If you’ve got a large parcel of land, and you’re looking to sell it to a development company – or the government has offered to buy it out – chances are you’re wondering how to subdivide it.
To do so, you will need to hire a land subdivision surveyor. These surveyors take detailed measurements of your land’s area, and can help you subdivide it into smaller lots for sale.
If you do not want to sell all of your land – or you want to maximize profit by selling multiple lots – you will have to subdivide it. So, how can you get started with the process of hiring a land subdivision surveyor? In this guide, we’ll give you some helpful tips that will help you do just that!
1. Establish A Budget Based On The Size Of Your Property (And Its Condition)
You’ll need to know how much you can spend on a surveyor – before you actually hire one. Most surveyors will give you a quote, but having a budget in mind will help you avoid “sticker shock”, and ensure that you’ve got enough capital to afford the survey.
One thing that is often quite confusing when it comes to subdivision surveying is that the cost of a survey varies widely among different regions and areas, and it also depends on the condition of your property.
For example, a surveyor will likely charge less in a highly-populated area, and if your property is well-groomed. However, if you live in a more remote area, they’ll have to travel further, and if your property is overgrown, or otherwise difficult to get through, the cost will be higher.
For large parcels that are 5 acres or larger, most pros charge by the hour. You can expect to pay somewhere between $50-$220 per hour – more, if the survey crew requires two or more people, due to the size of your property. Also, you can often get lower rates for extremely large surveys, due to economies of scale.
2. Check That Your Company Is Registered With The State Licensing Board
You do not want to hire a surveyor who is not properly licensed by the relevant state licensing boards. Different states have different regulations regarding things like:
- Minimum lot size
- Setbacks
- Road size and width
- Types of corner marks to be used
- Allowable elevation changes
And other such guidelines that ensure your lots adhere to local and municipal zoning regulations.
To check and make sure that your surveyor is properly licensed, you can consult the State Licensing Board in your area. Each state has their own website for surveyors and engineers – and you can check with them to ensure that a prospective surveyor is licensed.
3. Know How Long A Survey Will Take – And Be Patient
A land survey involves multiple steps – and it can easily take days or weeks, based on your property, and the company you hire.
This is because surveyors must do initial research before even examining your property – such as going to a local municipal office and reviewing deeds, accessing documents at the courthouse, investigating potential property conflicts, researching the history of your property, and more. This process alone can take a few days.
In addition, physically surveying the property is a multi-step process. The surveyors must record information about fences, iron stakes, walls, and other such information and compare it to court records.
Finally, the actual survey is performed, which can take somewhere between a few hours and days, depending on the technology used, and the size of your plot of land.
You should ask any surveyor how long they think the project will take – and don’t be surprised if they say it could take anywhere from just a few days – or a few weeks. Be wary of any company that promises the fastest results – they may cut corners, which could cost you thousands of dollars in the long run. When hiring a land subdivision surveyor, patience pays off!
Follow These Tips – Know What To Expect From A Land Subdivision Surveyor
When selling your property, a land subdivision surveyor is one of the most important elements. So take your time when hiring to ensure you’re working with a great company – and your due diligence will pay off when it’s time to sell!
