Before installing a fence, adding a shed, or making improvements to your backyard, it’s important to know exactly where your property begins and ends.
Most homeowners don’t give much thought to their property lines until they’re planning a project or have a question about their land. You might assume the existing fence marks the boundary, or that the property lines shown on your county auditor’s website are accurate enough to plan around. But that’s not always the case.
A Boundary Survey gives you a clear picture of your property’s legal boundaries, so you can make informed decisions about how to use your land. Whether you’re planning a home improvement or trying to settle a question about a shared property line, understanding what a survey involves can help you determine your next step.
What Is a Boundary Survey?
A Boundary Survey is a professional land survey that determines the legal boundaries of a property. It establishes the location of property lines and corners using recorded property information, on-site measurements, and other physical evidence.
A licensed surveyor reviews deeds, subdivision plats, and available survey records, then compares that information with measurements and boundary markers found on the property. The completed survey includes a drawing that documents the property’s boundaries and dimensions.
Unlike the property maps available online, a Boundary Survey is based on professional research and fieldwork. It provides the information homeowners need when the exact location of a property line matters.
Related Reading: How to Read a Boundary Survey
When Do You Need a Boundary Survey?
Homeowners order Boundary Surveys for a variety of reasons, but most involve planning improvements or answering questions about property lines.
Installing a Fence
One of the most common reasons to order a Boundary Survey is to install a fence. Before your contractor starts digging post holes, you’ll want to know where the property line actually falls.
An existing fence isn’t always a reliable guide. It may have been installed inside the original property line, or it could extend onto neighboring land. A Boundary Survey helps you plan the placement of your new fence without relying on assumptions.
You’ll also want to check local fence regulations and any homeowners association requirements. Knowing your property lines is an important first step, but other rules may affect where you can build.
Building a Shed, Garage, or Home Addition
If you’re planning to build on your property, you’ll need to consider how close the new structure can be to your property lines. Local zoning requirements often establish minimum distances, known as setbacks, between structures and property boundaries.
A Boundary Survey establishes the property lines you need to reference during the planning process. Depending on your project and local requirements, you may also need a site plan or additional survey work before construction can begin.
Planning a Pool or Backyard Renovation
A new pool, retaining wall, patio, or major landscaping project can change the way you use your outdoor space. Before committing to a design, it’s worth understanding the boundaries of the property you’re working with.
Easements and local building requirements may also affect your plans. If you’re considering a project near the edge of your property, discussing the details with your surveyor early can help determine what information you’ll need.
Clarifying Property Lines
Sometimes homeowners simply want to know where their land ends. Maybe an old boundary marker is missing, a neighboring property has changed hands, or there’s a question about the location of a shared fence.
A Boundary Survey can help clarify the situation by establishing the property lines based on legal records and surveying evidence. If there’s a disagreement with a neighbor, the survey provides useful information about the boundary, although questions involving legal ownership or property rights may require additional guidance.
What Does a Boundary Survey Show?
A completed Boundary Survey includes a drawing of the property that identifies its legal boundaries, dimensions, and corners. The surveyor also locates or sets property corner markers as appropriate, making it easier to identify the boundaries on the ground.
Depending on the scope of the survey, the drawing may include existing structures, fences, driveways, or other improvements near the property lines. Recorded easements and rights-of-way may also be shown when that information is included in the work requested.
Not every Boundary Survey includes the same level of detail. If you’re planning a specific improvement or have concerns about a particular part of your property, let your surveyor know when requesting a quote. That helps ensure the survey addresses what you actually need.
How Does the Boundary Survey Process Work?
If you’ve never ordered a Boundary Survey, you may be wondering what happens after you request one. While every property is different, the process generally follows a few steps.
- Requesting a quote. Start by sharing your property address and explaining why you need the survey. Whether you’re installing a fence, planning an addition, or trying to locate a property line, that information helps McSteen determine the appropriate scope of work.
- Researching the property. Before fieldwork begins, the surveying team reviews available deeds, plats, previous surveys, and related property records. This research helps establish the information needed to determine the boundaries.
- Completing fieldwork. A survey crew visits the property to take measurements and locate existing boundary evidence, such as iron pins or other survey monuments. McSteen uses modern surveying equipment, including GPS and robotic technology, to collect field data.
- Preparing the survey. A licensed surveyor evaluates the field measurements alongside the property records, determines the boundary locations, and prepares the final survey drawing alongside the drafting team. Property corners are marked as appropriate.
The amount of work required depends on the property. A residential lot with clear records and accessible boundary markers may be more straightforward than a larger property with difficult terrain or conflicting records.
How Much Does a Boundary Survey Cost?
Boundary Survey costs vary because no two properties are exactly alike. The size and shape of your lot, terrain, available property records, and existing survey monumentation can all affect the amount of work involved.
For example, a small residential lot in an established subdivision may be less complicated to survey than a large wooded property with missing monuments or an older legal description. Additional research or fieldwork can also affect the price.
At McSteen, Boundary Surveys are quoted based on the property and the work requested. When you reach out, providing your address and a brief explanation of your project helps our team evaluate your needs and prepare an appropriate quote.
Request a Boundary Survey quote from McSteen.
Can You Find Your Property Lines Without a Survey?
If you’re curious about your property boundaries, your county auditor’s website is a reasonable place to start. Many counties offer online maps that show parcel shapes, lot dimensions, and other property information. You may also have an older survey in the paperwork from when you purchased your home.
These resources can be helpful for general reference, but they aren’t necessarily accurate enough to determine where a property line falls on the ground. County GIS maps are typically intended for informational purposes, and existing fences or landscaping features don’t establish legal boundaries.
You might also find what appears to be an old survey pin. While it could be useful evidence, a surveyor needs to determine whether it represents the correct property corner and how it relates to the other boundary information.
If your project depends on knowing the exact location of a property line, a professional Boundary Survey is the more reliable option.
Boundary Survey vs. Mortgage Location: What’s the Difference?
If you received a survey when you purchased your home, it’s worth checking what type of document you have before relying on it for a new project.
In Ohio, a Mortgage Location is commonly prepared during the real estate closing process. In Indiana, a similar report is called a Surveyor Location Report, or SLR. These reports are primarily used by lenders and title companies to evaluate property information during a transaction.
A Boundary Survey serves a different purpose. It establishes property lines through additional research, measurements, and professional analysis, making it appropriate when you need to locate boundaries for a fence, construction project, or other property improvement.
A Mortgage Location or SLR should not be used to establish property corners for construction. If you’re unsure which type of survey you have, McSteen can help you determine whether it meets the needs of your project.
How Long Does a Boundary Survey Take?
The time needed to complete a Boundary Survey depends on the property and the complexity of the work. Research, field measurements, boundary calculations, and preparation of the final drawing are all part of the process.
Some properties require additional investigation because there isn’t good survey monumentation in the ground, records are inconsistent, or the terrain makes access difficult. Scheduling and current workload can also affect the timeline.
If you’re planning a project with a contractor, it’s a good idea to request your survey early. That way, you can have the boundary information available before construction is scheduled to begin.
