When Is A Surveyor Needed?
- When land is bought or sold.
- Before land is divided.
- If a line or corner location is unknown or in dispute.
- If money-lending agency requires a survey.
- Before constructing a building or fence.
- Before conveying a lot from a larger tract and the lot has not been surveyed.
- Before cutting timber near a property line.
- When you believe someone is encroaching on your land.
- Establish easements and right-of-way.
How Much Will My Survey Cost?Many factors involved: - Purpose of the survey and equipment needed.
- Deed research required.
- Number of unknown corners.
- Existence of fences.
- Vagueness of descriptions.
- Number of acres.
- Terrain and vegetation.
- Accessibility.
- Liability.
- If the surveyor has made other surveys in the area.
- If there are disputes over any lines.
- You should receive from the surveyor schedule of rates travel and mileage expenses, cost of marker, paint, etc..
- The surveyor may be able to give you an estimate of total cost, or a "high" or "low" figure, but he may not be bound by those figures.
- Low cost surveys can be poor surveys. A good survey that meets your need and legal requirements may cost more but will be less expensive in the long run.
What Can A Surveyor Do For Me? - Examine your deed and those of adjoiners and look for evidence on the ground to see if there are problems.
- Advise if you actually need a survey.
- Find and mark your corners properly.
- Mark and paint lines.
- Survey subdivisions, establish new corners and markers.
- Make contour maps and show the elevations.
- Locate oil/gas wells, buildings, fences, right-of-way, encroachments, other possession evidence.
- Inform interested parties of the progress and results.
- Cooperate with your attorney, realtor, banker,engineer or architect.
- Appear in hearings as an expert witness.
What Does The Surveyor Need From Me? - The purpose of the survey.
- Your deed or a copy of it or the Book and Page where it is recorded in the County Clerk's Office, any Plats you have and information about location of corners and lines.
- Brief history of ownership.
- Name and address of adjoiners.
- Information about disagreements over location of corners and lines.
How Can I Obtain The Services Of A Licensed Land Surveyor? - Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors Website www.taps-inc.com Click on Surveyor and search by license land surveyors, Phone: 615.860.9311 or e-mail us at tapsinc_@bellsouth.net
- Consult yellow pages of telephone directory.
- Ask someone who has employed a surveyor.
- Ask the Register of Deeds or attorney.
What Should I Receive From The Surveyor?- Work done in accordance with State laws, regulations and high standards of ethics.
- Plat(s) showing all necessary information for recording.
- A survey description that can be used in a deed.
- Itemized statement for professional services rendered.
What If I Have A Complaint About A Surveyor's Work? - Ask him to explain.
- If it is a serious complaint, contact the Tennessee Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors Tennessee Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors (tn.gov)l 500 James Robertson Parkway Davy Crockett Tower Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: 615.741.3611 Fax: 615.741.5995 Or e-mail morgan.calles@tn.gov
What Can I Do To Protect My Property Lines And Markers? - Inspect the lines occasionally.
- Retighten pipes and stone markers, do not relocate them.
- Repaint marked trees, pipes or stone markers every ten years.
- Record the plat and description even if land is not conveyed.
Caution For Landowners - Don't mistake preliminary traverse lines for true lines.
- Don't move or relocate markers.
- Don't seek the cheapest surveyor; select one who will do a satisfactory job for you.
- Contact the surveyor well before the survey is needed.