Common Land Surveying Questions

The following land-related projects require a land survey

  • Selling a property
  • Buying a property
  • Building, Fencing, or Adding on
  • Subdividing
  • Refinancing or obtaining a mortgage

Learn more about why each of these projects needs a land survey by visiting the “Why You
Need a Land Surveyor” section of our FAQ Page.

The following land-related projects require a land survey

  • Selling a property
  • Buying a property
  • Building, Fencing, or Adding on
  • Subdividing
  • Refinancing or obtaining a mortgage

Learn more about why each of these projects needs a land survey by visiting the “Why You
Need a Land Surveyor” section of our FAQ Page.

Only a licensed, professional land surveyor can perform a legal land survey.

A professional land surveyor is registered and licensed in the state in which he practices. In the State of New York, a professional land surveyor must be licensed and registered to New York Land Surveyors. Professional surveyors have completed academic requirements and practical training prior to licensure.

For some clients, there may be architects and or fence companies involved. As a result, a diagram is needed from the client to provide us with the correct location of the stakes for your project.

The client is responsible to file the survey with the appropriate local town, city, or government agency.

The land surveyor will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the extent of work your project requires, as well as what the survey means.

The cost of a land survey will vary greatly based on the many variables that exist for your individual project. The nature and extent of the work will directly determine the cost. Always request a quote and an expected date of completion before hiring a land surveyor.

In addition to providing you with a legal land survey, many land surveyors can serve as an expert witness in court to help settle a land dispute.

From the time it’s ordered, a normal survey can take anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks to complete. Inclement weather also plays a role in your survey’s timeline, as the weather can be a limiting factor for our teams that perform fieldwork.

With no changes to the property, it would be relevant for decades.

While a survey may seem expensive at first glance, the cost of the survey as a percentage of your total investment is quite trivial, and is a reasonable price to pay for peace of mind. Knowing the boundaries of your land.

Why Do You Need a Land Surveyor?

With a land survey you can:

  • Give your buyer confidence in the purchase
  • Allow your buyer to register the transaction at the County Clerk’s Office
  • Enable your buyer to make mortgage arrangements
  • Verify to your buyer the size and extent of the property
  • Avoid costly disputes from inadequate or inaccurate property descriptions. 

With a land survey you can:

  • Give your buyer confidence in the purchase
  • Allow your buyer to register the transaction at the County Clerk’s Office
  • Enable your buyer to make mortgage arrangements
  • Verify to your buyer the size and extent of the property
  • Avoid costly disputes from inadequate or inaccurate property descriptions. 

You should always get a land survey when buying a property so you can:

  • Know exactly what you are purchasing, which only a map from a licensed land surveyor can tell you.
  • Define your property through the required research of a proper land survey.
  • Understand the full rights of your property, including if people are entitled to partial use of your property through easements for utilities or right-of-way.
  • Reveal if fences, trees, buildings, gardens, embankments, driveways, walkways, swimming pools, or house additions are present on the property.
  • Know whether your deed describes your property accurately.
  • Receive protection in your purchase by revealing any encroachments or irregularities that may have resulted in a dispute.

Never build on your property before getting a professional land survey. The land survey will:

  • Help you protect your investment by ensuring your build only on your own property.
  • Prevent legal disputes and avoid incurring additional construction costs from a mislocated fence, driveway, or carport.
  • Determine your property boundaries and replace missing stakes if necessary.
  • Allow you to meet setback requirements and other restrictions enforced by the municipality in your zoning laws so that you avoid infringements.

Always get a land survey prior to subdividing because:

  • The surveyor will check and ensure the extent of title.
  • A professional surveyor can nose any planning restrictions, easements, and other legalities.
  • It allows you to engage other consultants to carry out preliminary studies like engineering, planning, and environmental issues to submit with draft plan.

Before refinancing or obtaining a mortgage, you should get a land survey because:

  • Mortgage companies typically require a survey before lending money to protect their investment.
  • To satisfy the mortgage company, you must provide an up-to-date survey with lot size, building, setbacks, pool, and fence locations meeting local zoning laws.
  • You must make sure that the land and buildings on which they are lending are described in the documents which accompany the transaction.

Ferrantello Group Experience

  • Licensure: New York State Licensed Land Surveyor LIC No. 50762
  • Licensure: New York State Licensed Land Surveyor LIC No. 50762

Associations- Frank is a Member of the following:

  • NYAPLS (New York Association of Professional Land Surveyors)
  • NSPS (National Society of Professional Surveying)
  • ALTA (American Land Title Association)
  • ACSM (American Congress of Surveying and Mapping)
  • NSCE & LS (Nassau-Suffolk Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors – (Board of Directors)
  • ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)
  • NYLTA (New York Land Title Association)
  • Land Surveying and mapping
  •  Construction layout and high-rise services
  • Property boundary line surveying
  • Expert witness surveying, mapping and testimony
  • Flood mapping and FEMA Certification
  • Site Planning and subdivision consulting
  • Site Inspections
  • Consultations

Rates are determined on a per-case basis and depend on the specific nature of the project. Please visit our website to request a quote for your specific project.