We have a process here that's very similar to the 'mosaic' process that someone else posted about. We call this process 'comps'.
We often work with large numbers of individual parcels along a specified route. Each individual source document that gets plotted in CAD is turned into a block that's named with the source info (typically the recording information) so we can track where the linework/notes came from; if you turn it into a block before you rotate anything, you can rotate the whole block without screwing with the original bearing system. Meaning, the original bearing system is retained within the block - so if you need to go back to that information for any reason it's all still there within the block and you can use the block editor to 'see' the original version. Any rotation you need to do to adjust along the route is done to the blocks as a whole. Each block has different colored linework to make differentiation easier during those early stages. All the initial comps work lives on a layer we call Survey Comps; we don't create a separate layer for each source document - the naming of the blocks accomplishes this identification for us without having to create so many layers. Once the final resolutions are complete, we have one layer for all resolved property lines that are essentially copied from the comps blocks.
As I do the compiles part of the research process organizing all plats and deeds of subject parcel(s) keep all that organized. A way is to take the index sheet from some GIS and number or name them and organize the chains of titles so you know which goes with which. Next I owe this to @gary_g is you can do this by hand or in cad or power point excel. But I try and keep a flow chart for each deed book page the plats etc showing chain of title exceptions ROW takes etc. it forces you to read and check dates and by the time you get field work done and start actually resolving the boundaries and you find something questionable sr rights etc or even a different monument located vs what was called for as here lots of surveys are never recorded. This can aid in the resolution process. Remember all the math and piecing together all the properties is an exercise. The math is just guidance to get you to the corner. I keep an article a wise old surveyor gave me about a court case here that was published in American surveyor magazine many years ago. Priority of calls not the math aka bearings and distance. Also remember a lot is common sense as well. Try and honor those surveyors that came before you try and figure out why and what they were doing before thinking you are right and they are wrong. I had one that was throwing us all for a loop. Finally the right information was held and we could see exactly why the surveyor did what he did and others honored it. Something that’s been accepted for 40 years sometimes reinventing the wheel is not in the best interest of any party. Have fun putting the puzzles together it’s a fun exercise for sure. Oh I don’t always use Carlson when I use TBC I make selection sets out of each parcel and it works very well when moving a compile with info like what’s at the corners and owner info etc. even notes. Works like groups in Carlson cad sorta. Either write or use text as you start making your decisions because nothing worse than coming back to that drawing and not remembering your last decision. For me that could be over night and I am like what was I thinking lol.
I'm loving all the discussion. Definitely picked up some things I can use! Thanks, all!
I have my crews topo roads, fences, tree lines, hedges, anything near the boundary that indicates occupation, etc
Good idea.
I survey in Florida, which is not a recording state. Our senior office surveyor showed me the permitting section of our county’s property appraiser’s website. In some instances a property survey is recorded along with the permits. Another tool for my toolbox.
I don't understand the purpose of not recording a survey map. How is that protecting the public welfare? How can one complain about "pin cushions" if there is no apparent reason or record of how the found object came to be?
In Massachusetts recording is only necessary when new lines are created, as in a subdivision. However, a surveyor may record a map of a survey by placing a note that the survey represents existing lines, and the register will accept it. That is what I do, and nearly all of my survey maps are recorded.
Recording a survey map helps the client in protecting the land they own. Recording a survey map helps other surveyors who may find the evidence left there, and puts them on notice that a survey was done. i find no disadvantage other than the cost, that in my cases only amounts to a little over one hundred dollars.
I rarely have to convince my clients that their survey map should be recorded.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
I don't understand the purpose of not recording a survey map.
I agree, as long as the recording fee remains nominal and the standards/reviewing remains sensible. Here in Oregon the recording fees approach $500 and the County Surveyor has the power of review and demanding edits they feel are necessary. Not the actual solution, but drafting issues. This can add a couple thousand dollars to the cost of even a simple lot job. The result is that landowners choke on the price, and simply get on without a survey at all if they possibly can. Which frequently is to their detriment. IMO, it's a case of the perfect being the enemy of the good.
The surveys that do get recorded are universally very good and thorough. But I think that having more of them done, even if to a slightly relaxed mapping standard, would do the public more good. Washington State, where I am also licensed, records without detailed revue and they just don't have any special problem because of it.
@field-dog that's always been a standard, anything relative to boundary and basic planimetric data.
Fences, yes, but tree lines and hedges? I had to look up planimetric data. I've read about planimeters but never used one. I know in certain instances a tree line is used as a natural fence. People do maintain some pretty tall hedges along property lines. You are correct concerning standard practices indicating occupation.
Yea, especially if it's close to or someone might think it's a boundary indicator. Did an in town lot survey two lots and there was a hedge that ran down what everyone thought was the property line. We actually found corners and it was a straight line but not along the hedge. Here is an old and new Image for reference.
Every job is different as you well know, so it all depends!
This recent video from Landon Blake at Redefined Horizons goes in to his process, which has as much to do with the integration with their mapping system as it does with the research. You might skip the first 20 minutes if you want to get past the WHY and get to the HOW.
Here is an old and new Image for reference.
I know GIS boundaries are usually off horizontally but I don't think they're very often skewed from cardinal. In this new image was the new wall built slightly skewed to the boundary?
I don't understand the purpose of not recording a survey map. How is that protecting the public welfare? How can one complain about "pin cushions" if there is no apparent reason or record of how the found object came to be?
In Massachusetts recording is only necessary when new lines are created, as in a subdivision. However, a surveyor may record a map of a survey by placing a note that the survey represents existing lines, and the register will accept it. That is what I do, and nearly all of my survey maps are recorded.
Recording a survey map helps the client in protecting the land they own. Recording a survey map helps other surveyors who may find the evidence left there, and puts them on notice that a survey was done. i find no disadvantage other than the cost, that in my cases only amounts to a little over one hundred dollars.
I rarely have to convince my clients that their survey map should be recorded.
I don’t disagree with you on not recording. I was quite lucky as a consumer of a Land Survey when I bought our land and house about 15 years ago. The surveyor that did the boundary line adjustment told us that it was the clients so my responsibility to record the plat. I am not a LS yet however every client that I have dealt with in any boundary survey boundary line adjustment etc I always tell them to take their plat and have it recorded it was their responsibility. When we bought ours I was not surveying at the time I was still doing GPS stuff for the govt. I reckon each state has their own way of doing these things. From what I understand is some surveyors never mention to the client that they should do this here.