If you are planning on engaging an architect for a new build or new development, it would be advisable to get a topographical survey done.
Most people only need to think about hiring a land surveyor a few times in their lives, so for many people they can be rather an unknown quantity as they have little experience about the criteria needed in deciding who to hire.
Treat hiring a land surveyor with the same care and attention as any other expensive professional service. Contact possible surveyors to talk about your requirements and choose one who you think best meets your needs.
Ideally, your surveyor will communicate efficiently and promptly, have a professional demeanour and years of expertise in your required field.
Surveyors have varying areas of expertise; such as topography, construction layout, mapping, boundaries, and geodetic.
There are also engineering surveyors.
Think about the kind of survey that you need.
A good surveyor will be prepared to explain to you how they intend to conduct the survey.
Preparing a scope sheet of your requirements is an excellent idea.
This should include what needs to be picked, your timescale requirements (usually survey drawings are returned within 7-10days) and what you want at the end.
Quotes
The cheapest quote is not always the best. It may seem that one land survey is similar to another, as long as it’s conducted by a licensed surveyor, but this is not always true.
Licensing and Insurance
Licensing and insurance are crucial when hiring a land surveyor. Make sure the surveyor is properly licensed and meets all requirements, including further training. If not, the survey will not be valid. Professional liability insurance is also necessary, as it can cover costs in case of a mistake in the survey.
Areas of Expertise
While any surveyor can handle simple boundary surveys, it’s worth finding a surveyor with relevant expertise for more complex surveys. Communicate with your potential surveyor about your land and requirements. They might want to see the land before committing further. Check if your surveyor is up-to-date with the latest surveying technology, such as CAD and GPS.
Contracts and Payment
Request a written contract before work begins. This is standard practice in land surveying and should make fees transparent. Some fees are charged by the hour, while others are based on the whole project. Clarify when payments should be made, such as half before the survey starts and the remainder when finished. Ensure you understand the scope of work, the amount to be charged, and when fees need to be paid before signing the contract.
Finally, once the land survey has been completed, the surveyor should be happy to accompany you on a tour of your land to show you the permanent boundary markers that were used, and anything else that needs to be noted.
Hopefully, you will have selected a professional and highly-skilled surveyor who will be prepared to answer any final questions that you might have.