Precision Land Surveys and Geomatic Solutions

Requesting a proposal is simple. You can either give us a call or fill out the form on our website. Our team will promptly respond to your inquiry and custom-design a proposal tailored to your needs. We’re here to make the process easy for you!

The more information that is shared the better. At the very least, we need to understand why you need a survey and the desired outcome. We also need to know what properties we will be working with. This information can be shared by parcel number, addresses, or a title report. Here at PorTerra Engineering, we are committed to tailoring our quotes to meet your specific needs.

An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, offered by Highland Surveying, is a comprehensive survey guaranteed to meet the rigorous standards required by ALTA and NSPS associations. They are commonly used in preparation for high-value real estate transactions. Other times that an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey may be needed is to remove certain exemptions from a Title Insurance Policy. They are almost always required by governing authorities for new development ventures that are wading through the land entitlement process. In some cases, we have even done ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys in order to prepare families’ estates. The standards set by ALTA and NSPS specify boundary monumentation, identification of utilities and rights-of-way, assessment of existing land improvements, and mapping of current zoning and land use regulations. Among other things these standards even get into the details for the use of other geomatic engineering tools such as photogrammetry. The survey results are compiled into a detailed report/plat map ready for the review of title companies, lenders, authorities and stake holders. With ProTerra Engineering, you can trust in the expertise, advanced technology, streamlined process, compliance, and comprehensive documentation that ensure your property has the protection and documentation needed to proceed smoothly and efficiently.

We wish there was a typical survey, but each survey comes with its own challenges. The survey duration can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of the project. A survey, in some cases, can be completed in a week for smaller projects. However, larger and more complex projects may require several weeks or even months, to ensure the highest level of attention to detail, discover relevant facts, and ensure accuracy. At ProTerra Engineering, we prioritize precision and thoroughness to offer the highest level of protection from your survey. Our team of experts will perform preliminary research to give the best expectation of timing with your project. In some rare cases, after hiring ProTerra, conflicting evidence discovered by your professional may extend specific project’ timelines. To guarantee the best results for our clients, we will explain how the findings may affect the project timing, if at all.

Absolutely! At Highland Surveying, we provide comprehensive surveying services for residential, commercial, government, and rural projects. Our commitment to precision, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence apply equally to all projects, regardless of their scale. Whether you’re planning a residential development, a commercial venture, or any other project, you can trust us to deliver exceptional surveying solutions tailored to your specific needs.

There are many factors that should be considered when selecting your professional. Some points that you may consider when selecting a Professional Land Surveyor or Geomatic Engineer could be the following: 

Are they Qualified: Just like selecting a doctor, a lawyer, or any other professional, Surveyors, and Geomatic Engineers become specialized in certain types of work. In some applications, a “specialist” will be the best option for your project. Here at Highland Surveying, we have the professionalism to recognize whether we are qualified for your project. If you have a project we don’t have a professional for; we will help connect you with the correct people for the job. 

Reputation: What has been other people’s experience with your professional on similar projects? Looking at previous projects and reviews from past customers may help you understand what kind of work and experience you will have as your project progresses. Here at Highland Surveying, we care about your experience and want you to have confidence in our work, which is why we offer services tailored to your needs and love to share our past projects. All to earn your thumbs up.  

Professional Liability Insurance: Did you know a survey error could cost you millions? In Professional Land Surveying and Geomatic Engineering, there may be one or two ways to do something correctly, but there are infinite ways to make costly errors. This is why, here at Highland Surveying, we focus on having a quality-based product. We have strict standards and peer reviews from external trusted professionals to prevent the possibility of an insurance claim. Before proceeding, it may be a good idea to talk with your professionals about their Liability Insurance and quality control process. Verifying that their coverage will be adequate for your project in case of an issue may give you peace of mind to move forward.

Equipment and Technology: In the last 30 years, Surveying and Geomatic Engineering equipment have entirely revolutionized the industry. Selecting a professional that is up to date with the latest technology means they may be able to give you the highest quality data that is reliable and repeatable. It also may enable them to complete the project faster since the latest equipment and technology have been refined to be more efficient than their predecessors. Here at Highland Surveying, we LOVE INNOVATION and pushing the boundaries of possibility. This is why we have invested in the latest equipment and technology to offer the best results to our clients. 

Timeline: Something to consider is the timing quoted by your professional and their track record for completing projects on time. A survey or deliverables from a geomatic engineer are likely the first step in your project and foundation and are the foundation for your project. Delays in your survey could have costly effects on the later stages of the project. Here at Highland Surveying, we understand the consequences of not meeting deadlines. This is why we do research on the front to give our best estimation of timing and we stick to it. We don’t sugarcoat our timelines to win a project. We value being realistic as the best way to protect our clients and potential clients from project delays.    

Communication: The ability of your professional to communicate or their willingness to communicate with you may be a significant factor in your selection process. If your professional locates a problem that needs your attention, can they convey the information in a way that all parties can understand? In the world of Wild Land firefighting, every tragic fire (a fire that caused a fatality) had a factor of a breakdown in communication, together with a unforeseen change in circumstances, or an unanticipated problem. Here at Highland Surveying, we understand the tragedy that can come from a breakdown in communication. We will be there to answer the phone, respond to emails, attend meetings, and communicate clearly to prevent a tragedy. 

Understanding of Local Laws and Regulations: Since surveying errors can be so costly in their damages to a client and the public, there are strict laws and regulations and a standard of care that your professional must adhere to. Unfortunately, surveying is so technical, and the laws and regulations are so complex that it may be hard to know if your professional is adhering to the laws and regulations they should. Here at Highland Surveying, we know it is difficult for our clients to understand these laws and regulations, so we include the laws and regulations that our service will adhere to in every proposal. This includes National Laws, State Laws, City or County laws, and even regulations set by industry organizations, such as the Utah Council of Land Surveyors. Communication with your professional about how laws and regulations may affect your project and their ability to meet these requirements may give you confidence in their ability to meet your needs. 

Professional Affiliations: The involvement of your professional can have implications on their character and care in the direction the profession is heading. In addition, selecting a professional who is involved or recognized by professional organizations may signify their commitment to upholding industry standards. It also may imply that they are well-connected in the industry with other professionals they can call upon to help solve complex problems or their willingness to help others with their problems. Here at Highland Surveying, all of our professionals are active members of such organizations, with many even serving in leadership roles with these organizations.

Education: There is an ongoing debate on the effect of education on top-performing professionals. Studies have suggested that professionals with a higher level of education exhibit higher cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Having a higher level of education may also indicate that your professional has the discipline to work through complex problems. It may also indicate the amount of professional training your professional has sought, meaning that they care about improving their skills. At Proterra Engineering, we ensure our professionals have the hirer education for our service. We are so committed to our professionals having top education that we even provide the means to make it happen. When selecting your professional, it may be wise to understand their level of education and how proactive they are in continuing their education.

Cost: A survey cost can indicate many things about your Professional. A high cost may sometimes be associated with a better product or more care. When negating costs with your professional, it may be wise to understand where the costs are coming from. Does your professional have a high overhead cost, and you are paying for overhead? Or does your professional misunderstand the scope of work, and are you paying for work you don’t need? Understanding where some of the costs are coming from and being unified on the scope of services may help you understand the value that your professional is bringing. Here at Highland Surveying, we know factors relating to the cost and value of services. We want to share all the factors considered in determining a fee because doing so will help you see the value of service. 

Every company will have different factors that go into how they determine a cost, such as overhead factors or a matrix of the resources required. Here at Highland Surveying, we deliver value that exceeds monetary consideration. We do this because we know we are the value-based selection. We propose on every project with the intent to provide top-quality care. Some factors we consider when determining the value we provide are as follows.

Size of the Property: The larger property being surveyed generally means more work to complete the project. Larger projects may require more monuments for retracement. They also may have more lines that need to be retraced. Each line that needs to be retraced can add complexity because each line is unique in its creation. This means more research, drafting, and a more extensive report explaining the survey findings. 

Terrain and Accessibility: When the property is surveyed, the state of the property dramatically affects the cost. If your property has dense vegetation, it won’t be easy to gather unique data on the property. Or you may need topographic data over a commercial property with what seems like miles of curb, sidewalk, and other improvements.  This will add cost due to the time and expertise it takes to complete the scope of work. Your Professional Land Surveyor will also look for monuments that could be miles from your property. These monuments are sometimes in the middle of intersections of busy roads or remote areas only accessible by foot. In both circumstances, cost will be incurred to gather the spatial data needed to do the job correctly and safely.  

Past Survey Work: Did you know your Professional Land surveyor is also a historian? When you hire a Professional Land Surveyor to retrace your property boundaries, they must look for evidence through the ages to find the original points or build confidence that their marker is the most probable location for the original point. Many boundaries have been created without the benefit of a survey. In this case, to properly retrace, your Professional needs to gather enough data to determine the parties’ intent when the boundary was created. Other boundaries may have benefited from a survey and were created by a subdivision plat. In those cases, depending on the age of the survey, there may be no monument left from the original survey; your Professional Land Surveyor may need to retrace the entire subdivision for a proper retracement. Your Professional should know what is required and have the means to anticipate some of these issues. Ultimately, how the boundaries were created and how other surveys work in the area will determine the expertise required and the time needed for retracement, thus affecting the price.  

Project Scope: Some projects, such as a concept plan, could be completed without visiting the site. However, a detailed site investigation is required in every case for a boundary retracement. Other projects may need Geospatial Engineering in addition to a boundary retracement. An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey requires your surveyor to retrace Easements and the property boundaries. These factors determine the time and expertise needed to complete a quality product, thus affecting the price.

Equipment and Sofware: Did you know when your surveyor or Geomatic Engineer shows up to the subject property, they have 100 to 200 thousand dollars’ worth of equipment? Additionally, back at the office, the software needed to work efficiently with the spatial data costs tens of thousands of dollars. Of course, this cost gets subsidized across all the projects we work on, but we still need to ensure the equipment cost is covered, or we will not be able to meet your survey and geospatial needs. 

Project Timing: Have you ever heard the following matrix about the pricing of professional services? In paraphrasing, “If you want something done fast and cheap, it won’t be good. If you want something good and fast, it won’t be cheap. If you want something cheap and good, it won’t be fast.” Here at Highland Surveying, a product that is not good or, even best, is not an option. We want to meet your needs, so expediting our timelines will accrue more costs in overtime and risk factors.

Laws and Regulations: Sometimes, the survey may be straightforward, but working with the land use authority may be a pain. These laws and regulations can add cost due to the administrative work your professional will need to work through to complete the project.

Supply and Demand: Did you know the industry is under-saturated with Surveyors and even more under-saturated with Geospatial Engineers? The Department of Commerce has projected a 5% increase in the demand for the Professional Land Surveyor. This fact comes with the reality that the average age of a Professional Land Surveyor is 65. Only one Professional Land Surveyor is added to the market for every four Professional Land Surveyors who retire. Additionally, not just anyone can become a Professional Land Surveyor overnight. It takes years of education, passing the national and state exams, and years of professional training. This means the demand is growing while qualified individuals are declining, and it appears that it may be this way for a while. This adds to the cost in that your professional may be priced appropriately to ensure that they are only working with people who genuinely need their services or individuals who truly understand the value they are receiving from their survey. 

Expertise: Further on the reality of supply and demand, only one or two professionals may have the skills to fill your specific need. Every professional has varying levels of Professional training, Schooling, and experience. This reality may leave potential clients with a dilemma to proceed with a less qualified professional, pay more for the qualified professional, or have a longer wait time for the qualified Professional to get to their project. 

Risk: Even if the top-quality survey is produced, your professional could still end up in litigation. If a potential client calls and needs a survey because they are in a boundary dispute, your professionals’ risk of entering the courtroom increases. In most cases, a quality-based survey should resolve the issue. Regardless, the risk of being sued must be accounted for. Additionally, what is the survey being used for, and what might the cost be in the case of a survey error? Projects with plans to build a building right on the property line or have complex geospatial engineering solutions are considered riskier and will have a fee to cover the cost of Errors and Omissions insurance. In addition, a more strenuous quality control may be applied to help mitigate the risk for us and our client.

At Highland Surveying, several vital factors set us apart from our competitors:

Precision and Accuracy: We prioritize precision and accuracy in all our Surveying and Geomatic Engineering services. Our meticulous approach ensures that our data is reliable, trustworthy, and repeatable, setting the foundation for successful projects.

Efficiency: Our experienced team works efficiently to meet project deadlines without compromising the quality of our work. We understand the importance of timely results in the fast-paced world of Surveying and Geomatic Engineering.

Compliance: We adhere to all relevant regulations and industry standards, providing peace of mind to our clients. Our surveys and reports are meticulously conducted to ensure compliance with local and national requirements.

Data-Driven Decision-Making: We believe that informed decisions lead to successful projects. Our surveys equip you with the data to make well-informed choices, helping you avoid potential issues and challenges.

Advanced Technology: Our surveying processes leverage cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment. This commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements ensures the highest level of precision and efficiency in our work.

Timely Results: We understand the value of time in real estate and construction. Our streamlined survey process minimizes delays, ensuring that you receive the survey results you need within the required timeframe.

Comprehensive Documentation: We provide comprehensive documentation that meets the highest industry standards. Our reports are invaluable for title companies, lenders, and other stakeholders to understand the survey findings and why they are essential.

Certified Experts: Our team consists of Licensed Surveyors and qualified Geomatic Engineers with extensive expertise in the industry. Their knowledge and experience ensure that your project is executed meticulously and professionally.

Community and Growth: At Highland Surveying, we are not only dedicated to our clients but also to the communities we serve. We value community involvement and strive for continuous service growth and improvement.

Passion and Innovation: Our founder, Mr. Tyler Harper, instilled a culture of passion for innovation within our company all while trying to better the community in which we live. This culture drives us to think differently, solve complex problems, and deliver outstanding results.