Raymond Holmes, PLS, PP, CDT

7 Stratford Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Mobile: 908.693.0175

• Licensed Land Surveyor  •  Licensed Land Planner

• Licensed Real Estate Agent   •  Commissioned Notary

What to Expect from a Typical Land Survey

When do I need a land survey?

• When buying or selling land that is not clearly defined by a property map or deed description
• Before land is divided by deed, will or by a court
• If a money-lending agency requires a survey
• If a line or corner location is unknown or in dispute
• Before land is improved by constructing drives, fences, walls or buildings, it is desirable to know the location of the property corners and boundaries.
• When you believe someone is encroaching on your land

What can a surveyor do for me?

• Examine your deed and those of adjoining property owners and look for physical evidence of boundary conflict.
• Advise whether or not you actually need a survey
• Locate your property corners and flag them
• Establish corners and markers if not previously set
• Divide large tracts of land into smaller parcels
• Prepare plots and plans suitable for submission to various municipal approving authorities
• Make topographic maps showing elevations and natural and manmade physical features
• Locate wells, septic tanks, buildings, fences, rights-of way, encroachments and other evidence of possession
• Inform interested parties of progress and results
• Cooperate with your realtor, attorney, banker, title company engineer and architect
• Prepare legal Descriptions of Lands for conveyancing, and for use by attorneys in the preparation of deeds and other instruments for record
• Appear in court as an expert witness in a lawsuit
• Perform all work in accordance with State Laws and professional standards

What does a surveyor need from me?

• The purpose of the survey
• Copy of the deed
• Any property maps you have and information about the location of corners and property lines
• Names and addresses of adjoining property owners
• Information about disagreements over location of corners and lines

How much will my survey cost?

This depends on many factors:

• The type of survey equipment required. There are 8 types of surveys
  • BOUNDARY SURVEY
  • LOCATION SURVEY
  • TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY
  • SITE PLANNING SURVEY
  • SUBDIVISION SURVEY
  • CONSTRUCTION SURVEY
  • GEOGRAPHIC POSITIONING SYSTEM
  • ALTA/ACSM SURVEY
• The amount of deed research
• The number of unknown corners
• The existence of fences and property lines
• The clarity and accuracy of the deed description
• The size of the tract
• The kind of terrain
• The amount of vegetation
• Accessibility
• Whether the surveyor has made other surveys in the area
• Whether there are disputes over any lines

What does a typical NJ survey map look like?

• Download a typical NJ survey map with notes (PDF, 113K)