[joe-b]

@one-eye 

I think everyone is just trying to help.  You unintentionally raised some red flags in what you said (as you seem to realize.)

We have all dealt with folks who think that “if they only had the equipment they could survey their property themselves.”  I’m not assuming people think this, I’ve been told this multiple times by people.

Since you said you have been doing what you do for 40 years, on multiple properties you own/owned, I’m guessing you are a developer of some kind?  Or, you run a business that requires the purchase of properties, such as farmland, warehouses, or something of the sort?  Just curious.

Now, I don’t know you, I’m just speaking based on my experience.  I’m writing this for anyone interested, and others who may stumble onto this thread.

We don’t set pins solely based on the one deed you hold in your hand.  We need to look at the adjoining properties and past deeds, sometimes going back hundreds of years.  We can look at all kinds of evidence beyond the deeds and record surveys to make our determination.  And even then, the mathematical answers in the records are NOT always the location.  We weigh all of the evidence we have and make a decision based on that evidence.

In other words, if you found two or three pins and calculated the rest of the property based on your deed and those pins, even with all the equipment you couldn’t be sure of where your corner is.  It takes a lot more effort and underlying education (whether self-taught or formal) than that, as you probably know from looking around this forum.  Most of our decision-making is not mathematical or scientific.  We use science and math, but there is no “boundary corner formula” for our decision-making. 

You could be out a foot or two, or ten…

Good luck with your investments

Joe

[Norm]

I am willing to spend up to $1,000.

I use an Emlid M2 receiver multi-constellation dual frequency receiver with a geodetic external antenna on a survey pole using a free Real Time correction network service. The results are repeatable at the 2 cm level when used properly. The system I use is under $1000 new. However, I have 30 years of RTK experience, and it requires configuring two devices (cell phone running free survey app with network connection and M2 receiver to a portable Mifi.) Being experienced allows me to know what to look for to ensure connections are working and corrections are being received and working properly as I go along. But to answer the question you can get into it for $1000. I don’t think I can recommend it as something you can buy off the shelf, turn on and use without some level of support, training and practice. Once again, the system relies on two things. A real time reference station network broadcasting corrections on the internet and cell phone coverage. I probably would not recommend it for daily production but for a few locations here and there it works ok. It will be repeatable at the 1 meter level plus or minus without using corrections. 

 

[One Eye]

@norm 

Thank you very much. 

[One Eye]

Thanks to everyone here and an apology for not thinking before posting and then getting a bit testy at what in hind sight was the obvious reaction. I didn’t stop to think that the average post like mine is from someone who bought their first little parcel in a subdivision and thinks they can save a buck by becoming an instant surveyor with just a small purchase (kind of insulting to the pros) or someone wishing to show their neighbor how wrong they are.  I’m not a professional developer, more of a hobbyist. I like to generally have a single small project at a time to spend my weekends and mental energies on and then move on to a new one in a year or two, but if you live long enough this adds up to quit a bit of experience. So in the last six month I have actually physically inspected 11 properties. Of those 4 where interesting enough to pull the parcel maps and legal description and go find the pins (boundary monuments if you prefer). That’s 21 pins on four different parcels. You do that every couple of years and you develop a method that works, but I’m starting to show the years and my knees aren’t what they used to be. So what has always been a fun afternoon in the woods playing detective sometimes now just becomes a pain the rear. So updating the method to make it easier is looking good. During all those years I have never had a boundary dispute. Why? Because as I mentioned, when in doubt at all, I hire a pro and then try and meet with the adjoining prop owner before altering the ground. 

So again, sorry for hitting the hot buttons by not thinking and a heart felt thank you for all of the people that took the time to reply.