How to work with a Land Surveyor

      Higgins Surveying
    Donald D Higgins, Registered Land Surveyor

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How to Work with a Land Surveyor
Depending on the project or issue, a land surveyor may be contacted by a realtor, a general contractor, an excavator, an architect or home designer, a homeowner, or an individual who is planning to build a new home. Each situation is different and the process can be confusing. Since we are usually the first person to visit the site of proposed new construction, all subsequent design work, excavation, and construction builds on the work we do. Here are some scenarios for each of these possibilities. Please also visit our F.A.Q. for more on commonly asked questions about surveying procedures.

Realtors
If a home for sale has a potential buyer, one of the contingencies before close of sale is usually to have the corners located and/or property lines flagged. This is not required by law, but the agent will often suggest this be done along with things like home inspection, septic pumping, etc. Although the homeowner/seller can call to authorize the survey, more often the client's realtor will contact the surveyor to request the survey and to specify how the project is to be billed when complete. Sometimes the work is billed through escrow, other times it is to be paid for by the seller or buyer. When the survey work is completed, we provide appropriate documentation and send an invoice detailing what we did. "Appropriate documentation" varies somewhat depending on the subdivision, how much detail an individual wants documented, and what we discover in performing the survey work.		What we need to know to get started:
		Who will be paying for the survey (name of seller or buyer) Where the final invoice is to be sent If billed through escrow: title company phone number & location, escrow officer name, escrow number, buyer and seller's last names If billed to individual, name and address of party who is paying Parcel ID Number and Lot Location (i.e., Lot Number and Sub Division Name) When the survey needs to be completed (let us know your closing date) Realtor's name and phone number
General Contractors
When beginning a project with a contractor, it helps for us to know your routine and what subs you work with. That enables us to schedule your work in a cost effective manner. In fact, while general contractors often order survey work related to new house construction, sometimes the excavator contacts us instead. That can also save money in that we mayb be more accurately able to determine how many trips we'll need to make if we talk it over with the excavator first. In some instances, we might need to make numerous visit to the property. Initially, to topo the lot, then to locate the house on the property, orienting the footprint per the designer's specifications. This layout can be used for tree removal and excavation. Once the site has been cleared and excavated we layout so footings can be dug. We are often asked to come back after this to place reference nails in the bottom of the trench for vertical steel placement. Another trip is usually required to place nails on top of footings soon after they are poured, and sometimes to reestablish corners knocked out during subsequent excavation. Further, once we have a house located on the property per the site plan, it is not uncommon for the homeowner to request changing the orientation due to personal preference, once they see the actual layout. It's helpful to us (and saves you $) if you schedule us to the site before block is delivered. The noise and activity those deliveries generate can get in the way of what we have to do for you, meaning that working around the block delivery takes longer to perform our work. Because we charge by the hour, this adds costs to total cost of the project. We take all of the possibilities above into consideration when estimating the total cost of your project.		What we need to know to get started:
		Property location Billing information Timeframe If a topo is required: needed contour intervals (typically 1 or 2 foot) views for house orientation what all areas to include: i.e., the building envelope only or specific part of the lot, location of rocks, vegetation and trees of specific diameter Who to send the topo to, if needed, and in what format (pdf, dwg, or dxf - note, we don't use AutoCad, but do use compatible software specifically for surveyors), and whether or not a hard copy will be needed.
Architects and Designers
In our varying topography in the Prescott area, house designs must take into consideration contours, drainage, views, rock outcrops and vegetation. Though a homeowner may purchase a set of plans, a designer or engineer may be needed to help site the home on the lot. If not, extreme costs for unnecessary excavation or plant removal may be incurred. Most architects will require a topographic survey before they can begin fitting their design onto the homeowner's property.
		What we need to know to get started:
		Property location Billing information Timeframe If a topo is required: needed contour intervals (typically 1 or 2 foot) views for house orientation what all areas to include: i.e., the building envelope only or specific part of the lot, location of rocks, vegetation and trees of specific diameter Who to send the topo to, if needed, and in what format (pdf, dwg, or dxf - note, we don't use AutoCad, but do use compatible software specifically for surveyors), and whether or not a hard copy will be needed.
Homeowners
Various situations may arise in which a home or property owner will contact us for survey work. Among these are: property line questions between neighbors acting as your own agent in selling your home fencing, wall or other additions to property, such as guest houses or garages identification of easements New home construction, in which the property owner is acting as his or her own contractor Depending on the homeowner's understanding of the process, we may be able to help save you time and money by explaining the usual course of action. Land surveyors have the legal right to access any property or remove landscaping (if necessary) in order to locate and verity property corners. This can be confusing and disturbing in cases where neighbors are in disagreement over a property line. Besides reviewing the sections above for realtors, general contractors and architects/designers, homeowners may on occasion need to consult an attorney for additional assistance and explanation.		What we need to know to get started:
		Property location (Lot and subdivision or parcel ID number) Billing information Timeframe If a topo is required: needed contour intervals (typically 1 or 2 foot) views for house orientation what all areas to include: i.e., the building envelope only or specific part of the lot, location of rocks, vegetation and trees of specific diameter Who to send the topo to, if needed, and in what format (pdf, dwg, or dxf - note, we don't use AutoCad, but do use compatible software specifically for surveyors), and whether or not a hard copy will be needed. If we are simply to locate corners or flag your property lines, please specify. © Higgins Surveying 1567 Shoup St. Prescott, AZ 86305 928-445-4724 higg@cableone.net