GIS Red Flag

May I suggest storing a pontoon boat as an alternative to that deck. 

Get It Surveyed

I tell them that if they need a survey I'm their Huckleberry. The survey will show the existing legal boundaries and any apparent encroachments. And right now it looks like those encroachments will open a big can of worms.  They are unlikely to get a permit to build a deck until those issues are resolved.  

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  That's all I can see from that view.

Contractor- But they just want to build a deck!?!

Sometimes getting a survey is like going to the doctor and getting an MRI...there is a reason they only do these things when it is actually needed.

Contractor- But they just want to build a deck!?!

Sometimes getting a survey is like going to the doctor and getting an MRI...there is a reason they only do these things when it is actually needed.

Of course some contractor cheaping out on a survey is why that area looks that way in the first place...

They just want to build a house.

They just want to build a driveway.

They just want to build a fence.

(and if they hire a surveyor, that eats into the budget for the important person in this story...the contractor)

The Building Departments in Mass. always want a survey plan showing offset distances to the lot lines for zoning compliance - even for decks. It has nothing to do with the lines in the town GIS. Any contractor who does not know this is probably not properly licensed by the state. I tell them if they are unhappy about the requirements they can complain to their elected officials. In the meantime, I can provide the survey and plan they need to get their permit - for a reasonable fee, of course.

Depends what I already know about the area. 

I don't look at the GIS for much more than addressing, flood areas and zoning. 

But, if I don't know much about the subdivision and I clicked on that, I would offer a big estimate for a real boundary. 

If I know a colleague that has done a lot of work there, I send them to that surveyor (old Joe's been working there for years). I call and warn old Joe before the "client" contacts them. 

You have to be selective when you're busy. 

You don't have to take every job and when they start complaining, that's a huge red flag. 

Contractor- But they just want to build a deck!?!

Me: You can attempt to build the deck without a permit, then you wouldn’t need the Survey the City is requiring.

The Building Departments in Mass. always want a survey plan showing offset distances to the lot lines for zoning compliance - even for decks.

In Bellevue, WA, the requirement is for a Boundary and Topographic Survey. Tied to city control, including +25 feet all around, plus road frontage (full road improvements for full width, including 100' in each direction from property line), utilities shown, 2' contours, all improvements, etc, etc, etc.

@dmyhill 

Don’t forget that when it does come to when they are ready to build the deck, Bellevue requires a surveyor to stake it and provide a stamped letter stating that you staked it per the plans and meets the setback requirements.

@dmyhill 

And then the client wants to know why your survey costs so much...

At least the GIS streets line up with the orthophoto streets.  Around here one GIS street line or the other usually runs at or near the center of the orthophoto street, shoving parcel boundaries hither & yon.......

I'd tell them I need to research the land records before I can give them a fee.

From the geometry of the improvements and "encroachments" I'd guess that there has been some sort of lot line adjustment out there (by whatever mechanism they use in that municipality) and it hasn't been reflected in the GIS

One could hope a change was recorded. Otherwise, recheck the state's acquiescence rules.

Checking deeds is essential.  The history of the deeds, not just the most recently recorded.

Thirty years ago we encountered a situation where a ten foot strip had been sold to two parties on the same day and recorded the same day.  I forget the exact numbers now, but, let's say it was five lots that were much longer north and south than east and west with the north and south distance being 120 feet.  The prior owner sold the north 80 feet of all five lots to one party and the south 50 feet of all five lots to another party.  The date of that sale was over 40 years prior to when I was called in.  80+50=130 not 120

Thank you, everyone, for all the great responses; unfortunately, this happens way to often, in my neck of the woods.

I've come to the conclusion that either; back in the day, they didn't care; or, they bullied their way into doing what they want, because the person doing the permitting was the mayors brother in-law and didn't know what he was doing.

I've seen a lot of crazy scenarios; then when I present the problem to the client; I get a deer in the headlights look and they blame me! And their jaw drops when I tell them how much more they will need to spend.

Attorney's love these scenario's! Their eyes light up with dollar signs when clients come to them!

I don't remember things being this bad when I worked in Nebraska; how are things in your area?

Thanks again

Dougie

Contractor- But they just want to build a deck!?!

Sometimes getting a survey is like going to the doctor and getting an MRI...there is a reason they only do these things when it is actually needed.

Of course some contractor cheaping out on a survey is why that area looks that way in the first place...

They just want to build a house.

They just want to build a driveway.

They just want to build a fence.

(and if they hire a surveyor, that eats into the budget for the important person in this story...the contractor)

 

it's ok..

a survey only costs 3-500 dollars per the Internet....