How do I verify land survey accuracy?

How do I verify land survey accuracy?

“Is this survey accurate? Here’s how to prove it in 7 simple checks”

Why verifying land survey accuracy matters now

A wrong survey costs money, time, and lawsuits. Verify a property survey before you buy, sell, build, or fence. This guide gives a direct, step-by-step plan to confirm accuracy using legal documents, field checks, and professional validation.

Quick checklist to verify land survey accuracy

1. Confirm the surveyor is licensed and insured

• Look up the surveyor with your state/provincial licensing board.
• Verify the survey meets NSPS/ALTA or local standards for accuracy.

1. Check the survey date and scope

• Recent surveys matter. If older than 5 years, get an update.
• Identify whether it’s a boundary, mortgage/ALTA, or topographic survey.

1. Match the legal description and deed

• Verify the survey’s legal description matches the deed or title report exactly.
• Look for metes and bounds, lot numbers, and plan references.

1. Inspect monuments and boundary markers

• On-site, confirm iron pins, concrete monuments, or natural markers line up with the survey map.
• If markers are missing, ask the surveyor for a re-set or explanation.

1. Review surveyor notes and error tolerances

• Check accuracy statements, precision, and any stated closures or adjustments.
• Look for GPS/RTK vs. total station methods noted on the sheet.

1. Cross-check with municipal records and GIS

• Compare the survey to county plat maps, GIS parcel layers, and zoning maps.
• Note any discrepancies in easements, right-of-ways, or setback lines.

1. Validate boundaries with title and title insurance

• Ensure title commitments and exceptions match the survey.
• Consider ALTA endorsements if relying on boundary accuracy for a transaction.

1. Use a second opinion for high-risk cases

• Hire an independent licensed land surveyor for a peer check or re-survey.
• Ask for a field verification or stake-out before construction starts.

Red flags that mean the survey may be unreliable

• Missing surveyor stamp or license number.
• Vague or incomplete legal description.
• Monuments claimed but not present in the field.
• Large closure error or unspecified tolerances.
• Conflicts with municipal GIS, title, or neighboring surveys.

Final action plan — what to do next

1. Run the quick checklist above.
2. If anything fails, order a re-survey or independent verification.
3. Get written clarification from the surveyor and a corrected stamped drawing.
4. Add title insurance endorsements for transactions with boundary risk.

Reliable verification protects value and prevents disputes. If you need a trusted local authority to review your survey, contact Tony Sousa — an expert who coordinates survey verification, land title checks, and on-site inspections. Email: tony@sousasells.ca | Phone: 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca

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