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Limited ALTA Surveys?

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(@jd_odean)
Posts: 11
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Topic starter
 

Has anyone received a request to perform a "Limited ALTA Survey"?

Appears to be an attempt to avoid setting corners and filing ROS - how do you handle these type of requests?

 
Posted : January 16, 2025 12:25 pm
peter-lothian
(@peter-lothian)
Posts: 1091
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I would say that they can negotiate a limited approach to the NSPS/ALTA Standards, but cannot negotiate out of fulfilling the requirements of your state standards. The NSPS/ALTA Standards are a contractual agreement. State regulations are not - they are mandatory.

 
Posted : January 16, 2025 1:31 pm
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(@wa-id-surveyor)
Posts: 933
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The ALTA standards don't control State mandated requirements.  I can conduct a survey to any standards the client requests but there is no such thing as a limited ALTA survey.  It's an ALTA survey or it isn't.  If it isn't, it's just a survey completed to client standards.

I would just ask them for the standards they are looking for and prepare your fee accordingly.

 
Posted : January 16, 2025 2:01 pm
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Norman_Oklahoma
(@norman-oklahoma)
Posts: 7728
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Posted by: @jd_odean

Has anyone received a request to perform a "Limited ALTA Survey"?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the ALTA standards as a framework for a survey request, and modifiying it as desired. Of course if those modification mean leaving some things out such a survey would not be an ALTA. It should not be labelled with the word ALTA, even with modifiers.

The ALTA standards include Table A, item 1 of which is to reset missing corners. If Table A, Item 1 is not checked it means they don't want corners set. That is OK in Oregon, and may be OK in Washington state under certain circumstances. If you do set corners in either of theses states that triggers the requirement to file a Record of Survey, with quite separate and distinct requirements from the "ALTA" you may prepare. If your state law says you must set corners then you set corners, Item 1 or no Item 1.   Know the law and get paid accordingly, or refuse the assignment.

 
Posted : January 16, 2025 8:24 pm
(@bstrand)
Posts: 2359
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Posted by: @jd_odean

Has anyone received a request to perform a "Limited ALTA Survey"?

Appears to be an attempt to avoid setting corners and filing ROS - how do you handle these type of requests?

Yeah, I could see how that might sound a little bit fishy, but maybe they genuinely don't know what to call the type of survey they want.

As far as how to handle it I think you just talk to them and drill down to what they're really after.

 

 
Posted : January 17, 2025 1:32 pm