How Much Does a Home Land Survey Cost

If you plan to buy or sell land, you must have come across a term called “Land Survey.” But do you really need one? How much does it cost? And what are the different types? These are some questions that might pop into your head.

Well, today is a good day if you want to learn about land surveys, as today we will look at what it is and how much it costs.

So let’s dive right in!

What is a Land Survey?

A land survey is performed to map out a piece of land’s shape and limits. It is a precise depiction of the parcel’s measurements as well as any physical characteristics, both natural and man-made.

How Much Does a Land Survey Cost

If you hire a professional agency or agent to conduct a land survey, you will find different land surveys for your property. The cost can vary based on the type of land survey you choose. Let’s take a look at some of the common types of land surveys and how much they cost:

Boundary Survey

The boundary survey is the most basic land survey you can get done for the property. In fact, it is one of the most basic services when someone buys a new home or breaks ground on new construction.

This land survey locates and marks all the corners and property lines of the parcel of land. In this survey, the surveyor will use both recorded deeds and physical markers to mark the property lines of the parcel of land. People use this to settle legal disputes, locate easements, or for personal records.

Cost: Although the cost of the survey depends on various factors, a boundary survey will cost you anywhere around USD 100-600.

ALTA Survey

Next up, we have the ALTA survey, and ALTA stands for American Land Title Association. This survey usually comes into play before the purchase of a new property or a new home.

Essentially, this survey provides the required survey data to the lender or the title company so that ALTA can issue title insurance for the property. It might also be referred to as a mortgage survey in many regions.

Cost: The average cost of an ALTA survey is start somewhere from USD 500.

Topographic Survey

As the name suggests, a topographic survey lays out all the natural and man-made features of the property. This might include any buildings, roads, rivers, ponds, fences, trees, ditches, and utilities. You might not need a topographic survey if it is just a small home. It is generally used by architects and engineers when they work on property improvements.

Cost: The cost of a topographic survey might range from USD 400 to 900, depending on many factors.

Location Survey

Next up, we have the location survey; this is very similar to the boundary survey, except it has the inclusion of site improvements. Site improvements include streets, roads, parking facilities, sidewalks, drainage structures, utilities, etc. The location survey contains information related to the location and size of improvements and the distance measurements between them and the property lines. People generally need this to get zoning permits or for a loan application.

Cost: If the property is under 10,000 square feet, then a location survey will cost you around USD 200-700

Mortgage Survey

A mortgage survey is a lot similar to an ALTA survey. You will need a mortgage survey when you buy a new property. Basically, this survey provides information about the structure of the property. Then it also verifies the land and property title owners. The survey is important as it also verifies that the property you buy follows all the local building and zoning codes before the purchase occurs. This survey helps the buyers to make sure that they know what they are paying for.

Cost: A mortgage survey costs between USD 250-500 and is usually covered under the mortgage finance process. 

Subdivision Survey

When a piece of land gets divided into smaller pieces(also called lots), the subdivision survey comes into play. The important thing to know here is that the record of a subdivision survey must be kept with a government agency(both local and state), and it must be filed in the land records with the recorder’s office.

Cost: A subdivision survey costs between USD 300-400 per lot.

As-Built Survey

An as-built survey reflects how your property looked at one point in time if you’re beginning a significant house or landscaping development project—this 3D graphic with more information than a basic plan.

Cost: The cost of an as-built survey ranges from USD 200-1200.

That is all about land survey and how much it costs. The cost varies depending on different factors and the type of survey you choose for your land. If it is just a land survey for a home, then the land survey cost would be anywhere from USD 200-600. We hope this guide helps you understand land surveys.