About Surveying

This type of survey is made in order to recover boundary lines of an existing parcel of land according to a valid legal description, or to create a new boundary.

• When buying land, to protect the investment you are about to make.
• When selling land, to insure that you are selling just that part intended.
• When land is not clearly defined by a plat or legal description.
• Before land is divided by a deed, a will, or by a court.
• When a lending agency requires a survey, for mortgage purposes.
• Before a building, house, or fence is built close to an indefinite property line.
• When purchasing title insurance.
• When a line or corner location is unknown or in dispute.

The following factors help determine the final cost of a survey.

• The type of survey, personnel, and the equipment required.
• The amount of courthouse research required.
• The number of unknown property corners.
• The existence of building, fences, and other improvements.
• The clarity/vagueness of the legal description.
• The amount of land involved.
• The nature of the terrain.
• The accessibility of the land and the amount of vegetation on it.
• Disputes over property lines.
• Cost of the materials required to complete the survey.

• Advise you whether or not you need a survey.
• Find your property corners and mark them properly.
• Establish new property lines.
• Make topographic contour maps and determine elevations.
• Locate improvements, encroachments, and evidence of possession.
• Advise and cooperate with your attorney, title insurance company, broker, engineer, or architect.
• Appear in court as an expert witness in a lawsuit.

• The exact purpose of the survey.
• A legal description of your property or the document number of where it is recorded at the Register of Deeds Office.
• A brief history of ownership and past conveyances, abstracts, or title opinions.
• Any information regarding disagreements over the location of property corners or lines.
• An agreement as to who is to pay the cost of the survey, and when.
• A copy of title examination notes.
• A copy of easements (both recorded and unrecorded) that affect your property.

• A copy of the survey/plat with a certificate of survey.
• A legal description of the survey that can be used in the preparation of a deed.

• Check with the State of Wisconsin...Has your land surveyor been reprimanded for acts unbecoming of a Registered Land Surveyor?
• Make sure your land surveyor has set all corner as indicated on the map/plat.
• Inspect your property lines occasionally.
• Allow adequate time to research and plan your project by contacting the land surveyor well before the survey is needed.
• The services of a Registered Land Surveyor will cost you less time and money that the cost of moving a fence, building, or a dispute with a neighbor.