@murphy I disagree with some of the what you say here. A client pursuing the purchase of a home hires me to identify any existing encroachments from the neighboring properties or by the current property owner onto the neighboring properties. My surveys also document any existing improvements to the property. This works for the lender as well to make sure the borrower is getting what they are paying for in the event they default on the loan and the lender becomes the owner. That seems like a legitimate need to me.?ÿ
I recently surveyed a lot where the adjoiner??s fence, shed, and a portion of his pool deck where encroaching on my client??s perspective property. The encroaching owner had purchased his lot without a survey. His fence on the other side was built 20-feet inside of his property line. Maybe he paid cash or maybe his lender didn??t require a survey. But it surely would have been well worth the investment.
@jitterboogie a ??lot survey? in NC must meet the Standards of Practice for Land Surveying like any other survey here. Which includes certifying on the face of the map that it was drawn from an actual survey, a statement of precision, references, GNSS info (if used on any part of the survey), North Arrow reference, the dreaded Vicinity Map, adjoining owners, scale, etc., etc. Anything less and the surveyor is subject to fines and penalties from NCBELS. ?ÿI know you are studying to become a PLS. So if you are considering NC - At the link below you can read Title 21, Chapter 56 starting at .1601. Then you can read GS 47-30 ??Mapping Requirements for Recordable Maps??ÿ
https://www.ncbels.org/general-info/rules-laws/
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The other day I was locating some facilities for new residential construction for the rural electric co-op.?ÿ The property owner just happened to be there at the construction site.?ÿ ?ÿIn conversation he inquired about a survey...kind of.?ÿ He jokingly asked if the electric company was going to survey his lot (2.5 ac. mol).?ÿ I told him nice try, but no.?ÿ He then asked seriously how much a survey would cost.?ÿ Since it was a platted area with which I was familiar I told him somewhere in the 1500 buck range.?ÿ He laughed and asked if I was serious.?ÿ I told him I was serious as a kidney stone.?ÿ He couldn't believe it would be so much.?ÿ I briefly explained the benefits of knowing exactly where his boundary lays and the legal pitfalls that can manifest if he didn't..I also suggested that anyone buying property should have it surveyed prior to a purchase and ask the seller to pay for it.
I then looked at his deed info and made a quick estimate of the cost of his land from the tax stamps.?ÿ I mentioned to him it looks like he paid around 75K for his lot...but yet apparently had no idea where it was actually located.?ÿ I asked him if he was sure the slab was even on the correct lot.
Before I left he wanted my contact info.
I once met a surveyor in Pennsylvania, who had a business card "Its 10 pm, do you know where your corners are?"
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@murphy?ÿ
Good to know.?ÿ I was just repeating what she said, and had no idea whether true or not.
Funny how I've gotten more?ÿ than a few people tell me similar about surveys in VA, NC, NJ, etc, that are so much cheaper than here.?ÿ
I pretty much assume that they're misinformed, exaggerating, or just throwing a number out there to see if I'll match it.?ÿ Sure
@aliquot?ÿ
I actually think it's a good indication on the value of a survey to a potential client.?ÿ
I know of lots near where I live that are going for $15-20k.?ÿ Ain't no one paying $3500 for a boundary survey on that.
But a $300k property, with a 4 bedroom house, it's probably more worth it to them.
And the survey would be the same cost.
@bushaxe?ÿ
Thank you!
We used to do things in Colorado called and I LLC or improvement location certificate.
They can only be performed legally buy surveyors and I don't think they had as much detail as you just laid out and you're above comments but boy did we do lots of them and man they made lots of money at it
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Totally agree.?ÿ Somehow we've let others (realtors, lawyers, etc) convince buyers, or perpetuate the idea that knowing where the boundaries of the property a person is about to commit hundreds or thousands of dollars to, isn't really that important.
In some states they're legit and outlined in the statutes.
They're not intended to be a boundary survey or in lieu of a boundary survey.?ÿ In fact, I've seen a Maine one, and it says right on it, something like, "This is not a boundary survey".
They're intended to serve a limited purpose at RE closings, to show the lot, easements, flood zone, and basic improvements on the site.
I don't do them and never have, but they're not a sub-standard boundary survey, since they're not intended for that purpose.
Flame me if you want, but I'm not advocating for them, and have no opinion on them.?ÿ Just pointing out that they're not the just the work of some scab surveyors doing cheap, crappy boundary surveys.?ÿ
@jitterboogie we do need help and it starts locally with you and all of us.?ÿ The national lobby is a small part and to help ensure legislation does and does not pass that impacts our profession.?ÿ What you and realtors charge is up to you although the realtors are on the hot seat for fixed rate commissions.
@hpalmer?ÿ
I'm just a plebe at the moment, second career and still learning.
My position at the bottom makes it easy to be an unsilenced minority, but it doesn't necessarily help.
I'm learning which battle to fight, and unfortunately I have several.
And for the record, realty fees aren't fixed, that's just what they want you to believe in that. Essentially they practice the same colluding methods and no one seems to care enough to file a complaint or suit to slap them into shape.
I paid 4% for a dual sided transaction, and I still paid too much for what the guy did t do. House sold itself.
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@jph?ÿ
That kind of analysis only works sometimes. If what you own is only worth $15,000 the monetary?ÿ return on the investment in a survey?ÿ is smaller, but if the survey is truly required that $15,000 can be worth $0 in practical terms without the survey.?ÿ
@jph?ÿ
My house 1372sqft 2 bed 2.5 bath sold for 315k
Lots adjacent to me sold for 65 and 68k the same year. They were 0.23ac more or less.
They will only get more expensive.
@jitterboogie careful what you wish for, because I can see your path. You'll be one of those guys who hangs out their shingle the moment they are licensed, and all the established companies will be calling you a lowballer for doing those $5000 surveys for $1000 dollars. Painful.
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Nah.
I'm glad to be part of a team, the license is a goal of higher professional expectations to be held to, and to foster. Kind of like pilots.
They self attenuate with poor judgement and corner cutting. Occasionally even great pilots wings get clipped, but not because they are cheating the process or using barely or below their standards.
I hold surveying in high regard, as I do many of the license professions, and also the amazing Japanese basket weaver or knife maker I had the honor of sitting and watching him in his mastery.
Selling out the service you trained so highly for and needed to be vetted by the members of the profession speaks to an individual's character, and Integrity. I had those challenges when I was a wee brat. I learned and moved forward.
Hijack over.
Let's blanket party!
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Some of the tightest clients are the ones who have had their little piece of Heaven handed to them.?ÿ All they see is an expense for something that cost them nothing to obtain.
Another cheapskate is the representative of a non-profit entity who assumes you wish to donate your entire fee to them.?ÿ Any number higher than zero is a tough sell.
Check the client's credit and source of income before going too far.?ÿ Just try to get a piece of their disability check or child support check.
The biggest PITA's are those who live big on their company expense accounts but can't believe you want money from THEIR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT.
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I was doing some field work on a project a few weeks ago where I ended up talking to the guy who would be reimbursing our client for the survey.?ÿ I said something like 'I think part of the reason surveys can cause a bit of sticker shock is because individual landowners end up competing against contractors or government agencies for our services, and those groups can have some pretty big bankrolls...'.?ÿ The point I was trying to make seemed to sink in pretty fast which was nice.
