your property borders a highway, you should establish the extent of the road reserve for public utilities like power lines and road expansion.

Land surveying helps avoid surprises when authorities claim this space for the public good. A land survey is also useful in locating existing public utilities on your property, including underground cables, drains, manhole covers, and catchment basins.

Planning New Development

Some types of property development are subject to zoning laws, restricting the extent of work you can do on the property. For example, you cannot expand your parking lot without first establishing property lines.

Land surveying becomes useful when establishing the legality of changes to your current property description, including:

• Height, bulk, and the dimension of existing structures
• Building lines
• Property frontage and setbacks
• Parking lot size

Are you unsure of the extent of your property's size and description? Contact a professional land surveyor for proper mapping of your property.