As a Professional Land Surveyor, I always recommend a complete boundary survey to all my clients. Also, a title search completed to find all recorded encumbraces.
When it comes to land surveying, many property owners make the mistake of thinking that surveying just one boundary line is sufficient. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Surveying just one boundary line is a recipe for disaster and can lead to a host of problems, both legally and financially. In this blog post, we’ll explain why a full parcel survey is essential and why surveying just one boundary line is a mistake.
- It Doesn’t Provide a Complete Picture of Your Property
One of the main reasons why surveying just one boundary line is a mistake is that it doesn’t provide a complete picture of your property. A full parcel survey includes all property lines, as well as any other important visible features such as easements, rights-of-way, and encroachments. Without a full survey, you may not be aware of important issues that could affect your property, such as a neighbor’s fence that is built on your land or a utility easement that limits your use of the property.
- It Can Lead to Disputes with Neighbors
Surveying just one boundary line can also lead to disputes with neighbors. For example, if you’re only surveying the boundary line between your property and your neighbor’s property, you may not be aware of other issues that could lead to disputes, such as an encroachment or an easement. A full parcel survey can identify these issues and help to prevent disputes before they occur.
- It Can Affect Your Property’s Value
Surveying just one boundary line can also affect the value of your property. If you’re planning to sell your property, a full parcel survey can help to identify any issues that could lower the value of your property, such as encroachments or easements. Without a full survey, you may be selling your property for less than it’s worth.
- It Can Lead to Legal Issues
Surveying just one boundary line can also lead to legal issues. For example, if you’re only surveying the boundary line between your property and your neighbor’s property, you may not be aware of other issues that could lead to legal disputes, such as an encroachment or an easement. A full parcel survey can help to identify these issues and help to prevent legal disputes before they occur.
- It Can Affect Your Insurance Coverage
Surveying just one boundary line can also affect your insurance coverage. For example, if you’re only surveying the boundary line between your property and your neighbor’s property, you may not be aware of potential hazards or flood-prone areas that could affect your insurance coverage. A full parcel survey can identify these issues and help you to obtain the correct insurance coverage for your property.
- It Can Affect Your Building Permits and Zoning Compliance
Surveying just one boundary line can also affect your ability to obtain building permits and comply with zoning regulations. Local building codes and zoning regulations often require a full parcel survey to ensure that a proposed building or development project complies with local laws. Without a full survey, you may be denied a building permit or face penalties for non-compliance.
- It Can Affect Your Mortgage Approval
Surveying just one boundary line can also affect your ability to obtain a mortgage loan. Lenders often require a full parcel survey to ensure that a property is free of any title issues or encumbrances that could affect their ability to foreclose on a property in the event of a default. Without a full survey, you may be denied a mortgage loan or be required to obtain a more expensive loan.
In conclusion, surveying just one boundary line is a recipe for disaster. It can lead to disputes with neighbors, affect your property’s value, lead to legal issues, affect your insurance coverage, affect your building permits and zoning compliance, and affect your mortgage approval. A full parcel survey is essential to ensure that you have a complete picture of your property and can protect your investment. It’s important to hire a licensed land surveyor and schedule the appointment, prepare the property and review and submit the certificate once completed.
Tucker Engineering is a civil engineering and land surveying company with more than 25 years of experience in Alabama. We have a team of highly experienced and skilled surveyors and engineers that will assess you and give you a personalized quote for your property. Ready to get started? Contact us today!
