Ring Ring (I only need a line staked)
We get a variation on this all the time, and generally a short conversation occurs, and the prospective client understands…but sometimes…
Called, asked for an estimate, general estimate developed, sent out (let us know if you want us to draw up an agreement).
Then emailed back with a lengthy email about how simple it was, how he just needed a line staked between two existing “landmarks”. (How could that cost more than $500?)
So, I developed a standard response for just this situation…curious about feedback:
Thank you for giving us more information about your project and situation. Our profession does have certain restrictions and mandates that we must follow, mostly described in the RCW and WAC. Please see the following Q&A:
- Question:
- Can you just stake between two corners I show you?
- Why does it cost so much to stake between two points?
- Answer:
- No, not according to the law governing surveyors in Washington state.
- Depending on existing occupation, and the results of our survey, the field work may result in a requirement a survey map to be recorded with the county.
- See highlighted and bold (by me for ephasis) in the WAC below.
- The key section is (3). The requirement is for the surveyor to determine the accuracy and validity of the landmarks/monuments/etc to be used to stake the line.
- These are common questions that we and other surveyors encounter.
- This section has been interpreted differently by different surveyors, and so??
- The DNR has prepared guidance for surveyors and their clients, and it is attached to this email as a pdf.
WAC 196-29-110 Land surveying practice standards.
Failure by any registrant to comply with the provisions of the Survey Recording Act, chapter 58.09 RCW and
the survey standards, chapter 332-130 WAC shall be considered misconduct or malpractice as defined by RCW
18.43.105(10).
The following standards shall also apply:
(1) The monumentation, posting, and/or the marking of a
boundary line between two existing corner monuments constitutes the “practice of land surveying” as defined in chapter
18.43 RCW and chapter 196-16 WAC, and consequently
requires said work to be performed under the direct supervision of a registered professional land surveyor.
(2) The field survey work performed to accomplish the
monumentation, posting, and marking of a boundary line
between two existing corner monuments shall meet the minimum standards imposed by chapter 332-130 WAC.
(3) The monumentation, posting, and/or marking of a
boundary line between two existing corner monuments
involves a determination of the accuracy and validity of the
existing monuments by the use of standard survey methods
and professional judgment.
(4) The monumentation, posting, and marking of a
boundary line between two existing corner monuments shall
require the filing of a record of survey according to chapter
58.09 RCW unless both corners satisfy one or both of the following requirements:
(a) The corner(s) are shown as being established on a
properly recorded or filed survey according to chapter 58.09
RCW and are accurately and correctly shown thereon.
(b) The corner(s) are described correctly, accurately, and
properly on a land corner record according to chapter 58.09
RCW if their establishment was by a method not requiring
the filing of a record of survey
- Question:
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