When you’re buying, developing, or dividing land, a Boundary Survey isn’t something to simply check off a list. It’s a guide to understanding your property, its boundaries, and any land-use restrictions that apply.
Our purpose is simple but powerful: Securing the land where we live, work, and play. Whether you’re a lender, title professional, developer, or property owner, our goal is to empower you with fast, accurate surveys and inspections so every deal moves forward with confidence.
What Is a Boundary Survey?
A Boundary Survey is the most precise way to determine exactly where a property begins and ends. It identifies property lines, corners, and dimensions, and it can also reveal easements, rights-of-way, and setback lines that affect how the land can be used.
Unlike a Mortgage Location or Surveyor Location Report (SLR), which offers a limited snapshot for transaction purposes, a Boundary Survey provides legally defensible measurements and is often required for:
- Construction projects (fences, additions, new builds)
- Resolving disputes over property lines
- Land division or consolidation
- Securing building permits
- Ensuring compliance with zoning and setback regulations
When You Need a Boundary Survey
You should consider ordering a Boundary Survey if you:
- Are installing a fence, driveway, or other improvement near a property line
- Are experiencing a dispute with a neighbor over boundaries
- Need to confirm acreage or lot size in legal documents
- Are subdividing land into smaller parcels
- Are buying property without clear or recent survey records
- Are applying for permits that require proof of property lines
If it involves the exact location of land boundaries, or the ability to prove them, a Boundary Survey is your best tool.
What to Expect During the Boundary Survey Process
At McSteen, we make the Boundary Survey process smooth and predictable:
- Consultation & Scope
We review your needs, project type, and property details. Our team will advise whether a Boundary Survey—or another type of survey—best meets your situation.
- Research & Records
We examine deeds, plats, prior surveys, and public records to establish a historical baseline.
- On-Site Fieldwork
Our licensed surveyors use high-grade GPS, robotics, and drone technology to capture exact measurements and map your property.
- Boundary Analysis
We reconcile field data with legal descriptions and historical documentation to identify property lines and corner points.
- Final Deliverables
You receive a signed survey plat showing boundaries, dimensions, and any visible encroachments or easements. We review findings with you and answer questions so you fully understand your property limits.
The Boundary Survey Process at McSteen
At McSteen, we make the Boundary Survey process smooth and predictable. Every survey goes through a careful sequence of steps that ensure accuracy, efficiency, and clarity in the final product.
1. Quote Request & Approval
The process begins when you reach out with your property address and the reason for your survey—whether it’s for a home improvement project, a lot split, staking, or resolving a property line concern. This helps us tailor the scope to your needs.
Before sending a quote, we perform preliminary research using GIS and parcel data to ensure accuracy in pricing. You’ll receive a clear proposal for approval, which you can sign electronically. Once approved, your survey is routed into our workflow and ready to begin. (Typical time: 1–3 hours)
2. Research & Records
Our team gathers and reviews deeds, plats, prior surveys, easement records, and surrounding parcel information. This establishes a strong historical foundation, ensuring nothing that could impact your boundary is overlooked. (Typical time: 2–4 hours)
3. Pre-Calculations (Pre-Calcs)
Before going on-site, our technicians build an AutoCAD “roadmap” of the property and surrounding parcels. They highlight key monuments, pins, and road markers the field crew will need to locate. This prep minimizes costly return visits and ensures the field team knows exactly what to look for. (Typical time: 2–4 hours)
4. Field Data Collection
Our field crew heads to your property with advanced GPS and robotic technology. They locate both pre-identified monuments and additional reference points to capture a complete picture. Crews also collect detailed measurements of your parcel and surrounding parcels to ensure the office team has all the data needed. (Typical time: 8–40 hours, depending on property size and complexity)
5. Calculations (Calcs)
Back in the office, survey technicians and licensed surveyors reconcile all the field data with the historical records. Using AutoCAD, mathematics, and professional judgment, they determine where boundary lines and corner points lie. This includes resolving conflicts between deeds, evaluating monument strength, and applying principles of survey law. (Typical time: ~8 hours)
6. Drafting
The drafting team translates calculations and field data into a clear, precise survey plat. All relevant monuments, parcel information, and supporting evidence are shown, but organized so the drawing is understandable—even to someone new to reading surveys. (Typical time: 8–24 hours)
7. Final Review & Deliverables
Finally, the licensed surveyor performs a thorough review, confirming that research, calcs, and drafting align with professional standards. Once satisfied, they stamp and sign the survey.
You receive a finalized survey plat that clearly shows your property boundaries, dimensions, and any visible encroachments or easements. Our team reviews the findings with you and answers questions so you fully understand your property limits. (Typical time: 4–8 hours)
Result: A survey that’s accurate, defensible, easy to understand, and backed by McSteen’s 55+ years of expertise.
How to Read your Boundary Survey.
The McSteen Difference
When choosing a surveyor, there are a variety of factors to consider, including experience, trust, speed, and expertise. Here’s how McSteen stands out:
- Pioneering Technology – We invest in the right tools, such as robotics and custom job tracking software, to deliver accurate surveys on time and at the right price.
- Helpful, Consultative Approach – We spend as much time guiding clients to the right solution as we do surveying, sometimes even referring them elsewhere if that’s in their best interest.
- Integrity First – We put relationships over profit, prioritizing transparency and fairness in every project.
- Proven Expertise – With over 50 years in the industry and a footprint covering all 88 Ohio counties and 24 Indiana counties, we know local requirements and terrain inside and out.
- Responsive Service – Our team communicates clearly, sets expectations, and meets deadlines, so your project stays on track.
Protect Your Property with Confidence
Whether you’re settling a boundary dispute, preparing for construction, or simply want to know exactly what you own, a Boundary Survey gives you the clarity you need. At McSteen, we combine precision, technology, and a consultative mindset to make the process easy and reliable. Request a quote today.