|
Scope of work
Surveying land is a process that begins with understanding the scope of work needed by a land owner. Are you building a fence? Buying a parcel? Having a dispute with a neighbor? Developing your land and dividing it into smaller parcels? Building a house and obtaining a loan? Drilling a well or building a structure near an old fence line? Needing a boundary description? Once I know what you are trying to accomplish, I can help you with the appropriate level of professional expertise. RESEARCH The next step is research. I obtain a copy of your deed which contains the boundary or "legal" description. The description tells me what I have to do to measure your land. Some descriptions are simple and easy to understand. Some are vague and full of contradictory information. A poorly written description makes it much harder to understand the intent of the author. In years past, boundary descriptions could be written by anyone, placed on a deed form from an office supply store, and recorded at the Recorder of Deeds office at the courthouse. Those are almost always poorly written. I have come across some that were completely meaningless gibberish. 
|
Research also involves finding other documents to help with the survey. The deeds of adjoining properties are obtained and studied. Previous surveys in the area are found (if there are any). All rural boundary surveys involve getting copies of the original plat and notes by the General Land Office (GLO). These surveys were done approximately between 1820 and 1845 in Dallas County. Even property in cities and towns are tied in some way to the original section corners set by the GLO. Typically, the GLO surveyors set stones at the corners of every square mile and at the halfway point between the corners in a township. The location of those corners is paramount in determining many boundary lines.
Research includes finding documents that define the boundaries of highways, roads, and easements. I look for records on file with the state, county, cities, and utility companies; virtually anything that might have a bearing on the location of the lines. FIELDWORK Finally, I come to the property and look for corner monuments, right of way markers, fences, roads, topographic features, and other points of reference. I measure between them and tie them together using tapes, total stations, and GPS instruments. I put the information in a computer, analyze the measurements and calculate the positions of the corners we need to set. If everything works out, I drive an iron rod in the ground at the corners and place a cap with my name and license number on it. Depending on the original scope of work, that may be all I need to do in the field but the survey still isn't finished. 
|
