Who Pays for the Land Survey

Whenever you are trying to buy or sell a property, there is always an awkward moment when you have to ask the other party about who is paying for the land survey. While it is an awkward moment, it is also vital to know who pays for the land survey.

Since there is no written rule about it, there is always so much confusion. So today, we are here to clear the air. If you wonder who pays for the land survey, this is the right page. Let’s find out.

Understanding Land Survey

A land survey is an official measurement and mapping of the boundaries of a piece of land, including any buildings or other structures on it. The survey provides a detailed description of the property’s physical features, size, and boundaries. All of this information is crucial for many legal and real estate purposes.

Different Types of Land Surveys

Depending on the requirement, there are different types of land surveys. It all comes down to what type of survey you require and how much it will cost. Here are some of the common ones:

Boundary Survey

A boundary survey is the most basic and common survey that can be conducted on your property. This land survey locates and marks all of the parcel’s corners and property lines. The surveyor will use documented deeds and physical markers to mark the property lines of the land in this survey. This is used to settle legal issues, find easements, and save personal records.

ALTA Survey

The ALTA survey is up next. ALTA stands for American Land Title Association. This survey is normally conducted before acquiring a new property or a new house. This survey essentially supplies the necessary survey data to the lender or title business so that ALTA may offer title insurance for the property. In many areas, it is also known as a mortgage survey.

Topographic Survey

As the name implies, a topographic survey maps out all of the property’s natural and man-made characteristics. Buildings, roads, rivers, ponds, fences, trees, ditches, and utilities may all be included. You might not require a topographic survey if it’s simply a little house. It is commonly utilized by architects and engineers while working on home upgrades.

Who Pays for Land Survey

Now comes the million-dollar question, who pays for the land survey? The buyer or the seller? You see, no official or written rule states who will pay for the land survey. However, there is a common understanding that whoever wants the survey has to pay for it. For instance, if a buyer is requesting a land survey from you(a seller), then they will be responsible for paying the bill for the survey.

As a new buyer, you might not have the contacts or resources to hire a land surveyor. In that case, the property owner will order the survey on your behalf, but you will still have to pay for the survey. The bottom line is whoever wants the land survey pays for it.

Cost of a Land Survey

The cost of a land survey depends on a lot of factors. However, if we talk about the average cost of land survey for a small property, it can range between USD 100-600.

Factors Affecting the Cost

As mentioned earlier, there is no fixed price for a land survey. Many factors affect the cost of a land survey. Here are the major ones:

1. Type of Survey: You will find different types of land surveys in the market. They also come with different costs. For instance, a boundary survey is more affordable than an ALTA survey.
2. Property Size and Complexity: The size of the property and its topographic features also play a crucial role in the cost of the survey. The larger and more complex the property, the more time and resources it will take to survey, which can increase the cost. Usually, for land under an acre, the cost is anywhere around USD 0.50 to 0.70 per square foot.
3. Property Location: The location of the property can also impact the cost of the survey. Properties in remote or hard-to-reach areas may require additional time and resources to survey, and the surveyors include the cost of travel and consider the terrain type. All of these factors can increase the cost.
4. Surveyor’s Experience and Expertise: The experience and expertise of the surveyor can also impact the cost. Surveyors with more experience and specialized expertise may charge higher fees.
5. Additional Requirements: Additional requirements, such as obtaining permits or conducting research on the property’s history, can also add to the cost of the survey.
6. Timeframe: The timeframe for the survey’s completion also impacts the cost. If you need a survey to be completed quickly, then you will have to pay more to the surveyors as they might bring extra staff and allocate additional resources for your survey.

Need for Land Survey

A land survey might be required under the following conditions:

1. Real Estate Transactions: A land survey may be required when buying or selling a property to ensure that the property boundaries are accurate.
2. Property Disputes: You might need a land survey when there is a boundary dispute with a neighboring property owner.
3. Construction Projects: A land survey may be required to ensure that construction projects are within the property boundaries and comply with local building codes and zoning regulations.

That is all you need to know about who pays for the land survey. The bottom line is the person who asks for the survey will pay for it. We hope this guide helps you.